The Early Gothic cathedral in Poznań

Abstract

The article presents the main results of research and scientific discussion as well as many interpretations related to the reconstruction of the choir of Poznań Cathedral in the mid-13th century. It also details the subsequent construction work carried out before the Gothic reconstruction of the nave (mid-14th century). These works are clearly shown in the written sources, and they can be dated from 1243 to 1262. They were initiated by the Poznań bishops, Boguchwał II and Boguchwał III (consecration of the choir – June 29, 1262). Basic, but unfortunately only fragmentary, early Gothic remains were unearthed by archaeological excavations conducted after World War II (1951–1956). Further obser110 vations possibly concerning this construction phase were made on the occasion of the drying of the walls and foundations in 1988 and from 1999 to 2000. An archive search in the City Heritage Conservator’s Office in Poznań and in the Archive of the Museum of Archaeology in Poznań did not produce any worthwhile evidence. Unfortunately, some descriptions in literature are not supported by photographic documentation or drawings (amongst others, the possible wall of the transept/south chapel, Wendish bonds in the eastern and southern wall of the chapel). The early Gothic choir was probably built of brick and stone. Based on shape of the rear surface of a capital with oak leaves, it was discovered that it had a polygonal closure. The style of the cathedral’s stone detail (and the Dominican church) was associated with a French builders’ guild (S. Skibiński). Recent excavations in the Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) area (1999–2011) provided another fragment of the early Gothic stonework with a leaf motif (Ostrów Tumski, site 9). A curve clearly visible at its edge rather suggests that it was part of a keystone or portal’s archivolt. The article also describes the sepulchral character of the cathedral including royal burials and graves of bishops and clergy associated with the cathedral. Despite the archaeological excavations, burials of rulers still remain the subject of discussion and scarce written sources. The only one definitely identified is the royal chapel of Przemysł II and his wife Ryksa on the western side of the southern aisle. Its remains consist of two brick engaged columns attached to Romanesque pillars and a pillar in Wendish bond. The time of its construction is disputable; about 1293 or as late as about the mid-14th century – when a (symbolic?) burials’ transfer took place in connection with the erection of Bolesław the Brave’s tombstone in the nave of the cathedral (S. Skibiński). Attributes such as croziers, rings, patens and a chalice indicate bishops’ burials. Due to their seal ring, one of the two Boguchawł bishops – founders of the early Gothic choir – was identified (grave No. 126). Indirect evidence of construction works carried out in the mid-13th century are the re-used ashlars and blocks of calcareous sinter flanking the graves of bishops in the cathedral interior (graves 93 and 99) and recorded in 2000 in front of the western façade (5 graves). This material comes from the demolition of the Romanesque choir. Reconstruction of the edifice in the mid-13th century was determined by tradition and sacrum – a place of the construction of the following buildings, from an suspected small baptistery building, the first pre-Romanesque cathedral and the Romanesque phase. To the Romanesque main body, built in the first half of the 12th century, the early Gothic choir was attached. The axis of the Romanesque nave determined the axis of the whole building, its deviation to the south-east in relation to the axis of the Gothic cathedral seems to explain the deviation of the former mansionary chapel (currently the Golden Chapel). This may also be evidence for the presence of the ambulatory around the choir, while the eastern chapel was an attached building based on this axis (before the reconstruction of the choir in the 14th/15th century). Presumably the deviation to the south-east of the former mansionary chapel can be explained by its situation on the axis of the Romanesque nave and the early Gothic choir. In the mid-14th century, the axis of the nave was changed and deviated to the north. The early Gothic choir was demolished during the rebuilding of the cathedral in the late 14th century. A new feature during the construction work in the mid-13th century was the employment of French builders’ guilds. Due to this the cathedral was the first one in Poland to have a polygonal closure for the choir. Poznań owes its decorative sandstone capitals and perhaps the ambulatory with later attached chapels to French stonemasons. Also the crozier from Limoges (from grave No. 99), a high-status product of European goldsmith’s art from around the mid-13th century, is more evidence of the contacts of Poznań bishops with French areas. The period of the cathedral rebuilding in the mid-13th century was part of intensive territorial, ownership, cultural and social changes taking place in the Poznań agglomeration. It seems that the involvement of French builders on the construction work of the new choir funded by Poznań bishops was not just due to their education but to contacts manifested by the presence of luxury items. The choir construction was a manifestation of episcopal wealth and authority. The cathedral, despite the fact that it was situated outside the newly incorporated city, remained its spiritual and religious centre.