St. Michael's Church, Hildesheim

Painted Ceiling (Detail)

Back to Photo Gallery | Back to Article |

Previous | Next

The painted wooden ceiling of the nave is a rare and beautiful survival, dating from 1230. It survives thanks to its removal in 1943 before wartime bombing destroyed much of the church. Comprised of 1,300 oak boards covering an area 27.8m long by 8.7m wide, it depicts the Tree of Jesse (the family tree of Christ). Also pictured are 42 medallions of the ancestors of Christ, Adam and Eve, the Four Evangelists, and the Rivers of Paradise. The area showing Christ enthroned is the only part that is not original - that section of the ceiling collapsed in 1650 and was remade in 1960.

How to license this photo.

Sacred Destinations Home Contact Us About Us About Images Advertise Spiritual Tours Timeshares Blog Privacy Policy
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-09 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get our daily photo gadget.
Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys. We are a Yahoo Pick!
Popular categories: Ancient Mysteries, Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites
Popular sites: Easter Island, Lourdes, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Oberammergau Passion Play, Shroud of Turin 2010, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Stonehenge
Popular destinations: Rome, Rome Map, Ravenna, Ephesus, Assisi, Paris, Jerusalem
Our stock photo site: Sacred Destinations Photography