28.09.2009

Bernward’s Column moves from the cathedral to the neighbouring St. Michael’s church

Hildesheim (kpg) – In the course of the upcoming restoration of the Hildesheim cathedral Bernward’s Column is being lent to the neighbouring evangelic St. Michael’s church on Wednesday, 30 September. Herein its going to be in the westchoir for 5 years. This masterpiece, which belongs to the World Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO, is the first one that leaves the cathedral.

Bernward’s Column in the Hildesheim cathedral; origin of photo material: Media Plus X

The relocation of Bernward’s Column, also named as Christ’s Column, will be a unique occasion, Dr. Petra Meschede promises, manageress of public relations in the diocese of Hildesheim. For all curious people can be there, when the heavy haulage with the 3,79 metre high bronze cast covers the short distance of 1000 metre from the Domhof via Pfaffenstieg and Burgstraße to Michaelisplatz. The column covers the distance being disassembled in three parts reclined in a purpose-built wooden box, which is partial opened for the trip. The reconstruction of the masterpiece in St. Michael’s church can be seen by curious onlookers as well. A screen is being positioned in the westchoir of the church. It is assumed to last two to three hours, until Bernward’s Column is recomposed. A filmteam will document the whole moving.

For the column itself the moving is a return, even though only temporarily. Because the former bishop Bernward ordered the bronze cast actually for St. Michael’s church at 1020. Herein it stayed till the 18th century. To protect it against the melting furnace, the column was situated on the cathedral court by historical interested citizens as medieval monument of art after the secularization of St. Michel’s church in 1810 and thence it was lastly transferred into the cathedral because of perserving reasons at the end of the 19th century. That the column returns to its first place of being is an ecumenical symbol in respect of the 1000 year jubilee of St. Michael’s in the next year, says Meschede. “In this case the column is being loaned from the catholic church. But loaned only! We would like to recover it after the restoration of the cathedral in 2014.”

The work of art:

Bernward’s column is unique in the history of art. It’s one of the greatest plastic masterpieces, which originated in the Romanesque art. Inspiring example and prototype is the antique Trajan’s Column in Rome. Bishop Bernward ordered it to be cast as triumphal column in conscious imitation of the emperor’s columns. There are pictured the good deeds of the emperors in an upwardly spiral picturefrieze, at Bernward’s Column there are 24 scenes from Jesus’ life, initiation the launching ceremony in river Jordan and ceasing with the triumphal procession into the city of Jerusalem. Aside from the largeness the halfplastic worked out physiques are the jutting characteristics of Bernward’s Column. Orginally it was coronated by a triumphal rood, but was melted down to a cannon in the course of reformation in 1544.