University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The Plan of St. Gall

a study of the architecture & economy of & life in a paradigmatic Carolingian monastery
Horn, Walter William
  
THE PLAN OF ST. GALL
  
[section]
  
[title page]
  
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS
  
[dedication]
  
[frontispiece]
  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  
FOREWORD
 I. 
CONTENTS: VOLUME I
  
SYNOPSIS OF THE WORK
  
ABBREVIATIONS
collapse section 
PREFACE
  
THE PLAN AND ITS BUILDINGS: A PRELIMINARY ORIENTATION
collapse section 
INDEX TO BUILDING NUMBERS OF PLAN
  
VERZEICHNIS DER GEBÄUDENUMMERN IM PLAN
  
INDEX TO PLAN: VERZEICHNIS ZUM PLAN: INDEX DU PLAN
  
[section]

collapse sectionI. 
I
collapse sectionI. 1. 
I. 1
  
INTRODUCTION
 I.1.1. 
I.1.1
 I.1.2. 
I.1.2
 I.1.3. 
I.1.3
 I.1.4. 
I.1.4
collapse sectionI.1.5. 
I.1.5
  
THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE SCALE OF THE PLAN
collapse sectionI.1.6. 
I.1.6
  
OTHER MORE GENERAL WORKS & NEW CRITICAL EDITIONS
 I.1.7. 
I.1.7
collapse sectionI. 2. 
I. 2
 I.2.1. 
I.2.1
collapse sectionI. 3. 
I. 3
 I.3.1. 
I.3.1
 I.3.2. 
I.3.2
 I.3.3. 
I.3.3
collapse sectionI. 4. 
I. 4
 I.4.1. 
I.4.1
 I.4.2. 
I.4.2
collapse sectionI. 5. 
I. 5
 I.5.1. 
I.5.1
 I.5.2. 
I.5.2
 I.5.3. 
I.5.3
collapse sectionI. 6. 
I. 6
collapse sectionI.6.1. 
I.6.1
  
ABSENCE OF UNDERDRAWING
  
ABSENCE OF GUIDING CONSTRUCTION LINES IN THE ALIGNMENT OF BUILDINGS
  
ABSENCE OF GUIDING UNDERDRAWING IN THE INTERNAL LAYOUT OF INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS
  
ABSENCE OF CENTER POINTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CIRCLES
  
ANGULAR DISTORTIONS CAUSED BY A SHIFT IN THE RELATIVE POSITION OF ORIGINAL AND OVERLAY
  
INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE FLUID EXECUTION OF THE DRAWING AND THE PRECISE DRAFTSMANSHIP REQUIRED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME
collapse sectionI. 7. 
I. 7
 I.7.1. 
I.7.1
 I.7.2. 
I.7.2
collapse sectionI.7.3. 
I.7.3
  
THE TRANSFER OF HOUSES FOR THE WORKMEN AND CRAFTSMEN FROM AN EXTRAMURAL TO AN INTRAMURAL LOCATION
  
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATE QUARTERS FOR VISITING MONKS
  
THE TRANSFER OF THE SCHOOL FOR LAYMEN AND SECULAR PRIESTS TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE THE CLAUSTRUM
 I.7.4. 
I.7.4
 I. 8. 
I. 8
collapse sectionI. 9. 
I. 9
collapse sectionI.9.1. 
I.9.1
  
CONCEPTUAL AFFINITIES WITH COLOGNE CATHEDRAL
  
RELATIVE CHRONOLOGY
  
LIKELIHOOD OF HILDEBOLD'S INVOLVEMENT IN ORIGINAL SCHEME
  
AN ORNAMENTAL DETAIL SUGGESTING THE COURT SCHOOL AS THE CONCEPTUAL HOME OF THE PROTOTYPE PLAN
collapse sectionI. 10. 
I. 10
 I.10.1. 
I.10.1
 I.10.2. 
I.10.2
collapse sectionI. 11. 
I. 11
collapse sectionI.11.1. 
I.11.1
  
REINHARDT, 1952
  
POESCHEL, 1957
  
REINLE, 1963-4
 I.11.2. 
I.11.2
collapse sectionI. 12. 
I. 12
 I.12.1. 
I.12.1
 I.12.2. 
I.12.2
 I.12.3. 
I.12.3
 I.12.4. 
I.12.4
 I.12.5. 
I.12.5
 I.12.6. 
I.12.6
 I.12.7. 
I.12.7
collapse sectionI. 13. 
I. 13
 I.13.1. 
I.13.1
 I.13.2. 
I.13.2
 I.13.3. 
I.13.3
 I.13.4. 
I.13.4
 I.13.5. 
I.13.5
 I.13.6. 
I.13.6
 I.13.7. 
I.13.7
 I.13.8. 
I.13.8
collapse sectionI. 14. 
I. 14
 I.14.1. 
I.14.1
collapse sectionI.14.2. 
I.14.2
  
CONTRADICTORY TITLES NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME
  
THE TITLES NOT THE DRAWING REFLECT THE INTENT OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME
  
THE DRAWING NOT THE TITLES SHOULD BE TRUSTED
  
THE INCONSISTENCIES NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT BUT A CORRECTIVE MEASURE
  
CONFLICTING VIEWS ON SCALE OF THE PLAN
  
IMPROPER TEXTUAL EXEGESIS
  
ANACHRONISM IN MENSURATION
  
EARLY EXPRESSION OF THE VIEW THAT THE PLAN WAS DRAWN TO A CONSISTENT SCALE
collapse sectionI.14.3. 
I.14.3
  
A WORD OF CAUTION
  
THE 2½-FOOT MODULE (STANDARD MODULE)
  
THE 40-FOOT MODULE (LARGE MODULE)
  
THE 160-FOOT MODULE (SUPER MODULE)
  
THE 1¼-FOOT MODULE (SUBMODULE)
 I.14.4. 
I.14.4
 I.14.5. 
I.14.5
 I.14.6. 
I.14.6
collapse sectionI.14.7. 
I.14.7
  
THE CELLAR
  
SCRIPTORIUM & NORTHERN TRANSEPT ARM
  
THE MEDICINAL GARDEN
  
THE HOUSES FOR THE COWS AND THE FOALING MARES
 I.14.8. 
I.14.8
 I.14.9. 
I.14.9
collapse sectionI. 15. 
I. 15
collapse sectionI.15.1. 
I.15.1
  
A UNION OF SCHEMATISM & REALISM
 I. 16. 
I. 16
 I. 17. 
I. 17
collapse sectionII. 
II
collapse sectionII. 1. 
II. 1
  
INTRODUCTION
 II.1.1. 
II.1.1
 II.1.2. 
II.1.2
collapse sectionII.1.3. 
II.1.3
  
CONNECTION WITH IRELAND?
  
CALL TOWERS OR FUNERARY LIGHT TOWERS?
  
BELL TOWERS OR TOWERS OF DEFENSE AND SURVEILLANCE?
  
THE EIGHT-LOBED ROSETTE: A STELLAR AND APOTROPAIC SYMBOL
collapse sectionII.1.4. 
II.1.4
  
ALTAR OF ST. PETER
 II.1.5. 
II.1.5
collapse sectionII.1.6. 
II.1.6
  
CHOIR OF ST. PETER
  
BAPTISMAL FONT AND ALTAR
  
ALTAR OF THE SAVIOR AT THE CROSS & THE PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR LAYMEN
  
AMBO
  
LECTERNS FOR READING
collapse sectionII.1.7. 
II.1.7
  
THE CROSSING SQUARE AND ITS FURNISHINGS
  
SOUTHERN TRANSEPT ARM
  
NORTHERN TRANSEPT ARM
collapse sectionII.1.8. 
II.1.8
  
HIGH ALTAR: ST. MARY AND ST. GALL
  
WALL BENCHES
  
TOMB OF ST. GALL AND ITS RELATION TO THE CRYPT
collapse sectionII.1.9. 
II.1.9
  
ALTAR OF ST. PAUL
  
SYNTHRONON
collapse sectionII.1.10. 
II.1.10
  
OUTER CRYPT
  
INNER CRYPT
 II.1.11. 
II.1.11
collapse sectionII.1.12. 
II.1.12
  
LAYOUT
  
LOCATION
  
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
  
READING COLLECTION
  
MAIN LIBRARY
  
WRITING POSTURE AND VARIOUS CLASSES OF SCRIBES
  
METHOD OF CATALOGING AND SHELVING BOOKS
  
NUMBER OF SCRIBES & COLLABORATION
  
DAILY WORK SPAN
  
A NOBLE OR BACKBREAKING TASK?
 II.1.13. 
II.1.13
collapse sectionII. 2. 
II. 2
collapse sectionII.2.1. 
II.2.1
  
MATERIAL AND WALL THICKNESS
  
ELEVATION
  
COLUMNS
  
CROSSING
  
CRYPT
  
WINDOWS
  
ROOF
  
ROOF COVERING
collapse sectionII.2.2. 
II.2.2
  
GEORG DEHIO (1887) & JOSEPH HECHT (1924)
  
HANS REINHARDT (1937 and 1952)
  
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF DEHIO'S INTERPRETATION
  
WOLFGANG SCHÖNE (1960)
  
ADOLF REINLE (1963-64)
collapse sectionII. 3. 
II. 3
 II.3.1. 
II.3.1
 II.3.2. 
II.3.2
 II.3.3. 
II.3.3
 II.3.4. 
II.3.4
 II.3.5. 
II.3.5
 II.3.6. 
II.3.6
 II.3.7. 
II.3.7
 II.3.8. 
II.3.8
 II.3.9. 
II.3.9
collapse sectionII.3.10. 
II.3.10
  
PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF THE GRID OF SQUARES
  
MEDITERRANEAN OR NORTHERN ROOTS: A DIVISION OF MINDS
  
INCREASING PROPENSITY FOR MODULAR SPACE DIVISION IN PRE-CAROLINGIAN AND CAROLINGIAN ARCHITECTURE NORTH OF THE ALPS
  
NEW LITURGICAL NEEDS CONTRIBUTING TO MODULAR SPACE DIVISION
  
MODULAR SPACE DIVISION: AN INTRINSIC FEATURE OF PREHISTORIC, PROTOHISTORIC, AND MEDIEVAL WOOD CONSTRUCTION
  
MODULAR AREA DIVISION: AN INTRINSIC FEATURE IN THE LAYOUT AND DESIGN OF ILLUMINATED PAGES IN HIBERNO-SAXON AND CAROLINGIAN MANUSCRIPTS
  
MODULAR AREA DIVISION: AN INTELLECTUAL PRINCIPLE AFFECTING THE CONCEPTUAL ORGANIZATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHURCH AND STATE
  
SETBACK AND RE-EMERGENCE
collapse sectionIII. 
III
collapse sectionIII. 1. 
III. 1
 III.1.1. 
(III.1.1)
 III.1.2. 
III.1.2
 III.1.3. 
III.1.3
collapse sectionIII.1.4. 
III.1.4
  
DIMENSIONS
  
THE PUZZLE OF THE SAVIN PLANT
  
THE GALLERIED PORCHES
collapse sectionIII.1.5. 
III.1.5
collapse section 
Dormitory
  
HOW THE MONKS ARE TO SLEEP
  
LAYOUT OF THE BEDS
  
FEARS OF THE VIGILANT ABBOT
  
ABSENCE OF STAIRS
collapse section 
Warming room
  
METHOD OF HEATING
  
PURPOSE
  
RECONSTRUCTION
collapse sectionIII.1.6. 
III.1.6
  
LAYOUT
  
A STRANGE VISIT AT NIGHT: ITS SANITARY, MORAL, AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPLICATIONS
  
TIMES SET FORMALLY ASIDE FOR THE USE OF THE PRIVY
collapse sectionIII.1.7. 
III.1.7
  
CONCEPT OF CLEANLINESS & DIRECTIVES CONCERNING THE USE OF BATHS
  
NUMBER, LOCATIONS & LAYOUT OF FACILITIES FOR BATHING & WASHING
collapse sectionIII.1.8. 
III.1.8
collapse section 
Refectory
  
TABLES AND BENCHES
  
READER'S PULPIT
  
CUPBOARDS
  
LACK OF FACILITIES FOR HEATING
  
LAYOUT OF TABLES AND BENCHES IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
  
NUMBER AND HOURS OF MEALS OF THE MONKS
  
THE MONKS' DIET
  
MONKS' BEHAVIOR DURING THE MEAL
  
THE READER
  
THE SERVERS
  
WHO IS ADMITTED BESIDE THE MONKS
collapse section 
Vestiary
  
WHAT CLOTHES THE MONKS ARE TO WEAR
collapse sectionIII.1.9. 
III.1.9
  
LAYOUT AND FURNISHINGS
  
DESIGN OF COOKING RANGE
  
ARCHITECTURAL SHELL
  
KITCHEN UTENSILS
  
RULES GOVERNING WORK IN THE KITCHEN
collapse sectionIII.1.30. 
III.1.30
collapse section 
Cellar
  
LAYOUT, DESIGN, AND DIMENSIONS OF CASKS
collapse section 
THE BARRELS IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
  
An invention of the Celts
  
Egyptian & Greco-Roman methods of storing wine
  
The barrel: constructional & viticultural advantages
  
The oldest extant barrel and the earliest visual representations
collapse section 
THE MEASURE OF WINE AND BEER ALLOWED TO THE MONKS
  
Conflicting views among the early fathers
  
No difference in alcoholic content between ancient and modern wines
  
The hemina of St. Benedict: Charlemagne's attempts to establish its value
  
The Carolingian inflation of capacity measures
  
The probable daily allowance of wine at the time The Plan of St. Gall was drawn
  
ARE THE BARRELS DRAWN TO SCALE AND SCALED TO NEED?
  
CONCLUSION
  
LACK OF FACILITIES FOR THE PRESSING OF GRAPES
  
Larder
collapse sectionIII.1.11. 
III.1.11
  
ITS DUAL ROLE: CONVERSATION WITH VISITORS & WASHING OF FEET
  
MANDATUM FRATRUM AND MANDATUM HOSPITUM
collapse sectionIII. 2. 
III. 2
 III.2.1. 
III.2.1
 III.2.2. 
III.2.2
collapse sectionIII.2.3. 
III.2.3
  
LAYOUT OF THE CLOISTER
  
NOVICES AND THEIR SUPERVISORS
  
DIET AND CLOTHING
collapse sectionIII.2.4. 
III.2.4
  
LAYOUT OF THE CLOISTER
  
CARE OF THE SICK: THEIR DIETARY PREROGATIVES
  
ADMISSION TO INFIRMARY
 III.2.5. 
III.2.5
collapse sectionIII.2.6. 
III.2.6
  
ITS CLASSICISM
collapse section 
ROMAN IMPERIAL PROTOTYPES
  
Constantine's basilica at Trier
  
The porticus villa at Konz
  
Other porticus villas in the territory of the Salian Franks
  
Could they still be seen in Carolingian times?
collapse sectionIII.2.7. 
III.2.7
  
THREE SEPARATE CLOISTERS: AN ANSWER TO MONASTIC STRATIFICATION
  
AXIALITY OF CHURCHES: A PRINCIPLE INHERITED FROM EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE
  
GROUPING OF BUILDING MASSES: A TRANSFER TO SITE ORGANIZATION OF PRINCIPLES DEVELOPED IN BOOK ILLUMINATION
 III.2.8. 
III.2.8
collapse sectionIII. 3. 
III. 3
 III.3.1. 
III.3.1
 III.3.2. 
III.3.2
 III.3.3. 
III.3.3
 III.3.4. 
III.3.4
 III.3.5. 
III.3.5
collapse sectionIV. 
IV
  
INTRODUCTION
collapse sectionIV. 1. 
IV. 1
collapse sectionIV.1.1. 
IV.1.1
  
AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATION
  
ELECTIVITY OF OFFICE
  
MANORIAL POWER AND MILITARY OBLIGATIONS
 IV.1.2. 
IV.1.2
 IV.1.3. 
IV.1.3
 IV.1.4. 
IV.1.4
 IV.1.5. 
IV.1.5
 IV.1.6. 
IV.1.6
 IV.1.7. 
IV.1.7
 IV.1.8. 
IV.1.8
 IV.1.9. 
IV.1.9
 IV.1.10. 
IV.1.10
 IV.1.11. 
IV.1.11
 IV.1.12. 
IV.1.12
collapse sectionIV. 2. 
IV. 2
 IV.2.1. 
IV.2.1
 IV.2.2. 
IV.2.2
collapse sectionIV.2.3. 
IV.2.3
  
OPUS DEI
  
LECTIO DIVINA
  
OPUS MANUUM
collapse sectionIV. 3. 
IV. 3
collapse sectionIV.3.1. 
IV.3.1
  
FAMILIA INTUS
  
FAMILIA FORIS
collapse sectionIV. 4. 
IV. 4
 IV.4.1. 
IV.4.1
 IV.4.2. 
IV.4.2
collapse sectionIV. 5. 
IV. 5
 IV.5.1. 
IV.5.1
collapse sectionIV. 6. 
IV. 6
collapse sectionIV.6.1. 
IV.6.1
  
RESPONSIBLE MONASTIC OFFICIALS
  
MANAGEMENT BY MONKS OR BY LAYMEN?
  
SIZE
collapse sectionIV. 7. 
IV. 7
collapse sectionIV.7.1. 
IV.7.1
  
IMPROVEMENT OF TREES BY GRAFTING
  
IMPROVED METHODS IN MANAGEMENT: BREEDING OF LIVESTOCK
  
NEW STANDARDS IN MANAGERIAL PRACTICE AND THEORY
collapse sectionIV.7.2. 
IV.7.2
  
NEW OR UNUSUAL HEATING DEVICES
  
SYSTEMATIC USE OF WATER POWER
 IV.7.3. 
IV.7.3
 IV.7.4. 
IV.7.4
 IV.7.5. 
IV.7.5
 IV.7.6. 
IV.7.6
 IV.7.7. 
IV.7.7

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section The Plan of St. Gall
next section

PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF THE GRID OF SQUARES

On the Plan of St. Gall the square and the grid of squares
are used in two different ways: as a method of mensuration,
and as an aesthetic principle. In the first instance the square
grid offered a convenient method of dividing a given area
internally by defining it as a multiple or fraction of certain
modular master units (2½-foot square, 40-foot square, 160foot
square).[282] In the other case, the square grid was used
as an active principle of architectural composition. It is this
latter type alone with which we are now concerned. Reinhardt
categorically denied its presence on the Plan of St.
Gall.[283] Similar views were expressed in 1945 by Samuel
Guyer,[284] but convincingly challenged in 1952 by Albert
Knoepfli[285] in a drawing which shows a grid of 10-foot
squares superimposed upon the Plan of the Church.[286] My
own analysis of the scale and construction methods used in

213

Page 213
[ILLUSTRATION]

172. COLOGNE. CAROLINGIAN CATHEDRAL OF SS PETER AND MARY

Like Fulda (fig. 169) and doubtlessly under the same influence, i.e., of Old St. Peter's in Rome (fig. 170), the transept is located in the west. As in
Fulda and in the other Carolingian churches discussed here, the use of modules imparts to the layout of the spaces an aesthetic character wholly
different from the squat corporeality of their Early Christian prototypes.

 designing the Plan corroborated this view.[287] In view of the
visual evidence submitted by Knoepfli, as well as my own
analysis of the system of squares shown in figures 61 and
173, I do not see how the validity of this contention could
ever again be questioned.

 
[282]

Cf. above, pp. 77ff.

[283]

Reinhardt, 1937, 269: "A première vue, déjà, on reconnait que,
dans le dessin, le choeur ne forme pas un quadrilatère a côtés égaux,
mais qu'il est nettement barlong. De même, on constatera, a l'aide d'un
compas, que les croisillons, à leur tour, n'attaignent pas le carré
parfait." On the basis of these observations Reinhardt, 1952, 25, goes so
far as to question the entire schematism of the Church of the Plan of St.
Gall: "Es is bereits die Rede davon gewesen, dass in neuerer Zeit dem
Klosterplan von St. Gallen eine in die Zukunft weisende Bedeutung
zugemessen wurde, insofern in seinem Kirchengrundriss bereits die
Quadratur massgeblich gewesen sei sowie sie erst zweihundert Jahre
später in den deutschen Bauten des 11. Jahrhunderts ausgebildet wurde.
Es is oben gezeigt worden dass dies jedenfalls für den Plan von St.
Gallen nicht zutrifft." Even Edgar Lehmann, in his excellent book Der
frühe deutsche Kirchenbau, shares this erroneous view (Lehmann, 1938,
137).

[284]

Guyer, 1945, 98 and 100.

[285]

Knoepfli, 1952, 193-236, and 1961, 213ff.

[286]

Knoepfli, 1952, 207, fig. H.

[287]

See Horn, 1966, 302 ff, and above, p. 86, fig. 61.

previous section The Plan of St. Gall
next section