Angers Cathedral (french: Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d'Angers) is a
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
* Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
* Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
church
Church may refer to:
Religion
* Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities
* Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination
* Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship
* C ...
dedicated to
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice (also Moritz, Morris, or Mauritius; ) was an Egyptian military leader who headed the legendary Theban Legion of Rome in the 3rd century, and is one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that martyred group. He is the ...
in
Angers
Angers (, , ) is a city in western France, about southwest of Paris. It is the prefecture of the Maine-et-Loire department and was the capital of the province of Anjou until the French Revolution. The inhabitants of both the city and the pr ...
, France. It is the seat of the
Bishops of Angers.
Built between the 11th and 16th centuries, it is known for its mixture of romanesque and
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture (or pointed architecture) is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It ...
, its ornate
Baroque altar and sculpture. It also has an extensive collection of stained glass windows, including the
transept
A transept (with two semitransepts) is a transverse part of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In cruciform churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building wi ...
's window of
Saint Julian, considered to be a masterpiece of French 13th-century glasswork. as a
national monument of France.
History
The first cathedral
The earliest cathedral on the site was dedicated to the
Virgin Mary
Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...
but in 396 Saint
Martin Martin may refer to:
Places
* Martin City (disambiguation)
* Martin County (disambiguation)
* Martin Township (disambiguation)
Antarctica
* Martin Peninsula, Marie Byrd Land
* Port Martin, Adelie Land
* Point Martin, South Orkney Islands
Austr ...
, the
Archbishop of Tours
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tours (Latin: ''Archidioecesis Turonensis''; French: ''Archidiocèse de Tours'') is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. The archdiocese has roots that go back to the 3rd centu ...
, added the Theban Egyptian martyr
Saint Maurice
Saint Maurice (also Moritz, Morris, or Mauritius; ) was an Egyptian military leader who headed the legendary Theban Legion of Rome in the 3rd century, and is one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that martyred group. He is the ...
to the dedication. He had acquired a relic of some of the blood of the members of the
Theban Legion
The Theban Legion (also known as the Martyrs of Agaunum) figures in Christian hagiography as a Roman legion from Egypt—"six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men"—who converted en masse to Christianity and were martyred together in 286, a ...
, who were martyred with Saint Maurice in the 3rd century for converting to
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
. The relic was brought to Tours and later, according to the legend, a phial of it was given to Angers.
In the 7th century, an additional devotion to
Saint Maurilius, the Bishop of Angers in the 4th century, began. A biography of him was written and in 873 his body was transferred to the cathedral. For 200 years Saints Maurilius and Maurice were frequently mentioned together as the patron saints of the cathedral but gradually Saint Maurice became the primary patron.
[David King,]
Angers Cathedral
, (book review of Karine Boulanger's 2010 book, ''Les Vitraux de la Cathédrale d’Angers'', the 11th volume of the ''Corpus Vitrearum'' series from France), ''Vidimus: the only on-line magazine devoted to medieval stained glass'', Issue 48, February 2011, retrieved 17 December 2013
The Romanesque to the Baroque cathedral
At the beginning of the 11th century, Hubert de Vendôme, the Bishop of Angers from 1010 to 1047, decided to build a new cathedral in the
Romanesque style to replace the existing church. The new church was consecrated on 16 August 1025, but in 1032 it was ravaged by a fire.
Geoffroy de Tours, the Bishop of Angers from 1081 to 1093, ordered the reconstruction of the cathedral, which continued under the supervision of his successors, Renaud de Martigné (1102–1125),
Ulger
Ulger (''Ulgerius''; died 1149) was the Bishop of Angers from 1125. Like his predecessor, Rainald de Martigné (died 1123), he consolidated the Gregorian reform in his diocese.
Ulger was a student of Marbod and the latter's successor as archdeac ...
(1125–1148) and Normand de Doué (1148–1153). The altar crucifix was blessed in 1051 and the new altar was consecrated in 1096.
[ "''Les cathédrales dans les Pays de la Loire'' he Cathedrals of the Loire Valley, ''Revue 303'', Issue No. 70, September 2001]
In the mid-12th century, the cathedral underwent another transformation. Atop the Romanesque lower walls new walls and vaults were constructed in the Angevin variation of
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture (or pointed architecture) is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It ...
; which took its name from the historic province of
Anjou Anjou may refer to:
Geography and titles France
* County of Anjou, a historical county in France and predecessor of the Duchy of Anjou
**Count of Anjou, title of nobility
*Duchy of Anjou, a historical duchy and later a province of France
**Duk ...
, a fiefdom of the French crown. The vaults were composed of high crossing ribs, supported by rows of clustered columns and pillars in the nave below. This allowed the construction of very large windows on the upper walls between the ribs. filling the interior with light.
The rebuilding of the nave was followed by that of the choir and the new transept. This was carried out between 1235 and 1274, largely under the direction of Guillaume de Beaumont, the Bishop of Angers from 1203 to 1240. The choir followed a similar design as the nave, with the grand arches replaced by large blind arches topped with a narrow passageway, now decorated with a wrought-iron railing, below the large windows of the upper level. The arches are taller a more slender than those of the nave, and the decoration more stylised.
In the 17th century the interior of the church underwent another rebuilding; Angers Cathedral was one of the first in France to redesign its interior following the directives of the
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent ( la, Concilium Tridentinum), held between 1545 and 1563 in Trent (or Trento), now in northern Italy, was the 19th ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. Prompted by the Protestant Reformation, it has been described a ...
, to make the interior more welcoming and decorative for ordinary worshippers, and to remove the barriers between the clergy and the congregation. This was the arrival of
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a highly decorative and theatrical style which appeared in Italy in the early 17th century and gradually spread across Europe. It was originally introduced by the Catholic Church, particularly by the Jesuits, as a means t ...
into churches. The jubé, or rood screen, which separated the clergy and congregation was removed, and the altar was moved from the center of the choir to a position closer to the congregation in the nave. The majestic new baldaquin over the altar, with columns of red marble supporting a great crown of filled with sculpture, was installed in 1757. The altar beneath faces both toward the clergy in the choir and the worshippers in the nave.
Renaissance and later additions
In the 16th century, the architect Jean Delespine constructed a new base to the two towers. The lower portio, in the new
Renaissance style
Renaissance architecture is the European architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 16th centuries in different regions, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought a ...
, was covered with sculpture depicting Saint Maurice and his seven knight-companions and their martyrdom. They also gave the central tower a Renaissance-style hexagonal crown, finished in 1515. Another Renaissance spire was built atop the south tower, completed in 1523. The deteriorating original sculptures were largely replaced with copies in 1909.
[Laissez-vous conter la cathédrale Saint-Maurice : Angers Patrimoines – Angers.fr](_blank)
(in French)
19th and 20th century
In 1806, the mediaeval porch on the west front had to be demolished because of its dilapidated condition. Built in the Angevin Gothic style in front of the entrance gate, it had two levels. Four pointed arches are the only surviving vestiges of the original porch. In the mid-19th century, the Neo-Gothic
pulpit was created by the Bishop Choyer, with the support of
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc
Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc (; 27 January 181417 September 1879) was a French architect and author who restored many prominent medieval landmarks in France, including those which had been damaged or abandoned during the French Revolution. H ...
, who was overseeing multiple Gothic restoration projects in France.
Various reconstruction projects were developed in the 20th century but none of them went beyond the planning stage.
Design
![Plan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Plan.cathedrale.Angers.png)
The original Romanesque church was rebuilt with Gothic details in the mid-12th century. The single aisle was vaulted with pointed arches resting on a re-clad interior elevation. The
nave
The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...
consists of three simple bays, with single bays on either side of a
crossing forming a
transept
A transept (with two semitransepts) is a transverse part of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In cruciform churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building wi ...
, followed by a single-bay
choir
A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which sp ...
, backed by an
apse
In architecture, an apse (plural apses; from Latin 'arch, vault' from Ancient Greek 'arch'; sometimes written apsis, plural apsides) is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome, also known as an '' exedra''. ...
.
[ ]
Dimensions
* Overall length:
* Width of the west front:
* Height of the vault of the nave:
* Width of the nave: (same as the
Chartres Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres (french: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres), is a Roman Catholic church in Chartres, France, about southwest of Paris, and is the seat of the Bishop of Chartres. Mostly con ...
)
* Length of the nave:
* Height of the two spires:
Exterior
The west front
File:Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d'Angers, Angers, Pays de la Loire, France - panoramio - M.Strīķis.jpg, The west front - Three levels illustrate the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance
File:France Angers Cathedral portal c.JPG, Romanesque portal of the west front
File:F2655 Angers cathedrale Saint-Maurice tympan portail detail rwk.jpg, Detail of the tympanum, with traces of original colors
File:Angers-Kathedrale-116-Westfassade-Detail-2008-gje.jpg, Detail of the west front- St. Maurice and his martyr-knights (16th c.; replaced with copies in 1909)
File:Cathédrale St Maurice Angers 6.jpg, Upper levels of the three towers: Gothic left and right, Renaissance crown in center (16th c.)
The west front clearly illustrates the three different periods of the construction of the cathedral. The lower portions are Romanesque, with thick walls, rounded arches, and a Romanesque portal and a central window. The towers on either side are
Flamboyant
Flamboyant (from ) is a form of late Gothic architecture that developed in Europe in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance, from around 1375 to the mid-16th century. It is characterized by double curves forming flame-like shapes in the bar-tr ...
Gothic, with rich decoration and a delicate dissymetery. The central tower is a work of
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the European architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 16th centuries in different regions, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of Ancient Greece, ancient Greek and ...
, with classical influences, built between 1533 and 1537.
The portal, much damaged and restored over the centuries, originally was protected by a porch.
tympanum over the doorway represents Christ in majesty, and it is decorated the column-statues from the 12th century. The decorative ironwork on the doors dates to Romanesque period. Above the portal is a later gallery of sculptures depicting eight knights, who represent the companions of Saint Maurice, who joined him in his martyrdom. It was added in the 16th century. The originals were replaced with copies in 1909.
Interior
The nave
File:Loire Maine Angers6 tango7174.jpg, The pulpit in the nave
File:Angers PM 093912 F.jpg, The nave and choir seen from inside the west front, showing the tapestries
The nave was constructed as a single vessel, without chapels. The current chapel on the south lower nave was originally a separate church for the parish, which was later attached to the cathedral. The lower walls are Romanesque, rebuilt in the early 11th century. In about 1150, a major rebuilding added the enormous arches between the supports of the Romanesque walls, up to the middle level of the walls. Then massive pillars of clustered columns were put in place supporting the arches of three large vaults. The space between ribs of the vaults on the upper walls was filled with very large stained glass windows, filling the interior with light.
The choir and transept
File:Interior of Angers Cathedral 008.jpg, Bishop's seat and windows of the choir
File:Loire Maine Angers4 tango7174.jpg, The baroque ciborium, or canopy, over the main altar
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Voûtes - 03.jpg, Vaults of the transept
The choir and transept were constructed after the nave, between 1235 and 1274. The walls and vaults were similar to those of the choir, except that the arcade of large pillars was replaced by blind arches, topped with a narrow passageway halfway up the wall, with a balustrade of cast iron.
The decoration of the choir is particularly notable. Angers was one of the first cathedrals in France to adapt the new Baroque style, imposed by the Vatican
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent ( la, Concilium Tridentinum), held between 1545 and 1563 in Trent (or Trento), now in northern Italy, was the 19th ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. Prompted by the Protestant Reformation, it has been described a ...
in order to make the altar more visible from the nave and to make the interior more dramatic and inspiring. The old
rood screen that separated the choir from the nave was demolished, and the altar was placed between the two spaces. facing both. In 1757, the enormous Baroque
ciborium or altar canopy, supported by columns of red marble and crowned with a pyramid of sculpture by Gervais was put into place.
Art and decoration
Stained glass
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Baie 129 - 02.jpg, The Virgin in Majesty (1190-1226) (Bay 129)
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Baie 123 - 10.jpg, The crowning of the Virgin (1190-1226) (Bay 123)
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Baie 123 - 08.jpg, Dormition of the Virgin (1190-1226) (Bay 123)
File:Angers Cathedral stained glass.jpg, Thomas Becket Window, 13th c. (F-108 left in Choir)
File:Angers Cathedral South Rose Window of Christ with Zodiac.jpg, South rose window of Christ (centre) with elders (bottom half) and Zodiac
The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The pat ...
(top half), by André Robin (1451)
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Rosace du croisillon sud - 03.jpg, Center of the south rose window by André Robin (1451), depicting Christ in Majesty, surrounded by angels musicians, Old Men of the Apocalypse, and signs of the Zodiac
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Baie 109 - 01.jpg, Saint-René et Saint-Cénéré. by Andréi Robin (1451–54) (Bay 109)
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Baie 111 - 03.jpg, Calvary (Bay 111)
The oldest original window dates from about 1165 and depicts the infant Christ. At the end of the 12th century, under Bishop Raoul de Beaumont, new windows were made for the nave. Windows from this period depict the Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the life of the Virgin Mary (Bay 123) and the Martyrdom of Saint Vincent. These are very good examples of the new technique of painting onto glass, or
silver stain In pathology, silver staining is the use of silver to selectively alter the appearance of a target in microscopy of histological sections; in temperature gradient gel electrophoresis; and in polyacrylamide gels.
In traditional stained glass, silv ...
, which became popular in that century. Early windows from the late 12th and early 13th century include the Glorification of the Virgin window (Bay 123), a rare example of a window signed with the emblem of its maker.
A number of windows from the 13th century are found in the choir, including the life of Saint Jean the Baptist. Some of these windows were commissioned by Bishop Guillaume de Beaumont, whose figure appears in the windows devoted to saint Julien, and whose coat of arms appears in the window depicting the life of Saint
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket (), also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and later Thomas à Becket (21 December 1119 or 1120 – 29 December 1170), was an English nobleman who served as Lord Chancellor from 1155 to 1162, and then ...
(F-108 left in the Choir). Some of the windows mix glass from different periods; the window of the Life of Saint Martin contains glass from the 16th century, from the Priory of the Verger of Seichs-sur-le-Loire, combined with earlier works from 1230 to 1235, which were originally made for the transept.
Following a fire in 1451, new windows were commissioned from André Robin representing large figures of the saints standing before architectural settings. One of his notable windows is in Bay 109, depicting Saint René. was also the creator of the two rose windows, which depict the signs of the coming end of the world, a popular theme in 15th century manuscripts, but rare in stained glass windows.
By the end of the 19th century any of the early windows had been destroyed. Other early windows in the nave were destroyed by a bomb in 1944. They were restored in the 1950s by the Paris glassmaker and painter
Jacques Le Chevallier. The new windows depict the saints particularly venerated in the Angers diocese.
Wood carving – the pulpit
File:00 2561 Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d'Angers.jpg, The pulpit in the nave
File:Angers - Cathédrale Saint Maurice 036.jpg, The sculpture of Adam supporting the pulpit
File:P1330929 Angers cathedrale St-Maurice chaire detail rwk.jpg, carved decoration of the pulpit
File:Angers - Cathédrale Saint Maurice 039.jpg, Detail of carving of the pulpit
File:Angers - Cathédrale Saint Maurice 014.jpg, Carved image of Moses on the pulpit
File:F0992 Angers cathedrale St-Maurice stalles rwk.jpg, Choir stalls (19th c.)
The cathedral is noted for the rich wood carving of the pulpit. It was created in the 19th century by the Abbot and sculptor Choyer in the
Neo-Gothic
Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic, neo-Gothic, or Gothick) is an architectural movement that began in the late 1740s in England. The movement gained momentum and expanded in the first half of the 19th century, as increasingly ...
style, at the suggestion of
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc
Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc (; 27 January 181417 September 1879) was a French architect and author who restored many prominent medieval landmarks in France, including those which had been damaged or abandoned during the French Revolution. H ...
, who was involved in the major restoration of the cathedral. Its carved sculpture features images of the patron of the cathedral, Saint Maurice, as well a figure of Adam supporting the pulpit from below.
Tapestries
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Tapisserie de Saint-Jean-Baptiste - 01.jpg, Tapestry - Scene from life of St. John the Baptist
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Tapisserie de Saint-Jean-Baptiste - 03.jpg, Tapestry; scene from life of St. John the Baptist
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Tapisserie des anges portant les instruments de la Passion - 02.jpg, Tapestry of angels carrying instruments of the Passion
The cathedral has a particularly fine collection of medieval tapestries. The oldest group, which depicts the
Apocalypse and Acts of Revelation, was donated to the cathedral by
René of Anjou
René of Anjou ( it, Renato; oc, Rainièr; ca, Renat; 1409–1480) was Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence from 1434 to 1480, who also reigned as King of Naples as René I from 1435 to 1442 (then deposed as the preceding dynasty was restored t ...
in 1480. It is now displayed at the
Château d'Angers. The other ninety tapestries in the collection were made in Flanders and France from the 15th to the 18th century, and were gathered together in the cathedral in the second part of the 19th century, and are one of the most important single collections in Europe. In the past they were displayed only for certain religious holidays. Now they are hung as a group only during the festivals of Saint John and Saint Maurice, with the others only displayed individually according to the liturgical calendar.
Murals
In about 1980 several remarkable mural paintings dating from 1240 to 1260 were discovered hidden behind the elaborate 18th century woodwork in the back of the apse, which had been created by Sébastien Leyssner. They depict the miracles achieved by Saint
Maurilius of Angers
Saint Maurilius (french: Maurille) (''c''. 336 – 453), a priest originally from Milan, was the bishop of Angers between 423 and 453. Alban Butler, ''Butler's Lives of the Saints, Volume 9: September'', edited by Paul Burns (Collegeville, Minneso ...
, a 5th-century bishop of Angers, whose miracles included the resurrection of Saint René, who later became a member of the chapter of the cathedral.
Sculpture
File:Angers Cathedral Christ in Majesty TTaylor.JPG, Tympanum of the west portal, showing Christ in Majesty
Christ in Majesty or Christ in Glory ( la, Maiestas Domini) is the Western Christian image of Christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world, always seen frontally in the centre of the composition, and often flanked by other sacred figures, whos ...
, surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists
File:Angers Cathedral sculpture at west door TTaylor.JPG, Sculpture of the west portal (12th c.)
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Chapiteaux - 08.jpg, Sculpted capitals of columns supporting the vaults of the transept
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Chapiteaux - 22.jpg, Column capitals, southwest corner of north transept
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Extérieur - Façade occidentale - Galerie de Saint-Maurice et ses compagnons martyrs - 02.jpg, Details of sculpture of the martyr-companions of Saint Maurice
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Modillons - 13.jpg, Baroque sculpture and earlier modillons behind her in the choir
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Ciborium - 06.jpg, detail of the Baroque ciborium or canopy of the altar, from 1757
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Autel de Saint-Maurice - 02.jpg, Baroque sculpture on the Saint-Maurice altar
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Autel de la Vierge - 01.jpg, Baroque sculpture of the Virgin Altar
The cathedral has a particularly rich collection of sculpture, ranging from Romanesque and Gothic column capitals decorated with faces, to dramatic scenes of Baroque sculpture above the main altar. There is also an assortment of tomb sculpture from different periods.
Other decorative elements
Among the significant works in the cathedral are:
* the north transept was paved by the architect
Guillaume Robin in 1453;
* the straight staircase to the library built by Guillaume Robin, also in 1453, in the south transept. He supervised the construction of the cathedral at the same time as the master glassmaker, André Robin, made the stained glass windows.
[Robin is a common surname in France so it is not possible to establish the actual relationship between the two Robins.]
Grand organ
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Grandes-Orgues - Buffet 04.jpg, Baroque sculpture of the organ case (18th c.)
File:F0990 Angers Cathedrale St-Maurice orgue rwk.jpg, The grand organ (1742–48)
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Grandes-Orgues - Buffet 02.jpg, Detail of the pipe organ case
File:Angers (49) Cathédrale Saint-Maurice - Intérieur - Grandes-Orgues - Tribune 07.jpg, Sculpture of organ tribune (18th c.)
A pipe organ has been in the cathedral from as early as the 14th century but the current version was built only in 1617 by the organ maker, Jacques Girardet, who was probably recycling the pipes and other parts from the previous organ. An earlier organ was replaced in 1416 with a new case by Jean Chabencel but in 1451 it was destroyed by a fire. A replacement was built in 1507 on the initiative of
Anne of Brittany on the original spot, the organ loft in the
choir
A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which sp ...
. It was restored for the first time, after another fire, in 1533 by Peter Bert and for the second time in 1701 by Marin Ingoult, who added the
pedalboard. When Ingoult was done, the organ had, besides the pedalboard, 47
stops with four keyboards (
manuals). In the 18th century, its case was replaced. Between 1869 and 1872, the organ was reorganized by
Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. In 1957 it was electrified, adding 19 stops to make a total of 66 stops, with just three manuals and a pedalboard. It is in the balcony of the organ loft at the west end of the cathedral.
Bells
File:Angers croix d'Anjou Cathédrale Saint-Maurice.jpg, The bell tower, center, topped with the cross of Anjou
File:Le bourdon Maurice de la cathédrale d'Angers 20150613.jpg, The Bourdon, or largest bell, named Maurice
The cathedral has nine bells, housed in central tower. The Bourdon, the largest and oldest bell, with the deepest notes, is named Maurice; It was Founded by the firm of Besson, and weighs 6700 kilograms.
Burials
*
Yolande of Aragon
Yolande of Aragon (11 August 1384 – 14 November 1442) was Duchess of Anjou and Countess of Provence by marriage, who acted as regent of Provence during the minority of her son. She was a daughter of John I of Aragon and his wife Violant ...
*
Margaret of Anjou
*
René of Anjou
René of Anjou ( it, Renato; oc, Rainièr; ca, Renat; 1409–1480) was Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence from 1434 to 1480, who also reigned as King of Naples as René I from 1435 to 1442 (then deposed as the preceding dynasty was restored t ...
See also
*
List of Gothic cathedrals in Europe This is a list of gothic cathedrals in Europe that are active Christians, Christian cathedrals (the seats of bishops), but also includes former cathedrals and churches built in the style of cathedrals, that are significant for their Gothic architect ...
*
French Gothic architecture
French Gothic architecture is an architectural style which emerged in France in 1140, and was dominant until the mid-16th century. The most notable examples are the great Gothic cathedrals of France, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reims Cathedra ...
*
French Gothic stained glass windows
References
Bibliography (in French)
*
External links
Monum.fr: webpage on Angers Cathedral*Complete tour of all the stained glass windows is at Painton Cowen's website, ''The Medieval Stained Glass Photographic Archive'', under the title
Location of the cathedral*
*
*
(in French)
*
ttps://www.patrimoine-histoire.fr/Patrimoine/Angers/Angers-Saint-Maurice.htm Cathédrale Saint-Maurice à Angers – Patrimony of Angers site (in French )
{{coord, 47, 28, 14, N, 0, 33, 18, W, type:landmark_region:FR, display=title
Roman Catholic cathedrals in France
Buildings and structures in Angers
Churches in Maine-et-Loire
Rebuilt buildings and structures
Burial sites of the House of Valois-Anjou