The over life-size crucifix [41] was given by Archbishop Gero (969–976). The theme is not merely the Crucifixion of Christ but the salvation of mankind. Hence the sculpture is intended to portray the exact moment at which Christ, the Son of God, dies. This Cross is the oldest known European sculpture extant since antiquity. PLAN
62. MOSAICS
Our walk around the North ambulatory is a delight to the eyes! Included in the ambulatory pavement, are the names, and as far as they are known, the coats of arms, of all the bishops and archbishops of Cologne.
63. AMBULATORY PAINTING
As we continue walking along the North ambulatory, we come to this painting of a crucifix in a later historical setting.
64. ENGELBERT CHAPEL
As the ambulatory turns right, there are seven chapels radiating out from it. The first is the Engelbert Chapel. The windows [60] show four bishops: Gero, Bruno, Heribert and Engelbert (1215–1225). At left is a wall epitaph of Archbishop Anton von Schauenburg (1556–1558) [62], and at right the Altarpiece of George [61].
65. CHAPELS OF MATERNUS AND JOHN
The Windows in the Maternus Chapel feature four saints [63]. There is also an altarpiece, a tomb, and a painting of the Adoration of the Magi [64–66]. The windows in the radiating chapels date from c. 1320 and are made of very small pieces of glass. The John Chapel has a tomb, a wall tomb, and shrine [68–70].
66. CHAPEL OF THREE MAGI
The crucifixion group dates from the 16th century, and is the last remaining fragment of the Cathedral organ which was destroyed during the War. Behind, from left to right, we have The Three Magi Window, The Elder Biblical Window (1260/61), the Peter and Maternus Window [73–75]. A plaque and an epitaph [78–79] can be seen at the sides.
67. THREE MAGI CHAPEL ALTAR
The Three Magi altarpiece [76] was commissioned by Alexander Schmütgen in 1908. It has four reliquary busts, and a beautiful Madonna of Füssenich enthroned over the Three Magi.
68. CHAPEL OF AGNES
Only the windows of Agnes and Kunibert [81] are installed in this chapel.
69. AGNES CHAPEL ALTAR
Left and behind the altar are two heavily damaged and frequently restored wall paintings c. 1322 [82]: SS Peter and Irmgard on the left and the Crucifixion behind. A third painting (not shown) depicts the crucifixion of SS Contas and Damian.
70. LOOKING BACK
From our present position we can now look back around the ambulatory, where three of the radiating chapels are visible.
71. THREE CHAPELS
Looking in the other direction we see from left the Chapel of the Three Magi, the Chapel of Agnes, and at right, the Chapel of Michael.
72. CHAPEL OF MICHAEL
The central window shows the Coronation of the Virgin c. 1320. Above it is the ornamental glass c.1290 from a Dominican Church, demolished in 1804. To the left are SS Pope Sylvester and Gregory of Spoleto, and on the right SS Felix and Nabor.
73. MICHAEL CHAPEL ALTARPIECE
This small triptych [87] with the Crucifixion shown on the centre panel was painted on oak by the Cologne painter Batholomäus Bruyn the Elder in 1548. Also shown are SS Nicholas and Wendelin.
74. MICHAEL CHAPEL PAINTING
In the Chapel of Michael there is also this charming painting of the Magi presenting gifts to the Christ Child – a subject which fits in well with the Magi theme of the Cathedral.
75. CHAPEL OF STEPHEN
The full length Younger Biblical Window [88] dates from c. 1280 and is the first ‘Gothic’ window in Cologne.The shorter Window of Ursula and Clemens [89] is at left. The large, colourful painting depicts the stoning of Stephen.
76. CHAPEL OF OUR LADY
We have now ‘turned the corner’ and are on the South ambulatory. This brings us to the larger Chapel of Our Lady.
77. LADY CHAPEL WINDOW
The central window of this chapel [93] by Wilhelm Geyer, 1956, is dedicated to the last four popes named Pius. From the left these are Pius IX, Pius X, Pius XI, and Pius XII. The symbol above each shows a major concern each had, and below is the coat of arms.
78. LADY CHAPEL ALTARPIECE
This altarpiece [95] came originally from the City Council of Cologne: it had been painted for the Chapel in the City Hall. The central panel shows Madonna and Child with the worshiping Magi. The outer panels show the patrons of Cologne, St Ursula and St Gereon.
79. MADONNA OF MILAN
This statue of the Virgin [96] was brought from Milan in 1164. It was restored in 1855, and now stands in the Lady Chapel. It is the finest depiction of the Mother of God in the Cathedral. At right is one of the chapel’s ornamental windows.
80. CHAPEL WALL
The group of small statues is called The Holy Kindred [97], and dates from c. 1473. The whole group comprises Mary, Ann and Christ, Joachim, Joseph and Barbara. St Catherine was added later in place of the lost original.