Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral, France. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, the cathedral is often regarded as the epitome of the Gothic style among France's cathedrals. Its original stained-glass windows are almost perfectly preserved.

Cathedral in Chartres, France. Founded in the 11th century by Bishop Fulbert, it is regarded by many as the most perfect of the Gothic cathedrals of France. The cathedral represents work done in two stages. The original, incomplete, cathedral was built in 1194, and only the southwest tower (1145-65) and the lower range of the western portal survive from it. The latter, however, contains in the jambs the earliest Gothic portal-figures which are among the masterpieces of French sculpture (1145-50). The second cathedral (1194-1225) was built to a new and more integrated design, and brought the Gothic style to its full maturity.

The cathedral has outstanding rose windows, doors, and statuary, and two magnificent spires, of which the clocher vieux dates from 1145-65, and the clocher neuf was begun in 1134 and completed in the 16th century. The latter spire is the higher (113 m/371 ft) and is the more richly designed. The portal figures of the north and south transept porches continue the high accomplishments of the western porch into the High Gothic style, and the stained glass of the 13th century, showing a similar development, is almost completely preserved.