The left hand engaged column

a phallus

2 non-structural columns are partly embedded in the west facade of St. Stephen’s, so-called engaged columns. The left column bears a phallus at its top; the right column a vulva. There is an interesting interpretation as to what these large depictions of the sex organs are doing on the outside wall of a church. In the 13th century the main entrance to God’s house is reserved for the nobility and high-up members of the clergy. For the commoners there are 2 side entrances, strictly divided by gender. The purpose of the phallus and the vulva could very well be to inform illiterate church-goers where to enter: men on the left, women on the right.