Cathedral of Chartres

The plan of the cathedral is cruciform with a nave that is 28 meters long and the short transepts to the north and south. The east end of the cathedral is rounded with an ambulatory which has five semi-circular chapels that radiate from it. The extensively used flying buttresses built support the weight of extremely high vaults. The skeletal system of the supports allowed large spaces of the cathedral to not only be free for many stained glass works, it also was essential for the cathedral’s towering height.





The very spacious nave is 36 meters high and has an unbroken view from the western end right till the magnificent dome of the apse in the east. The clustered columns rise from the plain bases to the high pointed arches of the ceiling which directs the eye to the massive clerestory windows that are present in the apse.

The cathedral is covered vivid colors in the floor and multicolored stained glass windows. These stained glasses date from the 13th century and escaped harm during the religious wars of the 16th century. As a matter of fact, during World War II, most of the stained glass were removed and stored in the surrounding countryside area to protect them from the German bombers. In fact the cathedral was used as a social club by the Germans when they took over France. At the end of the war, the stained glasses were restored. The cathedral is said to contain one of the most complete collections of medieval stained glass in the world. The stained glasses are particularly famous for their vivid blue color especially the representation of the Madonna and Child which is known as the Blue Virgin Window.

Many windows were donated by royalty, lords, locals and trade people. The rose window at the north transept was gifted by the French queen, Blanche of Castile. The cathedral has a total of three large rose windows. The window on the western front contains a theme of The Last Judgment, the window on the northern transept depicts the theme of the Glorification of the Virgin and lastly the rose window on the southern transept depicts the theme of the Glorification of Christ.