Sermon column
The sermon column in Regensburg is an 8 m high stone monument in the style of a wayside cross , the creation of which in the 14th century is in the dark and gave rise to speculation. On the four sides of the shaft, 24 relief images with a variety of religious motifs can be seen on six cornices.
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location
Not far from the train station and the quickest way to get there on foot. From the train station to the north, take the western park path towards the cathedral, passing the rotunda of the Kepler monument in the park on the right and then straight ahead, barely a hundred meters away, the column on the opposite side of the street (Petersweg) can be seen from afar.
Surname
The name of the sermon column goes back to a legend which apparently was recorded by a monk from the Scottish monastery of St. Peter . Accordingly, after a three-day battle , Charlemagne won a victory over the pagan Hungarians off Regensburg. Before that, however, it was anything but good for the Christians, because they gave way to the Gentiles. Charlemagne, on his knees, called to God for help, who appeared in the form of a white-clad angel on a white horse, who put the heathen to flight with his sword. The 30,000 Christians killed in the course of the fighting are said to have been buried on Victory Hill. In addition, a church was built where Karl had begged God's help, which, according to the first seven monks of the Schottenkloster, was consecrated by St. Peter himself - hence the name "Weih St. Peter".
construction
The approximately 8 meter high sermon column rests on a cross-shaped base, with the beams pointing in the four cardinal directions. Between the bars, three steps symbolically lead upwards, where the actual column rises laterally offset from the base. The shaft forms six fields on each of the four sides, showing relief representations. At the top, the crucified Christ is enthroned on an octagonal pedestal with Mary and John at his side. In the two back fields at the top, angels blow to judgment, while Christ is depicted as judge on the front. The 12 apostles are shown in the three by four fields below. At the bottom of the row of fields is a man on a cart, accompanied by two naked figures embracing each other. In it you can see the figure of Elias. The scene depicts a biblical episode from Malachias (4, 5-6): “See, I will send you the prophet Elias before the day of the Lord comes, the great and dreadful one. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers (= Jews) to the children (= Christians) and the hearts of the children to their fathers. ”This thought of reconciliation is indicated by the embrace. Otherwise, the fields show a lion, who stands for the Antichrist, three kneeling people who look to heaven in faith and trust in God, an angel who separates good and bad with the sword and also the dead who rise from the graves.
Dating
It is not known exactly when the column came from, but it is believed to have been between the end of the 13th and the first half of the 14th century. The two restorations that were carried out in 1526 and 1858 make it more difficult to determine the age.
Origin of the legend formation
The origin of the legend of Charlemagne can be found in the "Gesta Caroli Magni" (report of Charlemagne's deeds) and goes back to the year 1270–1278. At that time, it was written by an Irish monk of St. Peter's Consecration, who used two models: One came from Italy and the other was probably based on orally transmitted stories in the Regensburg area.
Historical background
Charlemagne visited Regensburg several times and also held an imperial assembly here. There is also evidence of a skirmish against pagan Avars. However, the role of the Schottenkloster seems to be overly embellished and borders on glorification. The legend of the monk certainly contributed to the fact that the column, which was originally made of wood, was, as already mentioned, made of stone towards the end of the 13th or 14th century, as it is presented in its current form. The hill in the southwest of the city, which is now called "Ziegetsberg", was dubbed "Siegesberg" in the Middle Ages. The phonological similarity is not difficult to notice.
Alternative interpretation
In addition to the obvious religious significance, there also seems to be a second aspect. In the Middle Ages, the parish fair took place near the sermon column, a folk festival-like celebration followed by week-long fairs. In this regard, the cross could symbolize the market right granted by the king, including market jurisdiction. It is known from other cities that visually similar looking pillars were used to deliver judgments. The depiction of the last court on the column would also be suitable.
restoration
In June 1856, the board of the historic association spoke to Clemens Freiherr von Junker-Bigatto, among others, about the poor condition of the sermon column, who was responsible for a larger share in organizing the necessary funds for the restoration. The work was entrusted to the sculptor Hundertpfund and the master stonemason Pöverlein. It was also decided to move the column a few meters from the previous location towards the west in the middle of the crossroads of the two avenues in order to allow a better view.
Financing the restoration:
| Financiers | Financial resources | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Royal County Government | 187 guilders 59 kreuzers 2 pfennigs | 35.7% |
| Prince of Thurn and Taxis | 90 guilders | 17.1% |
| Trade body | 90 guilders | 17.1% |
| venerable clergy | 88 guilders 18 cruisers | 16.8% |
| City magistrate | 40 guilders | 7.6% |
| Bishop Valentin von Riehl | 20 guilders | 3.8% |
| Baron von Künsberg-Langenstadt | 10 guilders | 1.9% |
| an unnamed one | 15 Kreuzer 2 pfennigs | |
| 526 guilders 33 cruisers | ||
| Stone carvings | 399 guilders 2 cruisers | 75.8% |
| Sculpting work | 120 guilders | 22.7% |
| Other costs | 7 guilders 31 cruisers |
literature
- Endres, Josef Anton: The sermon column in Regensburg , Regensburg 1992 (ND from 1924).
- The sermon column in front of the consecration of St. Peter-Thore von Regensburg , in: Negotiations of the historical association of Upper Palatinate and Regensburg, Volume 19 (1860), pp. 351–355.
Individual evidence
- ^ Karl Bauer: Regensburg Art, Culture and Everyday History . MZ-Buchverlag in H. Gietl Verlag & Publication Service GmbH, Regenstauf 2014, ISBN 978-3-86646-300-4 , p. 557 .
- ↑ Endres, p. 163.
- ↑ Endres, p. 164.
- ↑ Endres, p. 164.
- ↑ Endres, p. 165.
- ↑ Endres, p. 168.
- ↑ Endres, p. 170.
- ↑ Endres, p. 171.
- ↑ Endres, p. 172.
- ^ Negotiations of the historical association, p. 353.
- ^ Negotiations of the historical association, p. 354.
- ^ Negotiations of the historical association, pp. 354–355.
Web links
Coordinates: 49 ° 0 '53.4 " N , 12 ° 5' 55.7" E