Built Splendour: German Cathedrals of the Middle Ages

 This Study Day is dedicated to the art and architecture of Germany’s medieval cathedrals whose beginnings are found in Roman times. Metropolitan seats like Trier and Mainz originate from this period. During Charlemagne’s reign, the German eastern Frankish Empire received a first diocesan structure with important Episcopal Sees in Cologne and Regensburg but also in the newly conquered Saxon lands at Hildesheim and Paderborn amongst others. With the onset of Gothic in the Holy Roman Empire a building frenzy unseen before broke out testified, for example, by the cathedrals of Limburg, Magdeburg, Halberstadt, and again, Cologne and Regenburg. Trailblazing architectural developments were achieved at the cathedral building sites at Strasbourg and Prague, then well within the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire. This architectural evolution saw a last flowering at the autumn of the Middle Ages before the dawning of the tumultuous 16th-century that brought an end to this development. And despite later refurbishments, restorations, and war destructions, Germany’s medieval cathedrals still offer an abundant plethora of artistic and architectural delights from this heyday in Germany’s past.

This Lecture is held at the Art Workers' Guild in Queen Square London.

TIMETABLE FOR THE DAY

10.30-11.00 Welcome refreshments

11:00-12:00 – Lecture 1

12:00- 12.30 Refreshments

12:30-13:30 – Lecture 2

13:30-14:30 – Lunch

14:30-15:30 Lecture 3