Travel to France: Paris 1: Gothic: Photo 16

From the birthplace of Gothic to (by some measures) its apogee: we've come to Sainte Chapelle, which shares the tiny Île de la Cité with the Cathedral of Notre Dame and several government buildings, including the Palais de Justice, safe behind its giltwork here. The site was once the palace of Louis IX (alias St. Louis, r. 1226-1270), which is why Sainte Chapelle is here. It was built, in other words, as a private chapel attached to the king's apartments. Like so much of Europe, the handsome spire, which is cedar sheathed in lead, is not as old as it looks. It's the fifth one and was added in the 1850s. The chapel itself was built between 1241 and 1244--quick work--and consecrated in 1248 before Louis set off on the Seventh Crusade.

View: tiny * small * medium * big * biggest Photo Size

Back to France: Paris 1: Gothic chapter

Short link for this page: http://www.greatmirror.com?justpic=33556