World Heritage Photos

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral in the medieval town of Chartres in France. Along with the cathedrals of Reims and Amiens, Chartres Cathedral belongs to the three High Gothic or Classical French cathedrals built in the 13th century. Chartres Cathedral is home to the Sancta Camisa, the relic was donated to the cathedral by Charlemagne in 876. The cathedral was built following a fire that destroyed a previous church in 1194, only the western facade and the crypt survived, also the most precious relic survived: the Sancta Camisia, the tunic of the Virgin Mary. This was considered as a sign from the Virgin Mary herself that another, even more magnificent, cathedral should be built in Chartres. The rebuilding started almost immediately in 1194. The cathedral was consecrated in 1260. The cathedral is renowned for its stained glass windows. The deep intense blue color, known as 'Chartres Blue', is immortalized in the imposing stained glass windows. One of the outstanding features of the cathedral is the Chartres Labyrinth, inlaid in the nave floor. A labyrinth is a feature of most medieval cathedrals, the 13th century Chartres Labyrinth is the largest medieval labyrinth in the world. Along with Mont Saint-Michel, Chartres Cathedral became one of the most important destinations of medieval Christian pilgrimage in France, both situated on the Way of St. James. Even today, the cathedral is a major stop for many pilgrims on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The cathedral is situated in the historic centre of Chartres, about 80 km southwest of Paris. Chartres Cathedral gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1979.

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Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The south portal was built in te period 1224-1250 and shows scenes of the New Testament. The 13th century north portal...

Chartres Cathedral: The south portal was built in te period 1224-1250 and shows scenes of the New Testament. The 13th century north portal shows scenes from the Old Testament. The west portal is the oldest part of Chartres Cathedral and dates from 1150, the portal was spared in the fire of 1194. The west portal, known as the Royal Portal, shows scenes from 'Christ in Majesty'.

  1. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The south portal was built in te period 1224-1250 and shows scenes of the New Testament. The 13th century north portal...

    Chartres Cathedral: The south portal was built in te period 1224-1250 and shows scenes of the New Testament. The 13th century north portal shows scenes from the Old Testament. The west portal is the oldest part of Chartres Cathedral and dates from 1150, the portal was spared in the fire of 1194. The west portal, known as the Royal Portal, shows scenes from 'Christ in Majesty'.

  2. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The south portal, the left bay. Chartres Cathedral has nine portals. The west portals, also called the Royal...

    Chartres Cathedral: The south portal, the left bay. Chartres Cathedral has nine portals. The west portals, also called the Royal Portals, are among the few surviving parts of an earlier church. The Royal Portals are decorated with Late Romanesque statues such as the ancient Greeks Aristotle, Euclid and Pythagoras. Chartres Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1979.

  3. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: One of the gargoyles of the south portal. The cathedral is not only famous for its stained glass windows, but also for...

    Chartres Cathedral: One of the gargoyles of the south portal. The cathedral is not only famous for its stained glass windows, but also for its profuse decorations. Chartres Cathedral has nine elaborate sculpted portals, decorated with more than 4,000 fine sculpted statues. The 12th and 13th centuries statues of Chartres Cathedral are quite unique in France.

  4. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The south portal is adorned with statues of the twelve apostles. Chartres Cathedral was not damaged during the Wars of...

    Chartres Cathedral: The south portal is adorned with statues of the twelve apostles. Chartres Cathedral was not damaged during the Wars of Religion and the French Revolution. During the First World War and Second World War, the 12th and 13th century stained glass windows were removed and stored in safe locations, the precious windows were replaced after the war. 

  5. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The 13th century south portal. Chartres Cathedral was built following a fire that destroyed the previous church in 1194. The...

    Chartres Cathedral: The 13th century south portal. Chartres Cathedral was built following a fire that destroyed the previous church in 1194. The rebuilding started almost immediately in 1194. Chartres Cathedral was consecrated in 1260. The original architectural design and details of the cathedral has almost been completely preserved.

  6. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral is famous for its stained glass windows. The cathedral contains 176 windows which hold 5,000 images. The intense deep blue...

    Chartres Cathedral is famous for its stained glass windows. The cathedral contains 176 windows which hold 5,000 images. The intense deep blue colour, known as 'Chartres Blue', is created by daylight streaming through the stained glass windows. The West Rose window, where the sun sets, is the largest window of the cathedral. The 13th century window shows the Last Judgment. 

  7. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The most precious relic of the cathedral is the tunic of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Sancta Camisia. The...

    Chartres Cathedral: The most precious relic of the cathedral is the tunic of the Virgin Mary, also known as the Sancta Camisia. The cathedral houses the Sancta Camisia since 876, the relic was given to Chartres Cathedral  by Charlemagne, it survived the fire in 1194, this was considered as a sign from the Virgin herself that another, even more majestic cathedral should be built.

  8. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The Notre Dame de Pilar is also called the Black Madonna of Chartres. The present Chartres Cathedral was built...

    Chartres Cathedral: The Notre Dame de Pilar is also called the Black Madonna of Chartres. The present Chartres Cathedral was built after a fire, the rebuilding started almost immediately, the present cathedral was consecrated in 1260. Chartres Cathedral is considered as the Seat of the Virgin Mary's on Earth. Chartres Cathedral is a major pilgrimage destination in France.

  9. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The Blue Virgin Window dates from around 1150. The east window where the sun rises portrays the Incarnation of the Eternal...

    Chartres Cathedral: The Blue Virgin Window dates from around 1150. The east window where the sun rises portrays the Incarnation of the Eternal World, the Birth and Childhood of Christ and Christ converting water into wine at the Marriage at Cana. During the two world wars, the windows were dismantled piece by piece to be stored for safety.

  10. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The choir screen includes an astrological clock dating from the 16th century. The clock told not only the time,...

    Chartres Cathedral: The choir screen includes an astrological clock dating from the 16th century. The clock told not only the time, but also the day of the week, the month of the year, the time of sunrise and sunset, the phase of the moon and the current sign of the zodiac. The choir screen is decorated with 16th century sculptures, they depict scenes from the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The inner works were partially destroyed in 1793.

  11. Chartres Cathedral - One of the fine features of Chartres Cathedral is the 13th century Chartres Labyrinth, inlaid in the nave floor. The labyrinth is 12.9...

    One of the fine features of Chartres Cathedral is the 13th century Chartres Labyrinth, inlaid in the nave floor. The labyrinth is 12.9 metres in diameter and fills the width of the nave. Pilgrims used to follow the labyrinth path on their knees. The labyrinth continues to receive visits from pilgrims to this day. Now, the Labyrinth is usually covered with chairs. The labyrinth is a feature of most medieval churches but the Chartres Labyrinth is the largest medieval maze in the world.

  12. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral:  The two spires of the cathedral are different, both in appearance and in height. The south tower is 105...

    Chartres Cathedral:  The two spires of the cathedral are different, both in appearance and in height. The south tower is 105 metres high, the Romanesque pyramid-shaped tower was built around 1140. The 113 mettres high north tower is a Flamboyant Gothic spire on the top of an older tower, it was built in the early 16th century.

  13. Chartres Cathedral - The crypt of Chartres Cathedral: The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Sous-Terre (Chapel of Our Lady of the Underground). The crypt of Chartres...

    The crypt of Chartres Cathedral: The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Sous-Terre (Chapel of Our Lady of the Underground). The crypt of Chartres Cathedral is considered the largest crypt in France and the third largest in the world, only the crypt of the Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome and the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral in England are larger. The crypt of Chartres Cathedral is of roughly the same width as the cathedral.

  14. Chartres Cathedral - A signpost depicting a scallop shell, the iconic symbol of the Way of St. James (Spanish: Camino de Santiago), close to Chartres...

    A signpost depicting a scallop shell, the iconic symbol of the Way of St. James (Spanish: Camino de Santiago), close to Chartres Cathedral. Chartres Cathedral is situated in the medieval town of Chartres, the cathedral is situated on the Christian pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, also known as the Way of St. James. The Way of St. James is also a UNESCO World Heritage.

  15. Chartres Cathedral - Chartres Cathedral: The rose window on the south façade depicts the Apocalypse, the prophets, the evangelists, the...

    Chartres Cathedral: The rose window on the south façade depicts the Apocalypse, the prophets, the evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Restoration works on the cathedral have been carried out continuously since the 14th century. Important restorations were carried out in the 19th and 20 centuries. The cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.