A westwork (German: Westwerk) is the monumental, west-facing entrance section of a Carolingian, Ottonian, or Romanesque church. The main function of the westwork was to draw attention to the emperor, even if he was not there in person. It embodied the power of the state and the ruler.
Who is the inventor of Westwork?
Robert of Jumièges
The feature was introduced into Norman architecture in the 11th century by Robert of Jumièges at the church of Jumièges Abbey, consecrated in 1067.
What is on the Westwork of a Romanesque church?
Quick Reference. Westwerk in German, i.e. massive, wide, tower-like west front of an early Romanesque or Carolingian church containing an entrance-vestibule with a chapel and other rooms over it opening to the upper part of the nave.
Who is the founder of the Abbey Church at Corvey?
The first abbot of Corvey was a cousin of Charlemagne, Adalard of Corbie. Ansgar, who later became the “Apostle of Scandinavia”, founded the abbey school in 823.
What is a radiating chapel?
In a church, projecting chapels arranged radially around the ambulatory of a semicircular or polygonal liturgical east end. See chevet. A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
What is Westworks?
Westworks is a free weekly synopsis of advertised contracts, bid opening results, and awarded contracts and agreements. This free publication provides the same information as found in the southern Westchester edition of The Journal News.
What are radiating chapels?
Why did Abbot Suger want Saint Denis rebuilt?
He believed that by stressing and enlarging the king’s role as vassal of Saint-Denis he could unite the king and his nobles under an idea they could mutually believe in. Suger also saw that the king could and should be protector of the peasants and the middle class.
What is Westwerk in architecture?
westwork (from German Westwerk): An entrance area at the west end of a church with upper chamber and usually with a tower or towers. It is normally broader than the width of the nave and aisles.
What is a Westwork in architecture?
What were radiating chapels for?
The church’s ambulatory and radiating chapels were designed to contain ample space for displaying and honoring relics, functions they have served since 24 February, 1600.
What were radiating chapels used for?
Smaller towers were built at the church’s western end. French churches followed the scheme of the early Christian basilica plan, using radiating chapels to accommodate more priests. Around the sanctuary apse it could be found ambulatories for visiting pilgrims, and large transepts between the sanctuary and nave.
Does Corvey possess the only almost completely preserved Carolingian westwork?
Criterion (ii): Corvey possesses the only almost completely preserved Carolingian Westwork.
What is a westwork in architecture?
A westwork ( German: Westwerk) is the monumental, west-facing entrance section of a Carolingian, Ottonian, or Romanesque church. The exterior consists of multiple stories between two towers. The interior includes an entrance vestibule, a chapel, and a series of galleries overlooking the nave.
What is the oldest example of westwork in the world?
The westwork of Corvey Abbey (873–885), Germany, is the oldest extant example. The frescos (originally of the 9th century) inside the westwork show scenes from the Odyssey. The King, later the Emperor, and his entourage lodged in the westwork when visiting the abbey during their travels around the country.
