The cathedral was undergoing restoration work and many of the great architectural features were masked by scaffolding.
The original cathedral was started in the 11th century (1093), but razed to the ground by the Tatars in 1242. At the end of the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire invaded the area, leading to fortification walls around the cathedral. In the 17th century, a fortified renaissance watchtower was erected on the south side, and was used as a military observation point. I think this is the rounded tower in the left of the shot.
I like the sweet balcony overlooking the buildings.
In 1880, the cathedral was severely damaged in an earthquake.
The present form is the result of a neo-gothic restoration was by Hermann Bollé.
We walked all over the town and enjoyed the crispy cold air. It snowed lightly on us at one stage. Just down the hill from the cathedral we came across a market in a town square (trg) my favourite purchase was a pair of fake fur lined gloves in a deep amethyst purple (I still have them) - my friend's husband called them my muppet skin gloves. They were wonderful in the cold February weather. I love my muppet skin gloves.
I have heard that all of Europe's Gothic Cathedrals now have scaffolding of some kind or another upon them... oh and next time I am in the Nation's Capital, I need to keep an eye out for a lady riding a pink scooter, wearing purple muppet gloves and a Canon around her neck.
February 25th, 2012
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