Bamberg - Cathedral

Since 1007, when Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II (Henry II) made Bamberg the seat of a diocese, the Bamberg Cathedral ("Bamberger Dom St. Peter und St. Georg") is the seat of the Archbishop of Bamberg.

The first cathedral on this place, founded in 1004 by Heinrich II and named "Heinrichsdom", got consecrated already in 1012. This building got destroyed by fire in 1085. Around 1215 the construction of the building seen here started. It was commisioned by Bishop Eckbert von Andechs-Meranien, brother of Hedwig von Andechs (aka Hedwig of Silesia). The new cathedral was consecrated in 1237.

This is the tympanum of the "Marienportal" (see previous upload for the portal).

In the center the Virgin, having Christ on her lap. She holds an apple in her hand, a symbol of the "New Eve". Other than in Regensburg, where a similar Virgin is part of the Schottenportal,
this is a cathedral. So the personal flanking the Virgin here - are the patron saints of the cathedral and the political key players connected to the diocese.


Left side:

St. Peter,
wearing a tonsure and holding a book and a key.
St. George,
dressed in a warrior´s outfit.
Bishop Eckbert von Andechs-Meranien,
who had commisioned the erection of this cathedral, wears a mitra

--
Right side:

Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II (Henry II),
who founded this diocese. Canonzed and so since 1147 "St. Heinrich".

Kunigunde von Luxemburg (Cunigunde of Luxembourg),
Heinrich´s wife. Canonized and so since 1200 "St. Kunigunde".

Bishop Poppo von Andechs-Meranien,
Eckbert´s uncle and one of his predecessors on the cathedra.

--
Under the Virgin´s feet is a small figure on his knees. This is probably
Count Otto I von Andechs Meranien, who wears the cape of the crusaders.