Buildings of the Templars

 

 

Despite intensive research, the first monastic chivalric order from the crusades still leaves many puzzles unsolved. It remains shrouded in mysteries.

This may be due to the enigmatic rites, the fabulous wealth, but also to the shameful end of the Order and its leaders, Jacques de Molay and Geoffroy de Charnay, who burnt at the stake  in 1314.

 

Templar Chapel in Laon (F) - around 1150

 

Despite intensive research, the first monastic chivalric order from the crusades still leaves many puzzles unsolved. It remains shrouded in mysteries.

This may be due to the enigmatic rites, the fabulous wealth, but also to the shameful end of the Order and its leaders, Jacques de Molay and Geoffroy de Charnay, who burnt at the stake in 1314.

Pope Clement V, residing in France and dependent on the heavily indebted French King Philip IV (the Fair), had already dissolved the Order in 1312.

Due to general interest, a number of towns in Central and Western Europe claim to be adorned with Templar chapels or churches.

According to Alain Demurger, not all of these deserve this classification. This applies to the chapel in Metz or the round churches of Bornholm, sometimes ascribed to the Templars. A number of supposed Templar chapels are actually attributable to the Hospitallers.

 Templar Castle in Pontferrada (E) - 12th century

 

The majority of Templar architecture has fallen victim to the ravages of time. The castle in Ponferrada ist probably the sole preserved in Europe.

 

Demurger, Alain, Die Templer, Aufstieg und Untergang, Verlag C.H. Beck, München, 1991

 

 

Translation: Erik Eising (MA)