Corvey, Germany - Between Heaven and Earth (418/418)

Corvey, Germany - Between Heaven and Earth (418/418)

The former Benedictine abbey of Corvey was one of the most important monasteries of the Middle Ages. It owes its origins to the victory of Charlemagne at the bloody battle of Brunsberg on the Weser in 775, after which the Emperor set about subjugating and Christianizing the Saxons. His vision was to create a bastion of the faith around France; a base for the missionary work to the north and east. But the Emperor did not live to see the monks from Corbie Abbey in Western France settle into their new home on the Weser.

Of the original monastic settlement, only the Carolingian westwork has survived the test of time. We are fortunate that it did, because we have the central structure of the former monastery church behind it to thank for many deep insights into the architecture of the time. The Carolingian method of construction using quarry stone walls was innovative, modern and impressive. It combined innovation with the lessons of antiquity at a very high level. This is particularly evident inside the westwork with its original, preserved vaulted entrance hall with columns and pillars.