Bad Reichenhall - St. Zeno

A legend tells, that Charlemagne personally founded a first monastery here, but there are so many places, who claim that...
A small monastery existed here within the 9th century. As it was built close to the river Saalach, it was dedicated Saint Zeno, an early Christian Bishop of Verona and a patron saint against floods.

In 1136 Konrad I von Abensberg, Archbishop of Salzburg, established Augustinian Canons here, well equipped with income from the salt (= hall) that was produced here. The construction of the three-nave-basilica took 80 years, it got consecrated in 1228. With a length of 80 meters, this was a huge structure. The church burnt down in 1512. When it got rebuilt, many Gothic elements were added (vaulting). Another fire destroyed great part in 1789, just before the monastery got secularized in 1803. Since then this is a parish church.

There is an important cloister here, that even has a carving depicting Frederick I (Barbarossa). If you plan to visit Bad Reichenhall, inquire at the Tourist Office about it the opening hours. As the cloister now is part of a school, it is open for tourists only once or twice a week for an hour or two. I could not wait that long..

-
The western portal from 1228 fortunately survived all fires and modernisations. Protected by a narthex, it is still on place and only little damaged. The damage seen, was not caused by vandalism, but by a stroke of lightning

The lintel and the tympanum of the Romanesque portal. Madonna and Child n the center. Mary, seated on a throne, is holding the child on her knees with the left arm, while her the right hand holds an apple (?). They are flanked by St. Zeno (left) and St. Rupert (right). As these saints both had been bishops, both hold a crosiers. Around the group are arcades, which are encircled by stars (in black circles), sun and moon. In the first archivolt above (and out of symmetry) an Agnus Dei.

The lintel below, carved in a different style, depicts tendrils, populated with mythic animals.

The artistic style od these carvings is extraordenary, kind of soft and nothing similar can be found in the region. The artists were probably contractors from Northern Italy.

Unfortunately this shot is pretty blurry. Sorry. I should go to Bad Reichenhall again - with a tripod.