0080 Der hochgotische Chor von Maria am Gestade in Wien – Bauintention und Nutzung

Abstract

In the middle of the 14th century, the chapel Maria am Gestade at the edge of the medieval city of Vienna was extended by a three-bay chancel with a double narthex and portal. Construction of the tower on a heptogonal groundplan was started at the same time. Besides stylistic and organizational connections with St. Stephan's Cathedral, the innovation of the choir can be seen in the reduction of the mural volume in favor of an enormous increase of the window size. The present paper combines the analysis of written sources with stylistic comparisons including the examination of the stonemarks. A final conclusion is made on the founder's intentions as well as on medieval use of the chancel.