France World Heritage Chartres Cathedral part 3 August 11, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Air Tickets, Europe, Hotels, Jerusalem, Library, Museum, Oceanarium, Rail Pass, Restaurant, Sightseeing, Tickets, Tour , 3commentsIt was called ‘La Lieue’, The League, although the length of its path isconsiderably shorter than a league (6,850 feet/ 2,088m) at approximately 450 feet (140m). It is believed that the Christian usage of such designs was as penance paths, and there are hints in names for Christian labyrinths that suggest their perambulation could be used in lieu of a physical pilgrimage to Jerusalem. But they are also cosmographic images, and this is indicated by the Chartres design. (more…)
France World Heritage Chartres Cathedral part 2 August 11, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Europe, Jerusalem, London, Middle East, Rail Pass, Sightseeing, Tour, Trails, Trip , 3commentsCharpentier felt that was a link between the Ark and Chartres forged by the mysterious Order of the Knights Templar. He questioned the immediacy with which Gothic architecture appeared, particularly Chartres, and how it was concurrent with the Romanesque style, not deriving from it. How could it spring up so readily? There must have been a school from which the master builders emerged, Charpentier reasoned. (more…)
France World Heritage Chartres Cathedral part 1 August 11, 2008
Posted by dodo in : Destination, Jerusalem, Museum, Sightseeing, Tour , 4commentsEven from great distances, the soaring profile of Chartres Cathedral dominates the flat landscape of La Beauce. It also rises over the small town of Chartres itself, being built on a modest rise of ground.
Chartres, the epitome of Gothic cathedrals, was designed by an unknown master. Building commenced in 1194 and was virtually completed by 1220; the west towers had been built a little earlier. There had been churches on the site since at least the fourth century. There is little doubt that this location had been a major Druidic centre, on which the Romans subsequently erected a pagan shrine. (more…)
