Chartres Cathedral

Located about 80 km (50 miles) from Paris, Chartres Cathedral is the home of the bishop of Chartres. The construction mostly happened between 1194 and 1220. More than 5 cathedrals stood on this place before Chartres Cathedral took over the place as the episcopal see.?

The cathedral sports a flamboyant north spire with High Gothic and Romanesque style. Since its inception in the 12th century, the cathedral draws in hundreds of tourists. Most of them come to witness the relic – Sancta Camisa; believed to be the tunic worn by St. Mary at the time of the birth of Christ Jesus.?

The most distinctive feature of the Chartes Cathedral is the stained glass windows. There are more than 167 windows. The structure and shape provide the option for having multiple windows. Further, the dense paintings provide a dark interior but a blue and red lighting effect.?

Further, the cathedral boasts 3 Rose windows. Each Rose window has an approximate diameter of about 12 meters. The West Rose depicts the judgment day, the North Rose is dedicated to Mother Mary while the South Rose is dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ.