Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Bartholomew Chapel

An early evening inside the Barholomew Chapel, built by the "greacos operarios" for Bishop Meinwerk.

From the back it looks pretty common again. The complex of buildings next to the chapel is part of the "reconstructed" imperial palace, used by the kings and emperors, when they visited Paderborn, what they did pretty frequently. They used the chapel as a kind of royal dressing room. Here they stored the insignia and dressed up, before entering the cathedral.

What looks like one of the many small romanesque chapels from outside is the first hallchurch (three naves!) north of the Alps. The kind of vaults used here are totally new, forming domes. The pillars are very elegant - and there is light! Lots of light. Obviously the craftsmen from Byzanz did a little masterpiece, a kind of sample item to impress their employer. The "Vita Meinwerci", written 1165, states about the building, that it was "per graecos operarios construxit" - built by greek workers. Probably greek here means from the "Eastern Roman Empire".

Just about 10 meters north of the cathedral, built 1017...This chapel has a long story. 1000 the cathedral burnt down. One of the many reasons for Heinrich II to appoint Meinwerk bishop was probably, that Meinwerk originated from a wealthy family. He had the funds to start the rebuilding - and he did that immidatly with a new layout. He was bishop and close political supporter of Heinrich II. Three times he accompanied Heinrich II to Italy. In 1014 he even went with him to southern Italy, where he met a couple of very talented craftsmen. He hired them right away, and as soon, as they had reached Paderborn, they started to built this chapel. The "Vita Meinwerci", written 1165, states about the building "per graecos operarios construxit". They were probably from Byzanz, as they showed a total new style. The outside my look pretty common, but see the inside....