Liège Cathedral

The St. Paul's Cathedral, full name Cathédrale de la Conversion de Saint -Paul et de l' Assomption de Marie ( Paul's conversion and the Assumption of Mary in the Temple of Heaven ) in Liège, Belgium is the bishop's church of the Roman Catholic bishopric of Liège. The Gothic basilica was built from the 13th to the 15th century as Kollegiatstiftskirche and raised in succession of the destroyed St. Lambert's Cathedral became a cathedral in 1804.

History and Architecture

Bishop Paul Ebrachar founded the pin in 966 at a - at that time - island between two arms Maas. About the appearance of the pre-Romanesque collegiate church there are only guesses.

Construction of the present church was 1240. During the first phase of the choir were built (with flat termination), the transept and the two eastern nave yokes. The consecration took place on 11 April 1289th

The second, high-Gothic construction phase began after 1333 and included the four western bays of the nave, the side entrance, the chapels of the aisles, the polygonal apse and finally the tower ( from 1390 ).

From 1445 until today preserved cloister on the south side of the church, the west portal next to the tower was built at the beginning of the 16th century.

After the survey of the cathedral in 1804, the tower was raised by a bell storey and the spire; It was modeled on the western towers of the ruined cathedral Lambert. 1850-75 there was a major restoration in the spirit of the Gothic Revival. The choir received two additional side aisles, and the entire exterior was decorated with statues and ornamental elements.

Interior and equipment

Despite the long construction period, the interior is harmonious and closed. Contributes to particularly by the choir and tower consistent vault height. Sexy affect the contrast of blue and yellowish Lorraine Meuse countries limestone, the triforium and the sculptural jewelry.

From the mid-16th century, the most important stained glass windows date. At the same time a part of the vault was painted; the other in the 19th century. In the last third of the 19th century, the high altar and other sculptures created.

Organ

The organ in the west gallery was built in 1870 by organ builder Merklin contactors. The instrument has 30 stops, including two transmissions in the pedal, and 5 registers on alternating loops, three manuals and pedal.

• Couplers: II / I, III / I, III / II, I / P, II / P, II / P