ST. SWITHUN CATHEDRAL OF STAVANGER AS A UNIQUE MONUMENT OF THE NORWEGIAN STONE ARCHITECTURE OF THE 12th - 14th CENTURIES
The article considers the issues related to the genesis of the stone cathedrals of Medieval Norway by an example of St. Swithun Cathedral of Stavanger. The publication reconstructs the stage of cathedral building and identifies the connection between the Norwegian monumentsand foreign architectural schools. Moreover theauthor defines the foreign architectural samples followed by Norwegian builders. The article identifies a number of regions of this influence. In the article a considerable attention is paid to the study of the English architectural school and its outstanding examples, such as cathedrals in Ely, Lincoln, Winchester and etc. The author carries out a thorough stylistic analysis of the architectural elements identifying a relationship with other regional schools, such as Lombard school. An attempt to explain the way the Italian architecture impacted on the Norwegian Cathedral is made. The author reveals an intermediary between them. Lund Cathedral was an influence source. It was built by Lombard architects Donatus and Regnerus. In addition the researcher raises a question related to specific features of the Stavanger Cathedral. They include diaphragm arches in the aisles, the design of the Eastern façade, the design of the capitals of the central arcade, chancel arch and the present of the figurative images in the bases of the columns of the Cathedral. The significance of the architecture of the Benedictine Order in the development of cathedrals in Western Norway is also determinated. The analysis of the building history and architectural features of the Cathedral of Stavanger allows to distinguish it among European architectural monuments of the 12th - 14th centuries.