DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29899#0267
bk. y. Ch. iii.
CIRCULAR CIIURCHES.
247
CHAPTEE III.
CIRCULAR CHURC4IES.
CONTENTS.
Aix-la-Chapcllc—N ymwegen—F ulda—Bonn—Cobern.
If we are fortunate in having the St. Gall plan ancl Reichenau
cathedral with which to begin our history of the basilican-formecl
churches in Germany, we are equally lucky in having in the Dom at
Aix-la-Chapelle an authentic exampie of a circular church of the same
age. As Emperor of the Romans, Charlemagne seems to have felt it
necessary that he should have a tomb which shoulcl rival that of
Augustus or Haclrian, while, as he was a Christian, it shoulcl follow
the form of that of Constantine, or the most approved model of the
circular church, which was that which had been elaboratecl not very
long before at Ravenna. Though its design may have been influenced
by Romano-Byzantine examples to some extent, the general arrangement
of the building, and its details exhibit an originality which is very
remarkable. The mode in which the internal octagon is converted
into a polygon of sixteen sides, the arrangement of the vaults in both
storeys, and the whole design, are so purely Romanesque in form, that
it must be far from being the first example of its style. It is, however,
the oldest we possess, as well as the most interesting. It was built by
the greatest man of his age, and more emperors have been crowned and
more important events have happened beneath its venerable vaults than
have been witnessed within the walls of any existing church in Chris-
tendom. Uotwithstanding the doubts that have been thrown lately on
the fact, I feel convinced that we now possess the church of Charle-
magne in all essential respects as he left it. 1 The great difficulty in
fixing its age appears to arise from the circumstance that most of its
architectural ornaments have been painted or executed in mosaic,
instead of being carved, and time and whitewash have so obliterated
1 The building is as yet practically i burried a manner to enable me to supply
unedited, notwitbstanding its importance the deficiency. I speak, tberefore, on
in tbe bistory of architecture. I bave ! tbe subject witb diffidence.
myself examined tbis edifice, but in too |
CIRCULAR CIIURCHES.
247
CHAPTEE III.
CIRCULAR CHURC4IES.
CONTENTS.
Aix-la-Chapcllc—N ymwegen—F ulda—Bonn—Cobern.
If we are fortunate in having the St. Gall plan ancl Reichenau
cathedral with which to begin our history of the basilican-formecl
churches in Germany, we are equally lucky in having in the Dom at
Aix-la-Chapelle an authentic exampie of a circular church of the same
age. As Emperor of the Romans, Charlemagne seems to have felt it
necessary that he should have a tomb which shoulcl rival that of
Augustus or Haclrian, while, as he was a Christian, it shoulcl follow
the form of that of Constantine, or the most approved model of the
circular church, which was that which had been elaboratecl not very
long before at Ravenna. Though its design may have been influenced
by Romano-Byzantine examples to some extent, the general arrangement
of the building, and its details exhibit an originality which is very
remarkable. The mode in which the internal octagon is converted
into a polygon of sixteen sides, the arrangement of the vaults in both
storeys, and the whole design, are so purely Romanesque in form, that
it must be far from being the first example of its style. It is, however,
the oldest we possess, as well as the most interesting. It was built by
the greatest man of his age, and more emperors have been crowned and
more important events have happened beneath its venerable vaults than
have been witnessed within the walls of any existing church in Chris-
tendom. Uotwithstanding the doubts that have been thrown lately on
the fact, I feel convinced that we now possess the church of Charle-
magne in all essential respects as he left it. 1 The great difficulty in
fixing its age appears to arise from the circumstance that most of its
architectural ornaments have been painted or executed in mosaic,
instead of being carved, and time and whitewash have so obliterated
1 The building is as yet practically i burried a manner to enable me to supply
unedited, notwitbstanding its importance the deficiency. I speak, tberefore, on
in tbe bistory of architecture. I bave ! tbe subject witb diffidence.
myself examined tbis edifice, but in too |