Page 51 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

FRANCE 49

ST. FIRMIN North tower

The patron saint of
Ami ens, St. Firmin was
born in Pamplona,
Spain, in around 272. ~ Rose Window
After ordination, he This immense, 16th-century
window has a diameter of
was sent to northern
43ft (13m) and feabJres
France, where he flamboyant tracery.
pursued his mission
boldly, un afraid of
persecution, and soon
settled in Ami ens. His
persuasive preaching
led to his beheading
by the Romans in
around 303.

A Central Portal
Above the doors are scenes from the
Last Judgment and there is a stabJe of
Christ between the doors.

Flying Buttresses
A double row of 22
elegant flying buttresses
support the cathedral.

~ West front

~ Nave
Soaring 138 ft (42 m)
high, with support from
126 slender pillars, the
airy, brightly lit nave is a
hymn to the vertical.

Choir Stalls
The 110 oak choir stalls
St. Firmin Por1al (1508-19) are delicately
This portal is decorated carved with more than
with figures and scenes 3,500 biblical, mythical,
from the life of St. Firmin, and real-life figures.
the ma rJ¥r who brought
Christianity to Picardy
and became the first
bishop of Ami ens.

Flooring
Originally laid down in
1288, this was re-
assembled in the late
19th century. The
faithful followed its
labyrinthine path on
Calendar ~~------~=~= "~~~£:i~~~;;:::;;;;e~~#1~~~=~~=::=::::::=-- their knees.
~~pbJ~s~~e f~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
north portal depict the
signs of the zodiac and
their corresponding
monthly labors-from
seed-sowing to grape- ~·=--'----:.=-
treading-offering an
insight into everyday life
in the 13th century.