Ulm Münster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ulmer Münster | |
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Image:Germany Ulmer Münster Tower.jpg
Part of the church tower of the Ulmer Münster
Ulmer Münster was the world's tallest building from 1890 to 1908.* |
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| Preceded by | Cologne Cathedral |
| Surpassed by | Singer Building |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ulm, Germany |
| Status | Complete |
| Constructed | 1377-1890 |
| Technical Details | |
| Floor count | n/a |
| * Fully habitable, self-supported, from main entrance to rooftop; see world's tallest structures for other listings. | |
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Ulm Münster is a cathedral and the tallest church in the world, its steeple measuring 161.53 m (530') high and containing 768 steps. Located in Ulm, Germany, it is an outstanding example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture. It has dominated Ulm and the surrounding region for hundreds of years with its 161-metre-tall spire. After climbing the 768 steps to the top there is superb panoramic view of Baden-Württemberg's Ulm and Bavaria's Neu-Ulm and, in the right weather conditions, a vista of the Alpine range from Säntis to the Zugspitze. The climb up is strenuous. As you traverse through old stone passageways you get a true sense of the history of the church. The final stairwell to the top (known as the 3rd Gallery) is a tall, spiraling staircase that has barely enough room for one person. When people are going up to the gallery and then back down it can get quite claustrophobic.
 Spiral Staircase to 3rd Gallery. |
This architectural masterpiece houses many famous artworks. The 15th century choir stalls by Jörg Syrlin the Elder enjoy world-wide acclaim, in particular the carved busts which have gone down as masterpieces in the history of art. Among the other works of distinction in the Münster are Hans Multscher's Man of Sorrows on the main portal and the pulpit canopy by Jörg Syrlin the Younger, as well as the altar and window in the chancel.
Work on the Ulm Citizen's Church began in 1377, financed by the city's inhabitants. There was then a very long period between 1547 and the 19th century with no further building, even when the church became protestant during the reformation. The building was finally completed in 1890 with the addition of the spire.
In 1877 the jewish congregation of Ulm (synagogue) and the father of Albert Einstein give money to make a famous statue of the hebrew prophet Jeremiah (near the big organ).
The cathedral was saved from bombing during World War II largely because of the fog that surrounded the region of Ulm on a regular basis. Because it was difficult to navigate the area from the air, the Allies found the cathedral too valuable of a landmark to be destroyed.[citation needed]
[edit] More pictures
 view to the quire |
 view to the gallery |
 choir stalls by Jörg Syrlin t.E. (ca. 1470) |
 bust of Cicero by Jörg Syrlin t.E. |
 coloured windows above the main altar |
 main altar by Martin Schaffner (1521) |
 Origin belief above the main portal |
 Man of Sorrows on the main portal (below) by Hans Multscher (1429) |
 View from the top. |
