CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME CHARTRES, FRANCE 1194-1220

CHARTRES

Pop. 40,000 50 miles southwest of Paris. Has many light industries and is surrounded by fertile plains.

HISTORY OF CHARTRES

Architect is unknown. There have been 5 fires and 5 new churches built in that site. The sixth and current cathedral was constructed between 1194-1220. It was built during the Gothic Period and is consider the finest example of

high Gothic.

HISTORY OF CHARTRES

The current cathedral was rebuilt with the help of many people from every class of life.

People helped by donating money or labor. It has two contrasting spires, one 349 ft. dating from the 1140s, and the

other a 377 ft. dating from the early 16th century. The one on the right is very plan and the other is flamboyant.

HISTORY OF CHARTRES

The cathedral was directly inspired by the Abbey of Saint Denis in Paris.

It is 440 ft. long. 52 ft. wide nave. 26 ft. aisles. 118 ft. high vault.

HISTORY OF CHARTRES

Cathedral houses a tunic that had belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter on the north portal.

INTERIOR OF CHARTRES A spacious nave, and also an unbroken view from the west and to the east end. Columns

rise dramatically from plain base to the high pointed arches of the ceiling. The interior directs the eyes to the massive clerestory windows in the apse. The whole building itself has many vertical lines which convey human yearning for the divine and after life. Scale is overwhelming. Blues and reds in the stained glass windows gives an emotional feeling of warmth and comfort.

EXTERIOR OF CHARTRES Texture is very rough which gives the effect of solidity and stability.

The End

This is the best Cathedral of Notre Dame.