Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp)

The Cathedral of Our Lady or Dutch Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal in Antwerp is the cathedral church of the diocese of Antwerp. The church is one of the highlights brabantischer architecture. Since 1999 she is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

History

Since the 10th century, was located on the site of the present cathedral, a Lady Chapel. In 1124 she was elevated to the rank of parish. In the 12th century the chapel was expanded into a larger Romanesque church was begun in 1352 with the construction of a new church in the Gothic style, with nave and six side aisles. 1521, the work was stopped. In a fire in 1533 the church was badly damaged. In the period following the Antwerp build them up again.

1559 the Diocese of Antwerp was founded and raised the church to the cathedral. On August 20, 1566 Calvinist iconoclasts destroyed a large part of the works of art and furnishings of the cathedral. 1581 Antwerp came under Protestant rule, which led to further destruction or sale priceless works of art.

As a result of the French Revolution French occupation troops raided the building in 1794. The cathedral was temporarily used as a cattle shed and suffered severe damage.

In the course of time the cathedral was changed several times and renovated since the late 20th century.

The interior

In the cathedral hang four paintings by Peter Paul Rubens.

  • The cross (1609-1610), table 460 cm x 340 cm, 460 cm × side panel 150 cm. The work in 1816 in the cathedral.
  • Assumption ( 1626 ), table 490 cm x 325 cm. The image was used as a replacement for an old altar.
  • The Resurrection of Christ ( 1612 ), middle panel 138 cm × 98 cm, side panel 136 cm × 40 cm, an image for the grave of Plantin Moretus family from Antwerp.
  • The Descent from the Cross ( 1612 ), middle panel 421 cm × 311 cm, side panel 421 cm × 153 cm, the image was created on behalf of the shooting and is one of the most famous paintings by Rubens and one of the most important masterpieces of Baroque painting. ( On the left outer wing of the St. Christopher can be seen)

The cross (detail), Rubens

The Descent from the Cross, Rubens

The Descent from the Cross (detail), Rubens

Cathedral of Our Lady, the Interior

Cathedral of Our Lady, the Interior

Madonna and Child, Master of the Maasland Marble Madonnas

Vertical panorama of the transept

Organs

In the cathedral there are two large organs.

The main organ was built in 1891 by organ builder Pierre Schyven (Brussels), funded by a donation from a community member. The instrument has received 90 registers on four manuals and pedal, and is largely in its original state.

  • Couplers: I / II, III / I, III / II, III / III ( Suboktavkoppel ), IV / II, IV / IV ( Suboktavkoppel ), Grand Orgue à la machine, I / P, II / P III / P, IV / P
  • Accessories: Forté général, Anches Positif Anches Grand Orgue, Recit Anches, Anches bombard Anches Pédale.

On the eastern wall of the southern transept ship directly to the crossing, the Transeptorgel depends as swallow's nest organ. The instrument was built by the Swiss organ builder Metzler 1993. It has 44 speaking stops and a transmission on three manual and pedal works.

Bells

In the 123 meter-tall north tower next to an 47 -note chime hangs (total weight: 27,648 kg, range: four octaves), an eight -voiced bronze bells, the largest bell - Carolus called - in 1507 by Willem and Jaspar Moer ('s -Hertogenbosch ) on the church Square was poured; it weighs 6434 kg with a lower diameter of 2.120 mm. Due to the limited space, the two largest bells may be rung only separated. The full peal consists of all bells except the bell No. 2 ( Henricus ).

The Schlagtonfolge the Läuteglocken

Roman Catholic Diocese of Antwerp Calvinism Saint Christopher Lodovico Guicciardini
512080
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