Description

The chancel is in the form of an apse and depicts the Adoration of the Magi. The polychrome is divided into three parts. In the central part, Michael Willmann depicted St. Joseph's joy at the worship of the Magi. On the elevation, surrounded by angels, Mary is sitting with the Infant Jesus. The gifts given by the magi - myrrh, frankincense and gold - have a symbolic meaning: the frankincense signifies Christ's recognition as a priest, the gold as a king, and the myrrh announces his martyrdom. The stable visible in the background is composed of the walls of a massive stone building. Since the Middle Ages, it has been believed that Jesus was born in the former palace of King David, which is clearly alluded to in the fresco. Panoramic views around the bow show the rich processions of the magi. As part of them, simple people are carrying bales of cloth to the Holy Family. This is because the local population was engaged in weaving. The unusual animals are a curiosity. In the very corner of the scene, by the pilaster, there is an unusual creature, looking like a horse with a long neck. According to an anecdote, it is a camel that Willmann painted like this because he had never seen it in his life.