[gothic-l] Lundina Gothorum- Cathedral

[Bertil Häggman]

F.X.,

Thank you for bringing up the Lund Cathedral,
one of the best preserved church constructions
in Northern Europe. Lund is situated in the Province
of Scania in southern Sweden.

There was probably an older church where the
present cathedral stands. This was
constructed under King Svend Estridsen (1047-74)
and was a stone church of English type.
There were at this time close connection between
Denmark and England (Scania was a that time a
Danish province, the main part of what was called
East Denmark).

In 1060 Lund became the seat of a bishop. Around
1085 the present cathedral was started. In 1103 after
a decision in Rome Lund became the seat of an
archbishop over Denmark, Scania, Halland,
Blekinge, Schleswig-Holstein, Ruegen and Estonia.
The altar was dedicated in 1123. I must however
as you do, that the basilica is of typical Roman style,
not Gothic style.

More later. Do you have any specific questions?

The giant figure is supposed to be a heathen giant,
Finn. The woman is Finn's wife, with whom he had
two children, Gerda and Soelve.

Gothically

Bertil

> I am researching the relationship of Visigothic architecture with
> architecture in the rest of Europe and I have run into a wall of
> inconsistency as concerns the date for the (start of construction) of
> the Cathedral of Lund in (of course) - ["Lundina Gothorum"(per- Great
> Larousse)]. In general, I have not been able to find much on this very
> early treasure of the Romanesque. The dates that I have been able to
> find are not in agreement between sources.
>
> Also, do you or anyone else have any facts/information concerning a
> purported colossal carving of a giant figure on one of the pilars of the
> Cathedral of Lund which is flanked by another pillar of a woman holding
> an infant? Supposedly there is an official story behind it and I am
> wondering if anyone might know of it.
>
> It is too early to reveal how all these items may be linked, and it may
> prove to be more conclussive to my thesis if nothing is said at this
> time but I will be more than grateful for any information.



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