Bamberg: The Empire, the Jews, and Earthly Order

The Bamberg Cathedral's Fürstenportal, consecrated in 1237, presents a dramatic visual narrative of the Last Judgment and the separation of the saved and damned. This sculptural ensemble, accessible to both locals and visitors, was primarily designed for the bishop, his household, and guests of the episcopacy. The portal features intricate carvings, including a tympanum depicting the Last Judgment, apostles and prophets straining to witness the sacred drama, and a trumpeting angel announcing Christ's Second Coming. Notably, it includes monumental personifications of Church (Ecclesia) and Synagogue (Synagoga), with the latter adorned with symbols reflecting medieval anti-Jewish sentiments. This study highlights the portal's role in communicating theological and political messages within Bamberg's urban community during the High Middle Ages.

(Ed.). (2011). Bamberg: The Empire, the Jews, and Earthly Order. The Jew, the Cathedral and the Medieval City, 140–190. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511762413.006