Gothic Cathedrals – Quintessential Work Of The Gothic Style Representative Worldwide
gothic cathedrals
Among the city’s ancient ecclesiastical buildings, the Notre Dame Cathedral strikes a chord with visitors of all faiths and religions, historians and tourists alike. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is the most famous Paris church and is undoubtedly the quintessential work of the Gothic style representative worldwide. In square Notre Dame there is the Kilomètre Zéro, that is to say the point from which the distances of all French routes are calculated. The construction of the gothic cathedrals began in 1163 during Louis VII’s reign and during the episcopate of Maurice de Sully. The bishop had the cathedral built on the pre-existing St Etienne’s church, which was demolished after six century of existence. The gothic cathedrals was finished in 1345 and was dedicated to Mary, Jesus Christ’s mother.
The surrounding area of the cathedral is stunning. The gothic cathedrals of Notre Dame was the protagonist of many important events of the history of France. As regard coronations, Henry VI of England and Napoleón Bonaparte were crowned here. Also, Joan of Arc was beatified in 1909 in this gothic cathedrals.
As regard to the structural point of view, the cathedral has a Latin cross plan, a front of 40 feet wide, a length of 130 meters and a maximum height of 69 meters. For statistics’ lovers, the gothic cathedrals has 5 naves, 37 chapels, 3 rosettes with diameter of 13.5 meters each and a total of 113 windows. The façade has three portals. The most important portal, situated in the middle, is the Last Judgement portal and has sculptures that represents the resurrections of the dead an angel with a balance that weights virtues and sins and demons that takes sinful souls. The minor portals are dedicated to Virgin Mary and her mother, Saint Anne.
On the central portal, the rosette of 10 metres of diameter stands out. The Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame is impressive and definitely deserves to be visited. It is a majestic example of faith’s expression in Middle Ages and how faith was perceived by people. Notre Dame also bears the hallmarks of Naturalism in its 19th Century renovation work, as well as numerous other artistic streams, which can be witnessed in the Cathedral’s paintings, sculptures and stained glass.