Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gisela of Hungary

Since 1007, when Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II (Henry II) made Bamberg the seat of a diocese, the Bamberg Cathedral ("Bamberger Dom St. Peter und St. Georg") is the seat of the Archbishop of Bamberg. The first cathedral on this place, founded in 1004 by Heinrich II and named "Heinrichsdom", got consecrated already in 1012. This building got destroyed by fire in 1085. Around 1215 the construction of the building seen here started. It was commisioned by Bishop Eckbert von Andechs-Meranien, brother of Hedwig von Andechs (aka Hedwig of Silesia). The new cathedral consecrated in 1237. Between 1225 and 1237 this sculpture, the "Bamberger Reiter" ("Bamberg Horseman") was created by an unkown master, probably coming from France. Since the consecration it has been on the same place, located on a console at the north pillar of the St. George choir. It is considered the first monumental equestrian statue since classical antiquity, and one of the first to depict a horse shoe. The statue is more than 2 meters high (lifesize) and was painted once. The horse was white, the cape red - and the crown golden. There are many theories, who this unarmed rider could be. Heinrich II, whose tomb is only a few meters apart, or Philip of Swabia, the first German king ever being assasinated - next door? I tend to Stefan I ("Stephen I of Hungary"), aka "Sankt Stefan" ("Saint Steven"). He was married to Gisela von Bayern ("Gisela of Hungary") and brother in law of Heinrich II. When Bishop Eckbert von Andechs-Meranien after Philip´s assasination (1208) was suspected to have teamed up with the murderer Otto von Wittelsbach, he fled to Hungary, from where he reached rehabilitation, returned to BAmberg and completed this cathedral.

Agilolfingian dukes founded this monastery on the site of a fortification in 739. Only the two towers of the three nave basilica, erected within the 11th century, can be seen from this point. Gisela of Hungary (aka Gisela of Bavaria), daughter of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and widow of Saint Stephen of Hungary has been an abbess here. Her tomb inside the church is the center of a pilgrimage. The convent existed upto 1803, but Sisters of Loreto revitalized it in 1835. Today there are still some sisters living here and supporting the two schools, that meanwhile moved into the buildings. It is known, that they will move out end of 2013. Unfortunately I was too late to enter the church... Here are two (German) websites www.gisela-schulen.de/cms/ www.pnp.de/region_und_lokal/stadt_und_landkreis_passau/pa...