Chartres Cathedral,Chartres - France

Chartres Cathedral, Chartres is referred to as the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres in French. Often referred to also as The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres is situated at a distance of about 80 km from Paris. This edifice is considered as one of the best examples of Gothic style of architecture present in France. Chartres Cathedral in Chartres was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the

year 1979. Chartres Cathedral in Chartres is the seat of the Diocese of Chartres, even today. This cathedral is dedicated to Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.

Facts About Chartres Cathedral

 

 

• The construction of the cathedral started in the 12th century under the influence of the local bishop of the era.


• The edifice stands significant also because of the fact that this building was first to use certain techniques to construct on a higher elevation.


• The elevation of the edifice was made in three tiers as there is no gallery in the edifice.



• The vaulting was quadripartite, which made it possible to do without any alternating supports. The plan of this cathedral is in cruciform style with a nave and short transepts cross the nave from the south to the north.


• The eastern end of the cathedral is rounded with an ambulatory from where five semi-circular chapels radiates.


• There are two towers of the Chartres Cathedral, one of which measures 349-foot and the other measures 377-foot. There are complex flying buttresses all around the cathedral.



 





The architectural brilliance and the stained glass windows of the cathedral are

note-worthy. The stained glass windows are mostly blue in color and a window which portrays the tale of the Madonna and Child is often referred to as the Blue Virgin Window. Several windows were donated by royalty, some among them are the rose windows, and this window was gifted by the French queen Blanche of Castile. There are three large rose windows in the cathedral. One of them is placed on the west front which depicts a theme of The Last Judgment; the rose window on the north depicts a theme of the Glorification of the Virgin; and the window on the south portrays the theme of the Glorification of Christ. The Lords, locals and trades people also donated some windows which were placed in the cathedral.

The site of the cathedral has been engulfed by fire more than once, but with the test of the time, the edifice has stood brilliantly and it was rebuilt to give it the present identity and the shape. The cathedral was built in between the years 1194 and 1220. The total ground area on which the cathedral spreads is about 117058 square feet. The Chartres Cathedral in Chartres in France was also used as a social club during the Second World War when the Germans took control of France. In the Middle Ages, the cathedral also functioned as a school which was especially renowned as the center for the study of logic. Chartres Cathedral, Chartres has also been a major pilgrimage destination.
 

Chartres Cathedral, Chartres Timings



• The Chartres Cathedral, Chartres is open for the public to visit everyday from 8.30 in the morning till 7.30 in the evening.