Emperor supplanted by organ

Abstract

The west end of the nave complete with altar for celebrating the mass, architecturally spoke to the conflict between papacy and emperor as to who was Christ's ultimate representative. The emperor customarily sat in enthroned by the entrance with the circular window forming a halo for his majesty. While Henry IV was excommunicated by Pope Gregory VII indicative of the triumph of the papacy, here the contemporary organ diminishes the original iconographic intent.