Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

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Chartres’ Stained Glass VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
More than 150 stained-glass windows in the Practical Information
cathedral illustrate biblical stories and daily life Place de la Cathédrale, Chartres,
in the 13th century (bring bino culars if you Eure-et-Loir. Tel 02-37 21 75 02.
can). During both World Wars, the windows Open 8:30am– 7:30pm daily.
were dismantled piece by piece and removed 5 11:45am (in the crypt) & 6pm
for safety. Some windows were restored and Mon–Sat (9am Tue, Fri); 9:15
releaded in the 1970s, and in 2006 further (Latin) & 11am Sun. 7 8
restoration work commenced. Each window ∑ cathedrale-chartres.org
is divided into panels, which are usually read Transport
from left to right, bottom to top (earth to £ @ from Paris.
heaven). The number of figures or abstract
shapes used is symbolic: three stands for
the Church; squares and the number four
symbolize the material world or the four
elements; circles represent eternal life.

Our Lady of the Pillar
Carved from dark pear
wood, this 16th-century
replica of a 13th-century
statue is a striking shrine
that is often surrounded
by candles.

South Rose Window
The cathedral has three massive
rose windows. The one on the
south front (c.1225) illustrates the
Apocalypse, with Christ in Majesty.

. South Porch
Sculpture on the massive South
Porch (1197–1209) reflects a
selection of New Testament teaching.

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