Angers Cathedral

The Saint- Maurice d' Angers Cathedral is the religious center of the diocese of Angers. Since 1862 she has been classified as a monument historique. From the architectural style is somewhere between Romanesque and Gothic.

History

At the beginning of the 11th century was Hubert of Vendôme, Bishop of Angers from 1006 to 1047, build a new church with a single nave. The new cathedral was consecrated on 16 August 1025. After seven years, 1032, burned down the house of God, and was made only at the end of the 11th century by Bishop Geoffroy de Tours usable again. His successor Renaud de Martigné (1102-1125) and Ulger (1125-1148) left the cathedral eventually rebuild. Among the bishops Normand de Doue (1148-1153) and Guillaume de Beaumont (1202-1240) continued to pursue the work.

The Roman walls of the nave are preserved up to half the height. They received mid-12th century ribbed vault, which was the birth of the Angevin Gothic. A little later, the Gothic eastern parts emerged: the transept and the choir, which was built on the late ancient walls of the city.

Dimensions

  • Overall length: 90.47 meters
  • Width of the west facade: 23 meters
  • Height of vessel: 24.7 meters
  • DesSchiffs width: 16.4 meters
  • Length of vessel: 48 meters
  • Height of the towers: 75 meters

Major works

Among the works of art in the cathedral are:

  • A sculpted ensemble, which was be influenced by the Royal Portal of Chartres Cathedral;
  • A wall painting from the 13th century, which was discovered in 1980 and representing the life of St. Maurilius of Angers;
  • A stained glass window in the transept, also from the 13th century, with a representation of the Archbishop Julian of Toledo life, and this is the main work of stained glass this time.

Organ

The history of the organ dates back to the 14th century. The present instrument is based on an organ, which was built in 1617 by the organ builder Jacques Girardet, probably reusing material pipes from the previous organ. This organ had 47 stops on three manuals. A pedal mechanism was added until 1701. in the 18th century, the organ case was replaced. In the years 1869 - 1872 the organ by Aristide Cavaillé -Coll was reorganized. In 1959, the instrument was electrified and extended to 19 registers to 66 register now three manuals and pedal.

Pictures

Ground plan of the cathedral

Statue at the west portal

Sculptures on the west portal

Roman Catholic Diocese of Angers Romanesque art Gothic art Structurae
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