1. Approaching Chartres…

2. Chartres Cathedral, France, c. 1100-1300

3. Flying Buttresses

4. Chartres' key relic is the tunic of the Virgin. In June, 1194, a fire devastated the town and basilica. Several days later, the relic was found, along with the men who moved it to the crypt to rescue it from the fire…they were alive. New church re-built and dedicated in by 1260.

5. a three-story nave The clerestory is filled with brilliantly colored stained glass, for which Chartres is famous. Chartres, Nave 1194-1220

6. Chartres Cathedral - West Facade Gothic Architecture 50 miles southwest of Paris Beautifully preserved example of French, High Gothic architecture. Fire destroyed much of the city of Chartres in 1134, damaging the Western face of the eleventh- century church A new facade was designed and construction begun, starting at the north tower. By 1145 both the north and south towers were underway. The portals, known as the "Royal Portals," between the towers were finished by about 1150 as were the three lancet windows above them. The last element of the facade, the spire of the north tower, was designed and built in the early years of the sixteenth century. The base of the same tower is the oldest part of the surviving facade.

8. Chartres Cathedral west portals, “Royal Portals” Remains from original Romanesque-influenced architecture

9. Doors of Notre Dame at Left Doors of Chartres at Right

11. Gothic churches have at least 3-5 portals and a large rose window over main portal. The west front central tympanum (arched area below the arch and above the lintel of a doorway) usually depicts Christ at the center Chartres' also has Mark's lion, John's eagle, Matthew's man/angel, and Luke's bull.

12. Sculpture as a Form of Instruction Larger-than-life doors transport one into another, bigger world – God’s house.

13. Chartres Sculpture Chartres boasts more than 2000 carved figures, each positioned as part of a perfect system, bringing order to chaos. Sculpture was didactic – intended to instruct.

14. Jamb Statues of the Transept Portals among the first works of High Gothic sculpture, made a half-century later than the Royal Portal sculptures The Jamb Statues of the Royal Portal (1145-1155)