Plan van de Dom van Kalmar 1692

Willem Swidde created this plan of Kalmar Cathedral using etching around 1661-1697. The layout reveals a cruciform structure, a symbol deeply embedded in Christian iconography, representing the cross of Christ's crucifixion. The cross, as an architectural blueprint, extends far beyond this singular plan. We see its echoes in the grand cathedrals of Europe, reaching back to the early Christian basilicas. But the cross's symbolic power isn't confined to Christianity alone. It appears in various forms throughout history, in ancient cosmologies and pagan symbolism, often representing the intersection of the earthly and the divine. Here, the cross embodies the hopes and aspirations of a community, subtly reminding us of our shared spiritual and cultural heritage, evoking profound emotional responses shaped by centuries of collective memory. This emblem invites contemplation on the complex interplay of faith, power, and artistic expression across time.