Bamberg Cathedral: Looking Westwards

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 4 October 2009 in Architecture.

The western choir at the end of the nave holds the area for bishop and chapter of the cathedral. The grave of Pope Clement II is located here as well as the bishop's cathedra and the great circular candelabrum.

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Comments (10)

Laurent from Lyon, France

Impressive view.
I notice that there is much more tourists than praying people... as in most cathedral nowadays

4 Oct 2009 5:27am

@Laurent: This was during the normal visiting hours. In most other churches we were almost alone, but the cathedral is the most famous one (world heritage), and so you will always find a lot of tourists. At high noon there was a short meditation, though.

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

Very good light here. The church is somewhat dark, with small windows, with the exception of the choir, perhaps indicating some succession of styles, from Romanesque to Gothic.
Normally, the choir stays on the eastern end of the nave.

4 Oct 2009 10:36am

@António Pires: This cathedral has two choirs: one for the bishop, one for the emperor.

Tracey from Maryland, United States

Wowzers! I love all the photogs with their heads raised to the ceiling. It just adds to the feel of great height in this image!

4 Oct 2009 11:33am

@Tracey: There are also some amazing statues attached to the pillars. We will have a closer look at them soon.

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

It is so imposing that I get a crushing feeling! I wonder how does one feel when, in addition, the organ is playing......most probably like a grain of sand!

4 Oct 2009 11:55am

@Japanalia: The somewhat cold mood is caused by the style 'purification' in the 19th century, when all Baroque interior had been removed. This has been a bit smoothed later, but in the Middle Ages this cathedral was much more colourful. Unfortunately nobody played the organ!

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

This view in the same church is very nice too. Good that you could go up a little.

4 Oct 2009 12:45pm

@akarui: The eastern choir is a bit elevated. Good for me! :-)

Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom

Excellent choice of viewpoint to show the expansive nature of the cathedral's interior.

4 Oct 2009 2:41pm

@Curly: The eastern choir is elevated and provides a good view. Thanks, Curly!

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

Excellent ! Fantastic framing !

4 Oct 2009 5:33pm

@MARIANA: Thanks very much, Mariana!

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

Very majestic with those strong verticals . . I like the clean traditional feel to this Cathedral.

4 Oct 2009 9:10pm

@Ronnie 2¢: Two hundred years ago it looked much softer, but the Baroque interior was removed in the 19th century due to a style 'purification'. A bit sad.

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

church architecture is sooo awesome through your lens!! :)

5 Oct 2009 4:01pm

@dj.tigersprout: Oh, thanks a lot! :-) But I'm not there, not for a long time yet.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Pretty well lit inside considering the construction.

7 Oct 2009 2:17am

@Twelvebit: This was shot with the brightest sunshine outside. Less would have made this series almost impossible (without I tripod that I didn't have with me).

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