subject: Exploring The Chartes Cathedral [print this page] One of the most famous cathedrals today is the Cathedral of Our Lady Chartres. This cathedral is Catholic and it is located in Chartres, France.
It is situated only about 50 miles away from Paris. This cathedral is particularly famous for its unique Gothic architecture that incorporates magnificent stained glass windows.
The stained glass windows are extremely detailed. These glass windows are well known for their size and their depiction of various Biblical characters.
There are three of these large windows. Each window has a particular theme.
The window located on the west features a theme of the Last Judgment. The glass window in the north features a theme based on the Glorification of the Virgin while the south window depicts a theme of the Glorification of Christ.
Throughout the years many cathedrals have been built and destroyed on the same location. The current cathedral is number five.
The cathedral is described to appear like it is floating in the air about the wheat fields as you approach the city as tourist. This element adds a mystical feeling to the church.
Throughout history the cathedral was considered to be the most important building in all Chartres by far. Not only was it a religious center, but a center for the Chartres' economy and tourism.
Even today, it is still a famous landmark and the highlight of the town. The people of Chartres still consider this building to be the center of almost every meeting and activity.
During the Middle Ages certain parts of the church were used as the place for commerce. Trading and other market activities would take place at various portals in the basilica.
Textiles were most commonly sold in the northern area of the cathedral while fuel, vegetables, and meat were sold toward the south. On occasion, the clergy would try to force the market out of the cathedral.
However, with the way that taxes worked, sellers were able to avoid taxes by selling within the cathedral. This made it a very appealing place to sell goods.
For example, the clergy did forbid the wine sellers from selling their goods within the crypt. However, they were allowed to sell their goods in the nave of the cathedral, where they could avoid taxes.
If they sold their wine off of church property, then they were required to pay taxes on the money they earned. The cathedral was also a center for job seekers.
For example, many of the people selling items at the market were craftsmen. As a result, carpenters and masons would seek them out in order to offer their services.
Apprentices would seek masters to teach them new skills in the market place as well. People came from all over seeking employment here as well as making pilgrimages.
However, these pilgrimages were made to Chartres well before the cathedral was even constructed. The crypt of the church that stood before the present cathedral was used as a hospital for the sick.
This hospital was particularly important when ergotism, or St. Anthony's fire, afflicted the people during the Middle Ages. The church did not become a popular pilgrimage destination until the 12 century.
To encourage this pilgrimage, there were four great fairs held. These fairs were held in conjunction with the main feast days of the Virgin.
The main feast days include the Presentation, Annunciation, Assumption, and the Nativity. These fairs were very popular and they were attended by many people.
They were not only popular for food and entertainment however. These feast days were also popular because the people would get the chance to see the cloak of the Virgin.
Today, the relic is still kept sacred in the cathedral of Chartes and many travel there to see it. The legend surrounding this cloak is that this tunic belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It is called the Sancta Camisa and it has been protected carefully since the year 876 in the cathedral. It was given to the cathedral by Charlemagne who obtained it while on a crusade to Jerusalem.
Charlemagne claimed to have received is as a gift from Charles the Bald, the Holy Roman Emperor at the time. At the time that the gift was given, the chapel that stood was called the Church of Saint Mary.
This gift is believed to be the tunic that Mary wore when she gave birth to Christ. The gift has been cherished ever since it was given.
Today this cathedral is still a very popular place to visit. It has beautiful stained glass windows, fantastic architecture and a very interesting history.
