Romanesque Architecture
Speyer, Speyer, Germany

Having gone through several reconstructions over the last 900 years, it is difficult to model the original form of the Speyer Cathedral. The construction of this building began in 1030 on the ruins of a much older temple. It was founded by Emperor Conrad II who had intended the building as a bruial place for himself and his descendants. His burial place rests at the east end of the nave, and his descendants were interred here until the 14th century. Henry IV initiated some extensive rebuilding of the Cathedral in 1080 because it was in danger of collapse due to flooding. Fires that occurred in 1137 and 1159 spured further rebuilding. The Cathedral again caught fire and burned down in 1689, leaving only the south aisle, the east end of the nave and the ground floor of the west end. It was restored in 1772-78.

This VR model reconstructed the original form built by Emperor Conrad II with a wood truss roof and wood ceiling. A series of 18 plan and section drawings of Speyer Cathedral in its current state with designations of previous construction were the basis for the model. These drawings were furnished by the diocese of Speyer. The dimensions of the main floor were based on these detailed drawings.

The modeling process started from building the walls. Then a groin vault was created and repeatedly applied throughout the crypt and side-aisles. On floor plans, it was found that the building is askew in several places. Because the differences were slight and unnoticeable by view, in this model, the askew parts were ignored. According to the information provided by Kubach (1976), the area of interrement within the nave was enclosed, but probably not until the time of Henry III or Henry IV.

The textures of the building materils were scanned from images and mapped to the model. For instance, the color and materials of the piers of the nave were from a photo of the side aisle. The plaster-like texture surrounding the windows along the side aisle was taken from a postcard of the crypt. Much of this building is textured more as a way to delineate differences in all of the articulations along the walls and engaged columns.

Modeling by: Hamlin Krewson

References:

1. Ernst Gall (1963). Cathedrals and Abbey Churches of the Rhine. (Harry H. Abrams Inc., New York), pp 26, 27.
2. Kubach, Hans Erich (1976). Der Dom Zu Speyer. (Wissenshaftlich Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt, Germany).
3. Thomas H. King (1868). The Study Book of Medieval Architecture and Art. (Henry Sotheran and Co., London), Vol. 1, 136 Strand, and 42 Charing Cross.