41. REMEMBRANCE BOOK

Many churches and cathedrals have a remembrance book with names of parishioners who have lost their lives in world conflicts.    PLAN

42. ORGAN

The earliest reference for organs in the Frauenkirche dates from 1442. The current organ was built in 1988 by Klais Orgelbau of Bonn, re-using 20 ranks from the previous instrument. The organ now has 3052 pipes and 42 registers.

43. NAVE SOUTH WALL

From the organ we walk back towards the West wall. The South wall of the nave is fairly bare: there are various coats of arms up high, and a type of display cabinet at floor level.

44. DIORAMA

This is a very thought-provoking diorama. There is text along the base, but unfortunately I cannot read it. Christ crucified is at the centre of the scene. In front, a small group is being instructed by a priest. On either side, the crowd is divided into those who have an attitude of worship, and those who turn their backs on Christ.

45. SOUTH WALL DEAD PLATE

On the South wall there are a number of commemorative plates. The crests are colourful and attractive, but I do not know their individual significance.   

46. NORTH COLUMN PAINTING

There are two large columns in the nave of the church, each with a painting displayed. The epitaph on the North column depicts the resurrection of Christ. It was painted around 1440 by an unknown artist.

47. SOUTH COLUMN PAINTING

The painting on the South column depicts the archangel Michael. It was dedicated to the royal chef, Michael Raffael, and was painted by Michael Wolgemut (Albrecht Dürer’s instructor) around 1489.

48. COLUMN CHRIST

This figure of Christ is attached to the South nave column above the painting of the archangel Michael.

49. ST MICHAEL’S LOFT

The West wall is dominated by the ornate triforium, named the Imperial Loft or St. Michael’s Loft. This opens on to the nave by means of an arcade, the arches of which are filled with floating tracery, consisting of three rosettes supported by a segmental arch. The tympanum above the West door also attracts our attention. Note too the little chapel door at left.   

50. CHAPEL

In the South West corner of the nave is a doorway leading to a tiny chapel.   

51. PIETÀ

The chapel contains a little Pietà figure – Mary holding the body of her Son Jesus. Votive candles burn on either side.    

52. TYMPANUM

Above the West door in the nave is a detailed tympanum showing at top a scene from the Crucifixion, and below the laying out of the body of Christ.

53. WAR DAMAGE

The Frauenkirche was heavily damaged in the World War II bombings of Nürnberg. Only the West façade (the one facing the market square) and the entrance hall and Michael’s Choir above it remained intact after the 1945 bombings.

54. WAR DAMAGE II

The stupidity and destructiveness of mankind is only partially compensated by man’s ability to restore the lost. This completes our tour of the Frauenkirche.