The Magi shrine

1. The shrine of the three kings

2. We know that the magi were wise men from "the East," most likely Persia, or modern-day Iran. This means the wise men traveled 800 to 900 miles to see the Christ child. Most likely, the magi knew of the writings of the prophet Daniel, who in time past had been the chief of the court seers in Persia.

3. Shrine of the Magi is the largest, most artistically significant, and, in terms of its content, most ambitious reliquary of the Middle Ages. The relics were brought to Cologne from Milan in 1164.

4. From about 1190 to 1220 a number of artisans worked on the shrine in the workshop of the goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun and in workshops in Cologne and along the river Meuse that continued his work

5. The gilded sarcophagus kept in the cathedral in Cologne, Germany where the bones of the holy three kings are believed to be residing today. Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa brought them there from Italy back in 1161.

7. Ornamentation on the shrine includes gold- and silver-embossed, fire-gilded figures, filigree panels set with precious and semi-precious stones, intaglios, and cameos, and columns, arches and profiles trimmed with enamels. The images depicted on the shrine include scenes from the history of salvation from the dawning of time to the Last Judgment.

8. Cameo with Medusa Head, 1st Cent. after Christ Although the shrine was shortened by one axis after being hidden from French revolutionary troops in 1794, it was largely restored to its original shape during the most recent period of restoration, which lasted from 1961 to 1973.

10. Apostle Bartholomew Apostle Juda Thaddeus

11. Adoration of the Magi

12. Adoration of the Magi

13. Cameo with Head of Ruler, 2nd Cent. before Christ Baptism of Christ

16. Shrine of the Three Holy Kings, David Side

18. Shrine of the Three Holy Kings, Solomon Side

20. Nero Cameo, 1st C. after Christ Head of a Ruler, 1st Cent. after Christ

21. Lion Heads under the Ridge Ornament

22. Gem with Dancer, 1st Cent. before Christ. Shrine of The Three Kings Nicholas of Verdun c. 1190

27. Hunting Frieze, Battle of Riders

28. Hunting Frieze, Battle with Lion

29. Hunting Frieze, Boar Hunt

30. Venus Gem, 1st Century before Christ

32. John, New Creation from Fritz Zehgruber, 1969 King David

33. Prophet Amos Prophet Habakkuk

34. Seraph Prophet Ioachim

35. The Three Kings with King Otto IV Last Judgement

38. The intention in the Middle Ages was that the shrine would be placed in the crossing. Today, however, it rises above the medieval high altar at the back of the inner choir, making this area the main focus of the Gothic cathedral, which was built as a stone reliquary for this precious shrine.

39. Detail from the Three Kings Screen, c 1332-1349

40. Detail from the Three Kings Screen, c 1332-1349 The coffin with the remains of the Three Holy Kings is brought to Constantinople. Saint Helena in front of the shrine; the shrine is transferred to Milan

49. 2011 Pictures:Internet All  copyrights  belong to their  respective owners Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu https://www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda https://ma-planete.com/michaelasanda Sound: '12 o Clock', by Vangelis