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Hello and welcome to the second issue of Bacio di Tosca TV
... with Joerg and Dörthe!
This episode is not about a famous poet - it's about an old church:
The Marktkirche you can see behind us!
The interessting on this church is a big pentagram on the church spire!
On the first sights it looks a bit strange on a church.
the pentagram is orientated downwards!
that is reason enough for us to get more information!
We have an appoinment with the woman minister of this church Mrs. "Kreisel-Liebermann"
who will tell about the symbols and the meaning.
She will also give us more information about the church itself!
There is one interessting thing: The number "five" will be very important today
enjoy the report - have fun!
STOPP! you wanted the mention that we're on the fith floor of the parking deck!
We will talk about this later - OK!
This report will take place in Hannover not in Munich - don't be confused by this sign!
Here it starts with the number "five" ... as we have parked on the fifths floor!
... really by accident!!!
Here is the number again!
Only five persons are allowed to use this elevator
at the same time!
this number will chasing us!
I'm here with Mrs. Kreisel-Liebermann the woman minister of ...
"Evangelisch Lutherischen Marktkirche Hannover, St. Georgii et Jacobi"
Mrs. Kreisel-Liebermann will tell something about the church ...
let's start with the organ!
We have three organs in total!
The reason is that the big organ that you can see over there
was build in the fifties and inaugurated 1953 is not placed in the middle of the church
and therefor the acoustic
transmission is a bit complicated especially at concerts
the communication between the choir
and the orchester is difficult that why we decided
to have a new and smaller organ in the middle of the church.
we also decided to refurbuish the big organ
that was inaugurated in 2009 - the organ has more than 4000 pipes!!!!
the range of the pipes is from that small to very big like you can see
The organ is declared as a historic monument
we call it "flower pot" organ as there is no support from the ground.
Than we have also a very small italian organ that is more than 200 years old.
this organ will mainly be used for christening!
Is it this one over there - YES!
Organs are very important for the mass
and also for concerts.
With an organ you have a full orchestra!
As you can mix different pipes and sounds!
These steps are very steep!
This are the manuals a this are the stops
If you pull such a stop for example "whistle"
Than the complete group will sound like a "whistle".
It is also possible to pull multiple stops
and mix the sounds to get different facets.
The plaiting to the manuals is very unique
its from a mammoth ivory!
that was found in ice of Sybiria!
This was done as ivory is not allowed to be used anymore
to protect elephants!
The mammoth ivory was the only solution as it is the
most robust material for manuals!
The swiss organ manufactuer don't wanted to use a cheeper solution!
Maybe you can tell us something more about the historical background of this church?
The roots of this church go back to 1200 A.D.
where old walls and columnes where found.
Down in the basement you still can see the old columns from the romanic church.
The first church was build from local sandstone.
But then the church was removed because it became to small
The new church was build in Gothic style
The first church was sanctified to St. George the dragon killer.
The new church was sanctified to St. Jacobus because it's located
between Scandinavia and santiago de compostela
so it became a pilgrim church as well!
The new church was build 1400 with red bricks!
in the format of a abbey - what is a very special size!
one of these columns uses the same amount of bricks like a single house as they are solid
It has FIVE columns on each side!
Back in 1400 it was a catholic church
there where no chairs but 16 communion tables on the sides
The windows where original colored
The altar you can see over there was custom made for this church
it tell the Jesus live of suffering, rising and ascension
It's made from lime tree with and gold plated
This altar got some unique characteristics
first of all the small pictures at the bottom
for example you can see some prophets and
Sybilla Tobortina a greek prophet who was not christian or jewish
She predicted that there will be someone comming who will same the would: Jesus Christ
Where can she be found? There in the middle - with the hood!
the fourth from left is Jacob who wears glasses
but in 1400 A.D. nobody wears glasses
this should symbolise that Jacob can predit the future!
He was foresighted and plans the future
He was a sucessfull farmer and broaden the way for Israel
so hus second name became "Israel"
This altar was owend by the guelf because it was not acceptable for the protestant.
The reason is that below Jesus there was the chalice placed for the sacrament
This should symbolise that Jesus blood directly flow into the chalice.
For the protestants the sacrament is only a symbol and not a real transformation.
Because of this fact it was removed and replaced by a baroque and neo-gothic altar
But then this original altar was brought back what I really appreciate as it is so vital
I like to show you something very interessting:
Adam and Eve got no belly button!
really - sounds very interessting!
Here you can see Adam and Eve
they got no belly button because they are made and not born!
A funny detail is that Jesus kicks the devil!
Adam and Eve where raised from the realm of the dead and the devil tries to tear them back
The idea of beauty during this age was long hair!
You can see how nice the figues and made with lots of small details!
A simular altar can be found in "Salzwedel" probably from the same artist
What is the meaning of the door?
It's the door to the realm of the dead!
Jesus will open the door to raise Adam and Eve to the paradise
All very symbolic so the people can imagine it as real!
The last picture is Jesus who is in heaven, below him Maria and Johannes
What I really like is how Maria Magdalena is shown here.
She was Jesus confidante and knees below the cross on the side of Johannes.
You have to realise that during that time most of the people couldn't read!
So this altar was the source to learn about Jesus life.
The music from the episode can be downloaded for free at www.bacio-di-tosca.tv
The church was sanctified to St. George and St. Jacobus
In the 80ties it was found that the figures are almost destroyed by acid rain and from the second world war.
Professor Weber from "Braunschweig" made a Geroge and a new Jacobus.
It's a great scene when George kills the dragon
Half nacked with only some protecion and a helmet kills the dragon with his hands
Besides the Jacobus, patron saint of the pilgrim!
The death is close behind him - like in real life!
Jacob only got a bag, a pilgrims stick and a typical hat.
I like the sculptures as they are so realisitic - they are also eyecatching as
they are so bright and only slightly grey
The bell tower of the "Marktkirche" has something unique
there are symbols you would not expect on a church?
As I said before: In the middle age lot's of symbols are used
Everywhere you want to fend the evil people apply symbols.
And a church tower is ideal place for this.
The bell tower was planed to be higher.
The top is supposed to be like the church "Johanniskirche" in Lüneburg.
But the city was lacking of money and 3000 people died of the plague.
Thats why the top was made taller.
The brewery guild of Hannover spent the money to finish the tower.
With the plague in mind the master-builder had the idea to apply signs on the tower.
This should symbolise that you are secure and protected for the evil inside the church.
Therefore they have used differend symbols.
One of them is the Star of David you can see on this side.
It's not painted - they used bricks to realise this.
On the other side the used a pentagram - a five edge star.
It's orientated to east, where the salvation is expected.
The paradise is located in east, also the altar is oriented to east.
During this time the pentagram was a sign to fend the evil.
As the "Marktkirche" is based on the number FIVE - with FIVE columns, FIVE windows
FIVE is also a symbol for Jesus Christ and the four evangelists, the FIVE cicatrices of Jesus and
FIVE books of Moses. So the number FIVE is very important and holy number!
That's why the pentagram was applied on the eastside of the bell tower..
The term "Drudenfuss" was most likely not used in this time.
On the north and south side the star of David is placed - today that stands for Israel.
And during that age it was a sign for entireness and the roots in Jewry.
But this is all an assumption - as there is no written document from the master builder.
Then there is the "Radkreuz" that is known from ireland.
A cross that divides the earth into four parts.
This sybolise the four compass points and also the entireness.
Then ther is also a cross that looks like a Y that ties to the raising of Jesus.
The meaning of all these symbols is: You are safe here, the evil is fended and open us to heaven.
That's a unique attribute of Gothic period.
Another reason why the number FIVE is so important for the "Marktkirche" is the fact that
the city was divided into FIVE districts during that time.
The star of Betlehem was also seen on the east skies - that could also be the reason
for applying such a symbol on the bell tower!
From the time when the church was build there is an hand crafted antependium (altar hanging)
from the abbey "Marienwerder" what is now in the "Kästner" museum that illustrates
Marias Annunciation and shows 14 pentagrams
The biggest pentagram is shown above Jesus and pointing downwards - this should symbolise
he is the ruler of the world and not the evil!
We've tried the following: we made a copy of the pentagram in a 1:1 scale out of cardboard
then we placed it in the altar room and exactly fits in there!
That is interessting!
We assume that this is not a coincient, we believe that the master builder made it exactly that size
This signs should be seen from a far distance and became a towns landmark!
Let me check my notes if I covered all ...
this sign is called "Gabelkreuz" and looks like a peace sign
this sign was used for plague crucifix in 1400 A.D. to fent the plague with this sign.
I think I covered all! What is the meaning of the circle arround the signs?
The circle is a symbol for the sun and also for the earth.
During that time people believe the earth was a flat disk.
It is also the symbol for perfection!
Like a wedding ring it is a symbol infinity - even if the math symbol is different.
On love and on a ring there is no start an no ending.
So the message is: God loves us endless!
... so, where are we now?
just a second - the microphone ... where are now?
I don't know! You don't know?
This is my first day here in this church!
Ok - what is for sure, that we are in the middle of the bell tower!
All there steps are really tiring!
In five minutes the bells will start ringing!
I hope it will not start ringing ... no we have five minutes! Great!
Now we are on the top on the tower and exhausted!
How many steps do we climb?
I have no idea? There was a sign at the entrance...
85 + 45 ... maybe more?
"Christus is our peace" (inscription on the big bell)
If this big one starts ringing it will be very loud I guess?
We have five minutes ... do you know something about the bell?
No sorry! Look there are some more steps ...
Sorry Joerg - I will go any higher!
No. six "morning" ... but anyway!
We are now in the bell tower where you normally have no entrance!
Just to give you an impression of the inside!
But we have only five minutes before the bells starts again!
This is really a big one!
There is a very small one too!
We are now underneath the bells
Here are the bells!
Where are the bells? Above the wooden floor - right!?
Down there is the inner dome of the church hall! I can't look down there!
In the background you can hear some musicians
somewhere in the streets of Hannover!
Ok then we go down? Yes, I hope I can make it with these shoes!
Do you have your handbag? ... yes, I got my handbag!
Joerg - can't you find an end?
I thought filming from here how you manage the stairs!
Wonderfull idea (ironic) - thank you!
I think it will raise the viewing figures when I fall impressively! Ha ha!!
wave your hand! what? I said wave your hand! Huhu ... hello!
I didn't made it completly - there is the spiral stairs comming!
So if you hear a scream and other strange noises - then you know what happend!
Thank you - this was really sweaty!
I like to thank you for all the information and your time!
It was very interessting and we are curious to visit an organ concert here in the church!
Goodbye - goodbye!
This are the musicians we heard from inside of the bell tower!
I'm going to support the local music industry and will make a donation!
These guys are pretty good - yes, they are really good!
What are we going to do next?
We go to a cafe for a coffee! And egg liqueur tarte?
Maybe we can find egg liqueur tarte here too - but I think this will only be found
in the "Wilhelm Busch" cafe (Episode 1)!
... OK - coffee!!!!
What should we say now?
After the exhausting steps we've earned a refreshment - I think!
This will lead to the end of this episode - I hope you liked it.
The next episode will come soon ... when exactly?
The next episode will come in August, that will be a more summerlike episode
That will take place on the island "Rügen" - be surprised!!!
We say goodbye - see you!!! Goodbye!!