Sunday, November 19, 2017

Münsterpfleger

Red Baron has always admired and supported the Freiburg Minster church and its steeple,  according to Jacob Burckhardtthe most beautiful on earth (der schönste Turm auf Erden),

When I moved to Freiburg in 2001, I noticed that the Münsterbauverein (MBV, Minster Building Association) was not presented on the Internet. So, I built their first homepage, which was eventually replaced in 2012 by a more professional presentation by specialists.

As remuneration, the MBV presented me with a slice of an original medieval pinnacle that I proudly exhibited on my balcony.

Note the stonemason's mark.

Last year, the MBV invited its members to become more financially active by reviving the medieval Münsterpfleger (Minster keeper or caretaker of the Minster).


Eventually, I received a photo of my investiture as Münsterpfleger. Red Baron is wearing too small a cape that was only available for photo shooting. The picture was taken on the fringe of the opening of an exhibition of gargoyles from the Minster church.

©Daniel Schoenen/MBV
Here are some highlights of the gargoyle exhibition. Gargoyles on medieval cathedrals, like the woman with only one tooth, are supposed to deter evil spirits. During the early Reformation, nuns left their convents and frequently married runaway monks, so the gargoyle got a particular interpretation. The rumor spread that only nuns with teeth were allowed to marry. In this sense, the water-spouting nun presents her one remaining tooth: Look, I am still available for marriage.

One tooth only
Aufhocker (crouchers) are a popular motif for gargoyles on medieval churches depicting people having nightmares. Humans or wild animals are crouching on people, giving them bad dreams.

The oldest gargoyle at the Minster church dates from 1240
A billy goat crouching on a man symbolizes lust (wet dreams?)
The sow symbolizes gluttony
Blecken, i.e., showing the butt
was a well-known motif in the Middle Ages to deter evil spirits.
Nowadays, the word blacken is used only in the combination of Zähne blecken:
A dog bares its teeth.
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