Choir wall


The clergy sat in the liturgical choir, which corresponded to the central nave of the cathedral to the east of the transept crossing.

A nearly 5-meter-high stone partition, called the choir wall, was erected between the late 13th century and 1351 on its north and south sides as well as around the apse.

 in addition to the rood screen built around 1230, the choir wall separate the clergy from the neighboring areas frequented by the faithfuls.

This ensemble still exists in the first three bays of the choir. It consists of a base adorned with arcades topped by a long frieze carved with scenes. In the north it is related to the childhood and public life of Christ. In the south, we can observe the appearances of Christ after his resurrection on Easter morning. The rood screen was dedicated to the Passion of Christ and served as  connection between the walls.

The polychromy applied in the 19th century to this vast ensemble follows the medieval tradition. The scenes, clearly separated from each other, are populated by various characters that highlight the central figure of Christ, in compositions full of life.

More eloquently than the exterior portals, this enclosure manifests the clergy's desire to make the main episodes of Christ's life as recounted in the Gospels understandable to the faithful.