This is the great bronze portal of Aachen Cathedral. These heavy bronze doors were cast in one piece in 800 AD. This door is also called the Wolfstur (wolf’s door).
There is an interesting story about the lion’s mouth in the right door. If you stick your finger you can feel devil’s thumb. According to a legend, the city fathers of Aachen ran into financial difficulties during the construction of the cathedral. They approached the devil for help. The devil agreed to help under the condition that he would take the soul of the first person to enter the Cathedral as his compensation. He wanted the soul of the bishop who would enter first to inaugurate the cathedral. The citizens agreed and the construction was completed.
Now the citizens devised a plan to trick the devil. They chased a wolf through the portal, and the devil tore its soul out. The devil realized how he was tricked and in his rage he shut the doors with such force that the door cracked. His thumb too was caught in it in this impact and is believed to be caught in the lion’s mouth. I saw tourists put their hand in the lion’s mouth to feel the devil’s thumb. I too tried feeling it. There is a statue of the wolf near the entrance, inside.
There is an interesting story about the lion’s mouth in the right door. If you stick your finger you can feel devil’s thumb. According to a legend, the city fathers of Aachen ran into financial difficulties during the construction of the cathedral. They approached the devil for help. The devil agreed to help under the condition that he would take the soul of the first person to enter the Cathedral as his compensation. He wanted the soul of the bishop who would enter first to inaugurate the cathedral. The citizens agreed and the construction was completed.
Now the citizens devised a plan to trick the devil. They chased a wolf through the portal, and the devil tore its soul out. The devil realized how he was tricked and in his rage he shut the doors with such force that the door cracked. His thumb too was caught in it in this impact and is believed to be caught in the lion’s mouth. I saw tourists put their hand in the lion’s mouth to feel the devil’s thumb. I too tried feeling it. There is a statue of the wolf near the entrance, inside.
26 comments:
One piece? Amazing. You find the best stuff.
Oh, you do find the best stuff indeed, Indrani! I love the story! I'm sure I'm too much of a chicken to test the devil!! Love the capture of the door and the wolf! Great composition as always! Hope your week is off to a good start! Enjoy!
Sylvia
What amazing ancient stories, Indrani!
You make the mind wonder
with your excellent photos &
post.
And I love your blue orchid very much.
Warm Aloha from Honolulu
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Yes, precious bronze doors.
Brilliant photos and beautiful saying.
Wonderful post and story! Thanks for sharing, have a great day!
Thank you for this adventure.
Please have a good Tuesday.
Those doors are amazing.
BIG door! It must have been quite difficult to install as it has to be very heavy!
Those details on the door are wonderful.
fascinating tale and lovely image of an amazing door!
Love the history behind the door.
Great shots too!
Nice story. Liked the last picture of the post. Thats a story in itself.
Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful photos and interesting story
thanks
Interesting! Cast as one piece amazes me
Poor wolf. A great set of doors. Isn't it odd how small Charles the Great was?
belle ancienne porte
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did u really feel the devil's thumb???
Such interesting read on the history of this church.
Beautiful door. Hard to imagine such exquisite workmanship! And, I loved the story. So, did you feel the devil's thumb?
Fascinating post, Indrani. The stuff of legend is so interesting!
I just love that story! Thank you for sharing.
lovely door, very detailed and interesting.
and the history of this church is very informative.
so interesting story and details!
Interesting story indeed, and what a nice door!
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