Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/40

24 24 RHENISH ARCHITECTURE. Part II. the oldest. It was originally erected by Plectrudis, wife of Pepin Heristall, in the year 700, but of that church nothing now remains. The nave was rebuilt apparently in the 11th century, and the choir, with its three noble apses, in the 12th, and perhaps even as late as the 13th century. In plan these apses are more spacious than those of the Apostles' Church or of that of St. Martin (Woodcuts 473 and 474), this church alone having a broad aisle running round each, a feature 473. Apse of the Apostles' Church at Cologne. (From Boisseree.) which gives great breadth and variety to the perspective, but the apse of the Church of the Apostles (erected a.d. 1035) is far more beautiful externally. This latter building is perhaps, taken altogether, the most pleasing example of its class, externally at least. The whole design of the east end is quite complete, as we now see it, and is per- fectly well balanced in all its parts. St. Martin's, on the other hand, (Woodcut No. 474) has more of the aspiring tendencies of the pointed style, and, though very elegant, its apsidal gallery is too small, and