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Eastern view with Ottonian frescos, Church of St George, Oberzell (Germany), 896-beginning of the 11^th century.

The oldest of the three listed Rhineland cathedrals is Mainz Cathedral (p.22–23–25), whose foundation by Bishop Willigis dates back to the end of the tenth century. The oldest remaining parts, the round side towers on the east side, which stem from the first third of the eleventh century, were so badly destroyed during a first fire on the day of consecration in 1009 and by another fire in 1137 that the cathedral had to be re-roofed. Based on newly expanded technical knowledge, the original flat wooden roofs were replaced with stone vaults. These, however, only remained until 1159, when intense fighting broke out between the archbishop and the citizens, whereby the latter stormed the cathedral and turned it into a fortress. After the cathedral had remained without a roof for over twenty years, its reconstruction was started, but carried out so slowly that it was only finally concluded in 1239.

Nave, Jerichow Abbey, Jerichow (Germany), 1149–1172.

South view, Ratzeburg Cathedral, Ratzeburg (Germany), 1160–1220.

Due to this extended construction period, Mainz Cathedral does not present a uniform image of Romanesque style. Additions during the Gothic period interfere with the uniformity of the overall exterior and interior appearance. Careful reconstruction attempted to replace whatever was destroyed by shooting or bombardment during various wars. The cathedral succeeded in maintaining an appearance, at least, of its great age. Surrounded by rows of houses, Mainz Cathedral does not convey a monumental impression when viewed up close. This, however, was probably not the creators’ intent, since the building customs of medieval towns did not grant them great freedom. Where there were no fortifications to protect the citizens’ residences, the main church took their place, with houses arranged in tight circles around it, trusting in the protective power of the house of the Lord. During wartime, they often proved their worth as safe places of refuge, particularly after the invention of long-distance fire weapons had become a great danger for towns under siege.

Only in the course of the nineteenth century did the structure of medieval towns, which was based on defense purposes, see a drastic change. Due to the disproportionately large growth in population, the traffic conditions changed at the expense of the old, romantic townscape. Thus church builders would calculate their designs based on the most impressive long-distance effect, if they wanted to set off their creations against the confinement of the towns. For the town residents themselves, the sculptural décor on the portals was sufficient. On the outside, however, the magnificent effect could only be achieved by size and the extent and variety of the ornamentation of the tower buildings. The effectiveness of the old masters’ calculations with regard to long-distance can be seen most clearly in Mainz Cathedral. Seen from up close, it almost disappears in the surrounding mass of houses despite its huge proportions, while viewed from the other side of the Rhine, it majestically dominates the entire fluvial landscape.