Münster Fugue

 Organ : Berner Münster : Bern, CH

The Berner Münster is home to another great organ. In 1726, this organ was commissioned for the Cathedral of Berne. In 1999, the organ was restored and expanded at a cost of Sfr 4 million (more than US$3 million at that time.) We were fortunate to hear the organ while we were there and I found this video of organist Diane Bish playing the Münster organ. To hear her play a toccata on this magnificent piece, go here. To see more pictures of this organ, go here.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Berner Münster

Gargoyles on the Berner Münster : Bern, CH

The Berner Münster, or Cathedral of Berne, is Switzerland's largest Gothic cathedral. Construction on the cathedral commenced in 1421 and was completed in 1893--a span of 472 years. Within 30 years of the founding of Bern (Swiss spelling), a chapel was built on the grounds where the current cathedral stands. Over the next five centuries, the building grew as the city grew. The church was originally Catholic, but as the years progressed switched to Protestant, which is what it is today. The cathedral's tower holds the largest bell in Switzerland: 10 tons in weight and 8 feet in diameter. The bell was cast in 1611. To hear the cathedral's seven bells, go here. To see more pictures of this edifice, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Basler Münster (Interior)

Contemplative : Basler Münster : Basel, CH

Thursday's entry featured the Basler Münster from the outside. Today, I'm posting a photo from the inside. To see more pictures of this simple, formerly-Catholic-currently-Protestant cathedral, visit my Picasa Web Albums.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/10

Basler Münster (Exterior)

Transept roof of the Basler Münster : Basel, CH

The Basler Münster stands on a bluff overlooking the Rhine River and Kleinbasel. The original edifice was begun in 1019. An earthquake in 1356 leveled the city of Basel and severely damaged its main cathedral. Johannes Gmünd, who was building the Freiburg Münster in neighboring Germany, was employed to rebuild the Basler Münster. Both churches are constructed of red sandstone (I'll feature pictures of the Freiburg cathedral in a few days) and are built in the Romanesque architectural style.

You've seen this breezeway before, only from this perspective : 

Basler Münster : Basel, CH

On the day we visited, we climbed the stairs of the bell tower and enjoyed lovely views of Kleinbasel and Grossbasel, as well as the Rhine River and the foothills of Germany. To see more photos of the exterior and grounds of the Basler Münster, please visit my Picasa Web Albums. A photo of the west facade of the cathedral can be found in this album.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/10