Dome

Detail showing panels below knockers (left top, the Sacrifice of Abel and Cain, left bottom, the Murder of Abel; right top, the Nativity, right bottom, the Annunciation); The doors are decorated with (on the left, top to bottom) representations of the Creation of Eve, the Presentation of Eve to Adam, the Temptation, the Fall, the Expulsion, the Labours of Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice of Abel and Cain, the Murder of Abel, (on the right, top to bottom) the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi, the Presentation to Simeon, Christ before Pilate, the crucifixion, the Maries at the Sepulchre, and Christ appearing to St. Mary Magdalen. The doors were made at the order of St. Bernward, Bishop of Hildesheim (993-1022) and set up by him in 1015 in St. Michael's Church, Hildesheim. His successor, St. Godehard, removed them to the Cathedral. Source: V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) [website]; http://www.vam.ac.uk/ (accessed 4/29/2009)