The primary purpose of this essay is to explain how Cathedral of Notre-Dame, also referred to as Chartres Cathedral relates to the culture of the time and how the building was a product of its cultural and political conditions. Chartres Cathedral is situated in Chartres, towards the northwestern France and one of the prime examples of French Gothic architecture. It is well famous for its stained glass and different sculptures ranging from column statues to miniatures. A fire in1194 destroyed most of the cathedral, which was later reconstructed (Chartres Cathedral 2016). The church is made of limestone and displays tall arcades, huge clerestory and a narrow triforium. The original architect of the church remains anonymous, and it was built with donations coming in from all over France.
Chartres Cathedral was listed under UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Ever since the early Middle Ages, it has been a major pilgrimage destination. It is looked upon as a great achievement in the history of architecture and conveys its original image when it was built. Its architecture is based on French Gothic (Chartres Cathedral 2016). The Gothic style of architecture first emerged in northern France around 1140. It main features include the pointed arch, arched flying buttresses, the rib vault and window tracery (Gothic Architecture 2016). The abbey of Saint-Denis was the first chief building project in the fresh Gothic style, and the style was incorporated in several great Gothic cathedrals such as Soissons and Notre-Dame. Cathedral carries the essence of the Gothic style, and its magnificent architecture is lauded for displaying the richness of the medieval imagination. The design of the Gothic cathedral is based on a Latin cross carrying aisles. There are five semi-circular radiating chapels towards the curved east. From a distance, it seems as if the Cathedral is hovering in mid-air above fields.
During the French Revolution, the Chartres Cathedral was not looted nor destroyed, and its original glory has stayed the same. Thus, what one finds here is one of the finest examples French Gothic architecture. This was the first building to use buttresses as a structural element and to create stability for the bold construction of the church. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cathedral in France and a milestone in the development of Western architecture as it makes use of the new Gothic architectural elements, for example, the flying buttress and the pointed arch. The surviving stained glass and sculpture belong to 12th-and 13th-century, and thus, it is rightly said to be a completely surviving medieval church. The interior of the Chartres cathedral is truly unique and remarkable. All light in the interior of the church filters through stained glass and no direct light enters the building and thus create a warm glow of the light inside. The purpose of the sculptures and stained-glass windows was to preach and instruct. This is why most sculptures depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The stained-glass windows depict Virgin Mary in various ways. The central portal of the church is devoted to the Coronation of the Virgin.
Chartres Cathedral is truly a masterpiece with its superb architecture and a rich history. It has survived numerous fires, revolutions, and wars. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists travel to the Cathedral, to experience the words of the old Mass and experience the glowing interior as well as to see the beautiful architecture. It marks the extraordinary point of French Gothic art, reflected in its pure original style, porches with fine sculptures and stained-glass windows that belong to the 12th and 13th-century (Chartres Cathedral 2016). It has remained true to history and time, rich in spirituality and architecture. It remains an import at site Christian pilgrimage since the Middle Ages, and thousands of pilgrims and families from all over France participate every year.
Works Cited
"Chartres Cathedral". britannica. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016."Chartres Cathedral". sacred-destinations.com. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016."Chartres Cathedral". chartrescathedral. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016."Gothic Architecture." vam.ac.uk. 2016. Web. 24 April. 2016.
