At the Eastern end of the South wall, we come to the St Ulrich Museum. This former parish church has now become the diocesan museum. PLAN
22. SOUTH SMALL DOOR
By this small door in the South wall is a relief with portrait of the Cathedral architect Franz Josef von Denzinger. He built the towers of the Cathedral and completed the transept.
23. SOUTH EAST VIEW
This is a good place to turn and look back at the Cathedral. Just behind the fence at right is an interesting plaque, but our way further around the Cathedral is unfortunately barred due to building work.
24. EAST WALL PLAQUE
The relief plaque just behind the fence depicts Jesus on the cross, a skull at the base of the cross, and a large group of people praying. I cannot decipher the text but the date 1658 is shown.
25. NORTH TOWER
From a short distance away we can see the Romanesque Donkey Tower ‘Eselsturm’ in front of the North transept. This is used for hoisting buildiung materials to the higher levels. Originally a massive tower was to have been erected in this position, but the plan was abandoned.
26. SPIRES
From this vantage point we obtain a good view of the graceful spires. These were only (relatively!) recently completed in 1859–1869 by the Cathedral architect Franz Denzinger.
27. WESTERN GLIMPSES
As mentioned earlier, the Cathedral sits in the midst of the city and dominates it. One looks up while exploring the little streets ... and there it is!
28. NAVE
We enter the Cathedral and enjoy the view of the spacious three-aisled nave with its Gothic arches and solid supporting columns. An unusual feature is the crucifix in the central aisle. The internal measurements are length: 85.40 m; width 34.80 m; height of nave 31.85 m; height of towers 105 m.
29. TO THE NORTH AISLE
We cross over to the North aisle, noticing the embracing figures ahead. The window above is partially occluded for some reason, and there is in fact a lovely West window at left. The columns have added strengthening to support the tower.
30. FOND EMBRACE
This sculpture was created c. 1350/60 and was moved from the main Portal where it had become severely weathered. It is called The Visitation, and shows Mary and Elizabeth embracing.
31. WEST WINDOW, NORTH
The Cathedral windows are old and very attractive. This one shows a Nativity scene with the Magi bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. Various Old Testament characters are depicted below.
32. NORTH AISLE
This is our way ahead ... a very wide aisle with altars at left and partial windows above. In the distance is the Cathedral organ, and a facing altar.
33. NORTH NAVE ALTARS I
The altar at left is the St Wolfgang altar, dating from 1938. Wolfgang was Bishop of Regensburg (973-983). As bishop, he distinguished himself brilliantly for his reforming zeal and his skills as a statesman. The altar at right has St Henry and St Cunigund looking down on a scene of St Rupert baptizing Duke Theodo, painted in 1839 by Ludwig Hailer.
34. NORTH NAVE WINDOWS I
These windows have been blocked off at left and below, presumably due to exterior building additions (it was difficult to see from outside). The North aisle contains a number of important stained glass windows. For example the window at right dates from c. 1330 and shows the 14 Auxiliary Saints and scenes from the history of salvation.
35. ALONG THE NORTH AISLE
We continue along the North aisle with the pattern of each gallery containing an altar and a half-window above.
36. NORTH NAVE ALTARS II
The next altar (at left) is the St Michael Altar, an important wooden figure of the saint, c. 1490. Above the altar at right stands St Margaret c. 1360/70, elegantly and unconventionally designed.
37. NORTH NAVE WINDOWS II
The window at left in the third bay comes from the time immediately after the ‘beautiful style’ (international Gothic c. 1430//40), with saints, Doctors of the Church, and scenes of the Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, and the Death of the Virgin Mary.
38. NORTHERN DOOR
As we approach the North transept, we come to this doorway – the entrance to the Cathedral Treasury Museum. We shall return here. At left is a statue of St Christopher bearing the Christ Child.
39. NORTH TRANSEPT
The large Cathedral organ dates from 2007–2009, and was built by Rieger. It has 80 registers, four manuals and pedal, and 5871 pipes. Below is the Albertus Magnus Altar created in 1473, with a 1932 altarpiece by Franz X. Dietrich. The narrow pediment window at left shows two apostles.
40. NORTH TRANSEPT CLERESTORY WINDOWS
The East clerestory window (right) has a monumental representation of the Crucifixion. In the West clerestory window (left) there is a section installed in 1988 by Josef Oberberger, with an idiosyncratic representation of Pentecost.