Barbarossa Chandelier

The chandelier, floating about four metres above the marble floor, is composed of eight curved segments, thereby conforming to the octagonal shape of the Palatine chapel.

The stylised city wall of the chandelier contains eight large and eight small gate towers, which are arranged symmetrically.

Because of the octagonal structure of the surrounding building, the traditional depiction of the Heavenly Jerusalem with only twelve towers was precluded.

Silver figures, depicting the saints, angels, and sentries, originally mounted on the 16 towers, have been lost.

The base panels of the towers have been preserved and can be seen from below, on which scenes from the Life of Jesus are engraved, particularly the eight beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.