Bk. IV. Ch. II. LAACH. 27 altered as the work proceeded, to suit the taste of the day. This circumstance makes theiu particularly interest- ing to the architectural historian, though the artist aTid architect must always regret the incompleteness and want of harmony which this produces. An exception to this rule is found in the beautiful abbey church at Laach, erected between the years 1093 and 1156, therefore rather early in the style. Its dimensions are small, only '215 ft. internally by 62 ; but this is compensated for by its completeness. It is one of the few- churches that still possess the western paradisus or parvis, as shown in the remarkable ancient plan found at St. Gall.i The western apse is ^1 applied to its proper use of a tomb-house, and on each side of it, as at Reichenau, are the principal entrances. Externally this church has two central and four lateral towers, two of the latter being square, and two circular. It is impossible to fancy anything more picturesquely ideasing 4tg. Plan of church at •^ '^ .,., T Laach. (From Geier than this irroup of towers of various Jioights and and uorz.) Scale loo
- , , -, . "... ft. to 1 in.
shapes, or a church i)roducnig a more striking 477. View of Church at Laach. (From (jeier and Gorz.) 1 See p. .5 et seq.
