Essay 3

 

The Chartres Cathedral has been at the center of attention for many years and continues to remain in the middle of French perspective. It is even mentioned among those around the world. Some are consumed with the design as the cathedral is often called the most beautiful Cathedral in France. It could be the fact that it has survived more than most buildings of any sort have had to. For example it has survived two major fires, wars and revolutions. Or the great age that is attached to this particular occupier of French soil that still plagues the minds of scholars and art historians. I order to find any of these answers or the path towards them one must analyze its history and design. Not only this but also the designer and how the cathedral stands today in society and how it plays a role in France and even around the world.

 

While this very famous Cathedral has every aspect of Gothic architecture it also possesses the ability to be a milestone for Western architecture.  What stands out most often in history is the fact that Chartres Cathedral is one of the most completely surviving medieval churches in the basic knowledge of history. Aside from this the most surprising is the fact that the Chartres Cathedral is actually a result from a fire in the previous church that stood in its place. In 1194 the fire consumed the old church leaving the opportunity for the new church that would take its place in 1260. The only thing that survived the fire was a piece of oriental silk that was given to Chartres by Emperor Charles the Bald.  During the time of restoration the ground was warped from a ground of ash that was put there by a great fire into what is considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France alone. Along with that honoring title it is also considered one of the most compelling expressions of the strength and poetry of medieval Catholicism. The only thing left from the original Chartres is the piece of silk that miraculously survived the fire.

 

Those who have not seen the Cathedral are clued into the beauty when people name the Chartres one of the most enchanting pieces of architecture. But what aspects of the cathedral make it so noticeable in the past and present society? In the basic set up the cathedral is recognized as a brainchild of medieval times because of its pointed arches, the rib-and-panel vault; and, most significantly, the flying buttress. The Cathedral is most celebrated for its 12th-and 13th-century stained glass windows that heighten the spiritual intensity of the air from the natural light and the sculptures the lights spot light. The Cathedral is evidently very unique in history and design, so it is no surprise that the church is differing from other churches as the nave is wider on the interior as it is 52 feet in the ogival style. The center of the church is the only one in France that is still a surviving maze that consists of winding and hidden passages that followers of the Catholic Church used to follow on their knees.  The Cathedral contains three portals. One portal in particular contains 700 figures that show the antecedents of Christ.

 

While this Cathedral is prominent in France it is also very much talked about around the world whether it is a topic of discussion because of its interesting history or the extensive architecture that is both unique yet very definitively medieval gothic. The Chartres Cathedral is one of the most experienced churches out there today and a definite qualifier for the most survived and most unique in the past experiences and present design. With its obviously bigger nave, outstanding stained glass windows and the immense amount of flying buttresses. The most unique thing about it though would be the fact that the center of the cathedral is over run with a maze that holds much more history than a common history text book. This along with the over flowing of statues it is definitely not surprising that France considers this cathedral to be the most beautiful.