Cathedral of Chartres

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres is a cathedral that makes all the superlatives inadequate. The cathedral is located in Chartres which is located about 80 kilometers from Paris. Almost all architectural historians have written and praised the soaring aisles and the delicate carving of the cathedral. When the cathedral is viewed from a distance, it appears to hover in mid air above fields of wheat and when the tourist comes closer, the city becomes visible that clusters around the hill on which the cathedral stands.

During the middle ages, the cathedral also served as a cathedral school as it was difficult and costly to build a new infrastructure and far easier to use an existing building. The cathedral of Chartres was most famous for the study of logic and the logic taught here was considered by many as even being ahead of Paris. The cathedral is still the seat of the Diocese of Chartres that is in the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical province of Tours.

Cathedral of Chartres – Description

The plan of the cathedral is cruciform with a nave that is 28 meters long and the short transepts to the north and south. The east end of the cathedral is rounded with an ambulatory which has five semi-circular chapels that radiate from it. The extensively used flying buttresses built support the weight of extremely high vaults. The skeletal system of the supports allowed large spaces of the cathedral to not only be free for many stained glass works, it also was essential for the cathedral’s towering height.

The very spacious nave is 36 meters high and has an unbroken view from the western end right till the magnificent dome of the apse in the east. The clustered columns rise from the plain bases to the high pointed arches of the ceiling which directs the eye to the massive clerestory windows that are present in the apse.

The cathedral is covered vivid colors in the floor and multicolored stained glass windows. These stained glasses date from the 13th century and escaped harm during the religious wars of the 16th century. As a matter of fact, during World War II, most of the stained glass were removed and stored in the surrounding countryside area to protect them from the German bombers. In fact the cathedral was used as a social club by the Germans when they took over France. At the end of the war, the stained glasses were restored. The cathedral is said to contain one of the most complete collections of medieval stained glass in the world. The stained glasses are particularly famous for their vivid blue color especially the representation of the Madonna and Child which is known as the Blue Virgin Window.

Many windows were donated by royalty, lords, locals and trade people. The rose window at the north transept was gifted by the French queen, Blanche of Castile. The cathedral has a total of three large rose windows. The window on the western front contains a theme of The Last Judgment, the window on the northern transept depicts the theme of the Glorification of the Virgin and lastly the rose window on the southern transept depicts the theme of the Glorification of Christ.

Cathedral of Chartres – History

The construction of the Cathedral was started in the 12th Century under the local bishop. Several new architectural features that were never seen before were used in the construction the most prominent feature being the flying buttresses and arches. Several new techniques were also pioneered during the construction of this cathedral like the conversion of war machines that were known as trebuchets to hoist cranes.

During the early construction of the cathedral, it was burnt down once and nearly consumed by an accidental fire the second time. The cathedral was also the focal point of several tax revolts and riots that were incited by a local countess and the influential people living in the towns. They opposed the increased influence the church was trying to obtain in their lives and also the huge amount of taxes that were being collected to finance the construction of the cathedral.