The most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in France

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Chartres Cathedral

The Cathedral in Chartres (XII-XIV centuries) is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Chartres, where the precious relics of Our Lady were located, enjoyed the special patronage of King Louis IX, who presented the cathedral with a large rose window. The stained-glass windows were donated to the cathedral by artisans of the city. Many people took part in the construction of the cathedral: for example, in the 40s. XII century thousands of Norman pilgrims came to Chartres and for several months rolled stone blocks in the walls of the cathedral reaching two or three meters in length and one meter in height. The western facade is the only one that has survived from the previous building. Its creation dates back to 1170. The façade is adorned with three portals richly decorated with magnificent stone bas-reliefs dating back to the 12th century. From the north and from the south, on the facades of the building, you can see a huge, round lace window, which is very characteristic of French Gothic, into the openings of which colored stained-glass windows are inserted in lead bindings. The transept windows are 13 meters in diameter. A similar window went down in the history of art under the name "rose". It first appeared in the Cathedral of Chartres, allegedly commissioned by King Louis IX of the Saint and his wife, Queen Blanca of Castile. On the stained glass windows "roses" you can see the coats of arms of France and Castile, scenes from the earthly life of the Mother of God and scenes of the Last Judgment. The Cathedral in Chartres is better illuminated than the Parisian one, thanks to the high windows of the nave, the openwork chapels of the vast five-nave choir and the light, bluish-lilac color of the stained-glass windows, it is distinguished by a cross-shaped space, the restrained nobility of the interior, covered with four private vaults, and the organic structure of the structure. The Royal Portal (1145-1155) of the Cathedral of Chartres is a striking example of Gothic sculpture. The Cathedral in Chartres was also famous for its stained glass windows, which occupied an area of more than two and a half thousand square meters. In 1194 the Cathedral in Chartres was almost completely burned down, only the "royal portal" and the foundations of the towers survived. The building was later rebuilt. The erection of the cathedral was considered a righteous deed, for which sins would be forgiven believers, and salvation in heaven would be ensured.

] Cathedral in Angers

The Angers cathedral, which is a Gothic structure, has retained all the features of the western regions of France. The author of the project did not thicken the walls; he sought to balance the distribution of gravity by increasing the vertical load. The vault of the temple is strongly convex. Its powerful ribs are one of the decorations of the building, since the flat ribbon running between the two rollers is covered with carvings; a garland of flowers is stretched between them. The cathedral has preserved stained glass windows dating back to different periods.

Notre Dame de Paris

The characteristic features of the early Gothic were embodied in the main cathedral of the capital of France - Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame). The majestic Notre Dame de Paris was founded in 11b3, but its construction lasted for several centuries - until the XIV century. (length 130 meters, height of vaults 32, 5 At) a five-nave temple, divided in the middle by a short transept and completed by a choir with a double walk (1182), so that the whole plan fits into a rectangle. With six-part vaults and identical round pillars of the main arcade, crowned with large capitals, the wall placed on them is still massive, it received large upper windows,The choir of the cathedral, necessary to illuminate the nave, as well as the facade with its clear horizontal and vertical articulations, portals as if with difficulty cut into a dense wall, a magnificent rose and monumental towers that seem to have grown from the body of the structure are a perfect work of a completely established style. There are three entrances to the temple. -portal, framed by arches extending into the depths; above them are niches with statues - the so-called "royal gallery", images of biblical kings and French kings, who were identified with the characters of the Old Testament. The center of the western facade is decorated with a rose window, and above the side portals, windows stretched upwards under pointed arches. On the towers of the cathedral there are sculptures of fantastic monsters - chimeras. In Notre Dame de Paris, features of the Romanesque and Gothic styles are combined. The massive towers of the façade are characteristic of Romanesque architecture, while the cross vault supported by arches, the use of flying buttresses and buttresses, pointed arches and many windows are features typical of Gothic art. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris responded to the city's increased political importance as the capital of the state and completed the first stage of the development of the Gothic style.

Reims Cathedral

The architecture of the Reims Cathedral (1211-1331), with the severity of tectonic construction, is characterized by an emphasized verticalism, elongation of all elements and figures, an abundance of sculpture and decorative details, which, like a lush growth, make their way upward, crossing horizontal divisions. Even the lancet framing of the portals is so elevated that another rose cuts through the central tympanum. The entire outline of the facade is lightened, tapering noticeably upward. The main façade of Reims Cathedral differs significantly from the classical façade. The forward portals, a deep-lying rose framed by a high pointed arch and a high second floor create a new type of Gothic façade: vertical lines are decisively dominant in it. the most alternating vertical and horizontal lines. This impression of uniformity is reinforced by the similar design of the side naves.

Conclusion

In the XIII-XV centuries. Gothic architecture spread throughout different countries of Europe, acquiring certain features, and gradually grew out of the Romanesque style, transforming it with almost imperceptible innovations. In the 13th century, the connection between the two kingdoms of Spain and France strengthened. French architects work in Spain. Traces of their activities can be traced in the cathedrals of Leon, Burgos and Toledo. The Spanish architecture of the 13th century seems to be a branch of the French. Almost always hostile, but always close relations with England could not but affect the architecture of both kingdoms. For example, the French architect Guillaume of Sansa built a cathedral in Kentbury in 1175. Closest of all other English temples to the French plan, Westminster Abbey Cathedral remains a monument to the close relationship between the kingdoms. Its choir is surrounded by a crown of chapels, the central nave is higher than it was in England's temples. The influence of English Gothic on French, falling in the 15th century, did not affect the basic structure of buildings, but mainly their "flaming decor". The remarkable Gothic architecture of Czech Republic of the 14th century is also associated with the simene of the French architect Mathieu of Arras, who began construction of the Cathedral of St. Vitt in Prague Castle. There is evidence that in 1287 Etienne de Bonneil sailed with an assistant to Sweden to build a cathedral in Uppsala. H

Gothic, as an architectural style, is characteristic of a certain era throughout Western Europe, but the leading role in its creation, development and implementation belonged to France.