St Theobald's Church, Thann

The Muenster at Thann (actually " Theobalduskirche ", French: Collegiate Church Saint- thiébaut ) is a Gothic church in the Alsatian town of Thann. It applies in addition to the much larger cathedrals at Strasbourg and Freiburg im Breisgau as one of the main and masterpieces of Gothic construction and equipment Art in the Upper Rhine.

History

The Alsatian town of Thann is first documented in 1290 mentioned ( city rights in 1360 ). But just three years before a church is mentioned, which was dedicated to St. Theobald. In this one finger relic of the holy bishop Ubald of Gubbio (d. 1160 ) is revered, which has come miraculously from Italy in the Vosges Mountains.

With the construction of today's collegiate church was begun in the first half of the 14th century (southern aisle, lower part of the west facade ). 1351 began the construction of the choir and the tower. By 1400 the Marientympanon arose over the west portal, that is leaning, representing the life of the Mother of God in biblical and apocryphal reports. The choir was ordained in 1432. From about 1490 the building of the famous architect Remigius Faesch came back on track: By the year 1492 he completed the north aisle, 1495 the nave. The church tower turned Faesch 1516 ready. 1629-31 Lady Chapel was built at the southern nave. From 1887-1895 the cathedral Strebepfeilerfialen and colorful tiled roofs received.

Description

The cathedral is one despite its small size to the magnificent Gothic architecture in the south of the medieval empire. Elevation and arches provide examples of the art language of the high - as the late Gothic period, the triforienlose interior elevation of the Longhouse nave is typical of the south-west of the kingdom (cf. Martinsmünster Colmar, Freiburg Münster, Ulmer Münster).

Unique and one of the showpieces of the cathedral, the 18 meters high and 8 meters wide portal is on the well-proportioned west facade: flashed the two actual portals with Archivolts, jamb and tympana are from one another and correspondingly larger portal funnel, which in turn three Archivolts and a five-line tympanum has. This composition provides space for 150 sculptural scenes in which cavort about 500 individual figures. Immediately above the portal Christ the Judge with John the Baptist and the Blessed Mother. In Gable, the Holy Theobald with pilgrims. On the long sides of the house per 4 buttresses. Pinnacles and figures 19th century. The second jewel is the tower, one of the few with a medieval Maßwerkhelm ( height 22 meters; late Gothic tracery; significant close to Basler Münster). Total height of the tower 76 meters; octagonal from 40 meters height; open winding staircase in the southeast corner; oldest bell of 1467 in the interior, among others seated figure of Saint Theobald. ; Madonna winery in 1510; in the choir Apostles statues from the 15th century; Main altar from 1845; Baroque wall paintings by F. Hillenweck; the choir stalls (after 1442 ) is one of the most beautiful in the Alsace region with a variety of imaginative details provided ( restoration from 1900 to 1902, extending eastward 1906). Glass paintings of the 15th century.

The organ of the cathedral was built in 2001 by organ builder Michel Gaillard, in the historic organ case from 1888, which had been built by the organ builder Martin Rinckenbach for the former instrument. Today's organ work is inspired by the then Rinckenbach instrument that had 42 registers on three manuals and pedal. The present organ has 49 registers, four manuals and pedal.

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