As of: March 8, 2024, 7:02 p.m
By: Andrea Beschorner
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Parts of a ceiling fresco appeared during the restoration work in the cathedral.
© Lehmann
During the million-dollar crypt restoration in Freising Cathedral, two spectacular finds have now come to light.
Freising
– awe.
That's what the construction site at the venerable cathedral in Freising demands of the people who work here.
It was a good six months ago when the head of the State Building Authority, Andreas Kronthaler, put it this way during a tour of the construction site.
At the time, he could never have dreamed that this feeling of deep awe would become even greater.
But the two finds that have now come to light during work on the crypt are a sensation.
The awe has grown once again.
At the transition to the Maximilian Chapel, construction manager Angelika Porst uncovered a mural - a head of Christ on Veronika's shroud.
Michael Schmidt, deputy department head of the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation: “This is extraordinary, a highlight!” No wonder that Angelika Porst immediately grabbed the phone to tell cathedral rector Marc-Aeilko Aris about the sensation.
A painting of the highest quality.
And even if it is only a small remnant of the fresco, as Schmidt said, this find is absolutely valuable.
Because of the delicate nature of the painting, the artist is believed to have been in Italy; it was probably created around 1300.
It was a good six months ago when the FT was last able to visit the Korbinian Crypt, one of the most important high medieval sacred spaces in Bavaria, with those responsible for the State Building Authority, Andreas Kronthaler and project manager Richard Sicker as well as press spokesman Marcus Dörner.
It still looked wild back then, the clear traces of decades-old candle soot were still visible in the vaulted room, and electrical cables were exposed.
Just a construction site.
An ancient burial site was discovered behind this loose stone in a side room of the crypt.
Project manager Richard Sicker shows the special find.
© Lehmann
Today the crypt, which largely dates back to the construction of the current cathedral around 1160, shines.
The vaults are bright, the traces of soot have been removed.
Thomas Aumüller, an expert in building research at the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, was called in to plan and coordinate.
The most modern 3D technology was used on the construction site, and extensive structural and cultural-historical investigations were necessary before replacing the electrical cables.
Aumüller: “We now know much more about the creation and design of the crypt and thus also about an important part of our Bavarian cultural history” – knowledge that is also thanks to the ceiling painting.
Grave niche discovered
Then cathedral rector Marc-Aeilko Aris announced another discovery, which is why the phone in question rang again a few days ago.
In a side room of the crypt, which had been used as a chair and storage room for years, a stone had become loose.
Behind: a grave niche.
In addition to the bones, parts of the sarcophagus were also found.
View into a burial chamber.jpg © Lehmann
The investigations into the crypt room are just beginning, which is why the room for the state exhibition must remain closed.
Aris assumes there are several grave niches.
Because: “The saints of the cathedral were venerated in the crypt,” he explains.
Being buried next to these saints was an expression of trust in their intercession - and was therefore a popular burial place.
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And the schedule?
Despite all these surprising discoveries, “we are right on schedule – even if it may not look like it at the moment,” says project manager Richard Sicker.
There is no way around it, because in a few weeks, at the beginning of May, the state exhibition will open, until then the Korbinian shrine will be in the restored Maximilian Chapel.
Everyone involved is working towards this date.
“Everyone is doing great things here,” says Andreas Kronthaler.
And the cost framework will not be exceeded either.
It remains at six million euros.