books, "supra bibliotheca[1]." The library is readied by means of a staircase from the passage which leads to the crypt, "introitus in bibliothecam super criptam superius."
Towers.
On the two sides of the eastern semicircular atrium of the minster stand two towers, which, like those of most of the ancient basilicas of Italy, are not connected with the principal building. The access to them is by short passages from the atrium. They are probably divided into stories, and, what is seldom the case with belfries, are of a round form. Their height is not given. It is not said whether they were to receive bells, which doubtless was their principal destination. It is merely remarked that the ascent to the summit of the tower and to their chapels was (as is also shewn in the drawing) by a winding staircase, and that the whole building could be overlooked from them, "ascensus per cocleam, ad universa super inspicienda." Above, in the northern tower, there is an altar in a chapel dedicated to the archangel Michael, "altare sancti Michaelis in summitate;" and at the summit of the southern tower a similar altar is raised to the archangel Gabriel, "altare sancti Gabrielis in summitate." Campaniles or bell-towers, as is known, had not been brought into frequent use in the construction of churches very long before this plan was made; perhaps first under the reign of Charlemagne. Then followed the various, and in part unsuccessful, efforts to bring them into harmonious connection with the rest of the building, to which, by their nature, they were not suited. The floral ornament in the plan, which is also often seen in manuscripts of the ninth century, has no precise signification[2].
The Cloister[3].
The cloister court is placed on the south side of the church. It is a large area bounded on the north by the church and on the other sides by three principal buildings of the monastery. It is surrounded in the usual manner by a covered walk or
- ↑ The library of the old St. Peter's church at Rome was constructed on the other side of the transept, in the angle formed between it and the nave, and indeed in the place where on our plan the dwelling for visiting brothers, "susceptio fratrum supervenientium," is indicated.
- ↑ It probably indicates the conical roof of the building or its ornamental finial.
- ↑ I have re-written the description of the cloister, which seems not to have been understood by Keller in the sense in which I view it.
