The seven spires and towers of this cathedral form a wonderful grouping and make a sky-line more broken than that of any other great church in all Europe.
There is a certain symmetry about this outline, but it is not pyramidal, after the manner[{183}] of the cathedral at Bonn. In short, it is reminiscent only of itself.
LIMBURG CATHEDRAL
On the west are a pair of massive towers with conical caps, which give a façade at once remarkable and distinguished.
Flanking the north transept are two smaller towers, and the same arrangement is found just opposite on the south.
Above rises the great central octagon, surmounted in turn by a dwindling octagonal spire, not beautiful in itself with its steeply inclined slate or lead roofing, but which, under all atmospheric conditions, lends a harmony to and is a key-note of the whole structure which is wonderfully effective.
The interior plan is conventional and simple enough, consisting of the usual three naves, with an easterly apse, surrounded by an ambulatory and flanking chapel.
Within, as well as from the outside, the effect is one of an ampleness which is not borne out by the actual dimensions, which fact, of course, shows most able design and execution.
The elevation of the nave, choir, and transepts is divided into four ranges of openings, such as are seen at Soissons in the Isle of[{184}] France, and, in a less complete form, in Notre Dame at Paris.