Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the thick black line—purgatory...an ugly land with angels and devils fighting
over souls. The kid on the gallows illustrates how the medieval Church
threatened even little children with ugly damnation. Notice the angels trying
desperately to save the damned. Just a little more money to the Church
and...I...think...we...can...pull...Grandpa...OUT.
An earlier Romanesque church—just as huge—once stood on this spot. As
you exit, notice the tiny, pointy-topped window in the back-right. It survives
with its circa-1320 fresco from that earlier church. Even back then—when the
city had a population of 1,000—the church seated 1,200. Imagine the entire
community (and their dogs) assembled here to pray and worship their way
through the darkness and uncertainty of medieval life.
• Then, standing at the cathedral door, survey the...
Cathedral Square
The long, triangular square is roughly the shape of the original Viking town
from
A.D.
770.AarhusistheVikingwordfor“mouthofriver.”Theriverflows
to your left to the beach, which—before modern land reclamation—was just
behind the church. The green spire peeking over the buildings dead ahead is
the Church of Our Lady (which we'll visit later on this walk). Fifty yards to
the right, the nubile caryatids by local artist Hans Krull decorate the entry to
the
Hotel Royal
and town casino. (Krull's wildly decorated bar is just bey-
ond, down the stairs at the corner.)
