61. EPITAPH

We leave the South transept and make our way up the South aisle of the nave. Right adjacent to the transept is the South door, and close by is this epitaph of Ritter Schönborn und Gattin. It is made of sandstone and dates from 1480.    PLAN

62. NAVE SOUTH AISLE

Looking up the South aisle, there are four more stained glass windows, a tomb at left, a tapestry, and other items against the wall in the distance, the wonderful baptismal font, and a painting on the far West wall.

63. SOUTH NAVE WINDOWS

These windows follow the pattern we have observed so far with a central scene. From left we see: • the Eucharist being administered to a family; • The feeding of the 5000; • Jesus meeting the woman at the well; • The parable of the good Samaritan. Each of these windows has a short German explanation.    

64. DOUBLE TOMB

The double tomb is of Friedrich von Sachsenhausen, a sovereign of Koblenz who died in 1411, and of his wife, Sophie Schenk von Liebenstein, from the early 1400s. They are depicted almost life-size in sandstone and in period clothing, framed by gothic architecture. This tomb is one of the finest examples of the ‘Soft Style’ of the Rhine region.   

65. BAPTISMAL FONT

The baptismal font is made of marble from the Lahn region, and dates from the 18th century.  Baptism is the rite of initiation of babies and small children into Christ and the community of the Church.

66. TAPESTRY

Behind the baptismal font is this intriguing modern tapestry symbolizing the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was baptised by John, the Spirit of God was seen descending on him like a dove.

67. MADONNA

Beyond the tapestry on the South wall is this Madonna from the 15th century within a new gothic frame. The iron screen in front of it was wrought by Sebastian Hoppen of Leubsdorf in 1992.

68. TOMBSTONES

These two tombstones below the next window date from the 18th century.    

69. PAINTING

At this stage in our exploration of the Basilica we have arrived at the South West corner. On the West wall is this painting of St Castor, holding a model of the Basilica. St Castor died around 400 AD. By the year 791 AD, there was already a reliquary dedicated to him which was taken to the Paulinuskirchen at Karden. In 836, the relics were moved to what became the Basilica of St. Castor at Koblenz by Archbishop Hetto of Trier.

70. THE WEST NAVE

Our tour of the Basilica is nearly complete. We look back across the West nave to the entry door with a statue on either side. Above us is the main organ of the Basilica.

71. CRUCIFIXION EPITAPH

To our immediate left, behind glass, is a Crucifixion Epitaph comprising multiple figures which date from the end of the 16th century.

72. JOACHIM STATUE

Beside the main entry are two late baroque figures in white marble dating from the mid 18th century. They are said to have previously stood in the Castle of Koblenz, and depict Joachim (with Mary) shown here, and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin.

73. ORGAN

The Basilica had an old organ dating from 1728. A new main organ was built in the North transept in 1962. This was removed in 2013 and a new main organ was installed in 2014 on the West wall above the church entry.

74. ADDENDUM ... SUNDIAL

I found this [Wikipedia] photo of an ancient sundial by the Basilica, which I unfortunately missed. From the background, I place this right close to the Eastern apse. This completes our tour of the Basilica.