St. Jakob, Bamberg

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 9 October 2009 in Architecture.

This cross-shaped, columned basilica is well illuminated and has a clear beauty. Though looking very Baroque from outside, St. Jakob reveals its Romanesque origins as soon as you enter it. It is assumed that the first version of Bamberg cathedral, which was later developed into a Gothic church, very much looked like St. Jakob.

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Comments (13)

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

Much more simple but very nice church too.

9 Oct 2009 12:17pm

@akarui: And very bright inside, it was taking photos made easy. :-)

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

May be due to the white painted plaster or to the number of windows, this Romanesque church doesn't look as dark as the French one's.

9 Oct 2009 1:46pm

@António Pires: That's quite common here, old Romanesque churches were often painted white (or got a more natural finish) when they got a refurbishment. Not so the Neo-Romanesque ones; they are often very colourful (with exceptions).

B.Held from Santa Fe, United States

fantastic work!

9 Oct 2009 3:13pm

@B.Held: Thanks heaps, Brittany!

MARIANA from Waterloo, Canada

Wonderful picture !

9 Oct 2009 4:22pm

@MARIANA: Thank you!

Kulikowski from Ostroleka, Poland

Very nice perspective.

9 Oct 2009 6:49pm

@Kulikowski: Thanks so much!

Dawn from Maryland, United States

I have enjoyed looking at your pics of Bamberg and reminiscing, as I used to live there. This is a beautiful picture of this church. Perfect! : )

9 Oct 2009 6:55pm

@Dawn: It was really hard to leave that city, even after only 2 and a half days! To live there would not be the worst that could happen! :-)

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Good work.

9 Oct 2009 7:17pm

@Ana Lúcia: Many thanks, Ana Lúcia!

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

Perfect geometry and the lovely even light seems to wash right through the interior as if part of the design . .

9 Oct 2009 7:24pm

@Ronnie 2¢: That is most likely true, as this church is oriented westwards (like the cathedral), so the nave is optimally illuminated. There are no buildings around that would obstruct the sunshine.

Steven from Chicagoland, United States

Great capture and perspective. The fact that this basilica is well-illuminated explains why the light fixtures are rather small and simplistic.

9 Oct 2009 9:57pm

@Steven: That's possible, but most parishes try to use more understated illuminants, when appropriate. If this would be a Baroque church, you probably would see some flemish or Maria Theresia lusters.

willow from Chelsea, United States

Beautiful light and perspective! Love the repeating patterns.

10 Oct 2009 12:15am

@willow: Cheers, willow!

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

In its simplicity of shape and decoration it is a place for prayer and meditation, it does invite a soul to stop, rest and think.....I like the atmosphere and the even lighting, as well as the arched columns that seem to guard and enclose the community benches. A capture that satisfies both eyes and anima!

10 Oct 2009 6:18am

@Japanalia: After several modifications it had been carefully 'reromanized' in the 19th century. It is the only true Romanesque church of Bamberg that survived the ages.

Jen from Bartlett, United States

I love the perspective and the depth in this photo. Great job!

10 Oct 2009 2:32pm

@Jen: Thanks heaps, Jen!

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Looks somewhat modern to me from this view. Minus the arches and columns it looks like many US churches I've been in.

12 Oct 2009 6:48pm

@Twelvebit: Careful, there are differences between the styles, as I have recently learned: a basilica is different from a n-naved church, is different from a wall pillar church, is different from a hall church. I'll meditate on this as soon as there is time enough.

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