The smiling angel

The so-called Smiling Angel is the acknowledged star attraction of the Regensburg Cathedral. What makes the angel laugh so lustily? The question arises with a good reason, and it arouses people's curiosity as to the story behind this life-size stone statue, which is about 730 years old. His juvenile carefreeness has made him famous; the figure has become the true landmark not only of the Cathedral, but of the entire city. His smile puts a spell on viewers. The reason why an angel may laugh so heartily touches on core questions of the Christian faith and leads right into the heart of the Middle Ages, when laughing was actually considered sinful. In this case, however, the radiantly smiling angel brings good news to Mary, his counterpart, and also to the world, since he is announcing the incarnation of Christ. The archangel Gabriel and Mary are the two oldest and artistically most valuable stone statues of the entire church. They are at the centre of a concise, yet richly illustrated explanation of the Regensburg Cathedral, in which light and colour play an eminent role, also in helping us understand the development of this church through the ages.