Craig

The Carolingian gatehall was believed to be built sometime in the early 9th century. Not in the time of Charlemange as some believed prior to that time. An exact date or year is not mentioned. There is one mention of an ecclesia varia (a colorful church) in 870’s that could possibly be referring to the gate hall, but it not known for sure. Its design revives many classical elements with its triple arched gateway, patterned stone work, composite columns and fluted pilasters. ** The Carolingian gatehall was turned into a chapel in the year 860. Before that, it was originally used as a propylaeum to greet important guests at the monastery at lorsch. It Is one of the few remaining examples of architecture left in germany that is post-Roman, but pre-Romanesque. It is built in the style of Carolingian. The Carolingian gatehall is located in Lorsch, a town located in the Bergstraße district in Hesse, Germany, and borders in the north on the community of Einhausen and the town Bensheim. It borders to the east on the town of Heppenheim, and on the southeast on the community of Laudenbach and the town of Hemsbach, and in the south on the town of Lampertheim, and in the west in the town of Bürstad. It's exact location is Nibelungenstr. 35, 64653 Lorsch, Germany‎ - 06251 10382-0‎ -. It was once a part of the Lorsch Abbey, the west gate. The Lorsch Abbey was founded in 764 by Cancor, a Frankish Count, and Williswinda, his mother. The Abbey was one of the greatest centers of Carolingian art. In the Early and High Middle Ages, the Abbey was a powerful monastery, with land in the nearby mountains, Odenwald. However, in the 11th century, the civil war that resulted from the Investiture controversy made the Abbey sustain a great loss in holding its nobility. In the late 12th century there was an attempt to reorganize the administration. But, in 1232, Lorsch was awarded to the Archbishop of Mainz, and was settled anew by the Premonstratensians. The gate hall is a good example of Romanesque architecture because of it's triple arches, which were/are used as entrances and exits. Also because it's walls are made of thick stone and small bits of rubble. Since it is located in germany, brick was most likely used. The stones were usually relatively small and irregular, held together by a thick mortar. Pillars were also used as a decoration and to help hold it up. The pillars are decorated with a plant-like design at the top, with branches off into stone borders and pointed arches. The building also has a tile-like exterior pattern which looks a bit like the Star of David Today, the gate hall is now a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) protected World Heritage site, admitted in 1991. After centuries of war and conflict, renascence and joy, the Gate hall still stands tall and proud to this day, as it did all those years ago.

Works cited

"Lorsch." Wikipedia. Wikipedia. 23 Nov 2008 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorsch>.

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Carrier, Louis. "Romanesque Architecture-Gateway." Gate way. NHCS. 23 Nov 2008 < http://nhcs.sad7.k12.me.us:16080/~louis/Architecture/DOCS/Romanesque4.html>.

Wikipedia. "Romanesque Architecture." Wikipedia. Wikipedia. 23 Nov 2008 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanesque_architecture>.

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"Lorsch Abbey." Kloster-lorsch. Kloster-lorsch. 23 Nov 2008 .