Azelin chandelier, Romanesque wheel chandelier at Hildesheim Cathedral, Germany.
The Azelin chandelier is a circular artwork made of gilded copper suspended above the altar in Hildesheim Cathedral, representing a medieval city in three-dimensional form. It combines twelve towers with twelve gatehouses evenly distributed around its perimeter and originally held approximately 72 candles.
This work was created in the 11th century following a fire that destroyed an earlier gold and silver chandelier in 1046. The piece demonstrates medieval craftsmanship techniques and served as an important liturgical and artistic element within the cathedral.
The name Azelin may reference the commissioner or craftsman behind the work, though their identity remains uncertain today. Visitors can observe how medieval artisans expressed their vision of a sacred city through architectural forms and symbolic arrangement.
The chandelier hangs at a considerable height above the altar, so visitors can best observe it from different positions within the nave. The clearest view is from the central area of the cathedral floor, where architectural details become visible.
Each tower features niches, battlements, and imitation brickwork to authentically recreate medieval city architecture. This miniature stone workshop suspended in air reveals how artisans of the time embedded their vision of the world and spiritual hopes into religious objects.
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