Official name: The Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Amiens Built: 1220-1269 Designed by: Renaud de Cormont, Thomas de Cormont, and Robert de Luzarches Type: Holy Place Maximum height: 370 feet / 112.7 meters Maximum length: 476 feet / 145 meters Location: Place Notre-Dame, Amiens, France
T he pinnacle of gothic religious architecture in France isn't in Pairs; it's in the town of Amiens. It was here in 1220 that the gothic style of architecture took planted its roots deep in the French soil. In 1218, it is likely that few saw the burning of the 1152 Amiens Cathedral as a good thing. But in a historical context, the timing couldn't have been better. The discoveries and ideals of gothic architecture were sweeping across Europe just as the people of Amiens needed to build a wonderful new structure.
The interior features vaults which are ribbed, allowing them to soar to then-unprecedented heights while allowing more light to pour through the high windows. The external double row of flying buttresses expose the skeleton of the building, while providing additional space for pinnacles, and other ornamentation. From both inside and outside, everything is designed to soar -- to reach for higher goals, and bring the viewer and his religious experience closer to God. At the time of its completion, this was the tallest church in France.
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is a textbook example of the gothic style. Shafts of stone appear deceptively delicate as they stack upon one another through the arcade, triforium, and clerestory. The cathedral has a main nave flanked on either side by an arcade, which supports the triforium and eventually the magnificent stained glass windows of the clerestory. As space converges at the top of each bay, an oculus window fills the gap and provides even more light and beauty.
While it's nice that the cathedral gives us so many reasons to adore it, that is one reason to despise it. The casual viewer or tourist can be overwhelmed by all the eye candy. Taking time to digest the visual delights doesn't help; it just leads to the intellectual equivalent of indigestion. When the cathedral was built, people spent more time in church and could absorb its magnificence over a long period. This was a cathedral built for them and their time. Unless you live in Amiens, chances are you will be rushed through its glory and leave either unsatisfied or overwhelmed by the experience -- irony for a piece of art created 700 years before music television.
> 1218 - The original cathedral on this site burns down.
> 1220 - Work begins on the current cathedral.
> 1236 - The nave and western facade are completed.
> 1238 - Work begins on the radiating chapels.
> 1240 - Work is suspended when money runs out.
> 1258 - Work resumes.
> 1269 - The choir is completed.
> 1290 - Construction begins on the side chapels.
> 1375 - Chapel construction is completed.
> 1366 - The south tower is completed.
> 1402 - The north tower is completed.
> 1981 - The Cathedral of Notre-Dame becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
> The interior height of the nave in 143 feet/46 meters.
ALEXANDRA Russell
Monday, February 5th, 2007 @ 6:15pm
Rating: Five stars. It is truely the most beautiful catheral in the world The stian glass windows and statues are gorgeous and the Colours are just incredible
Jess Lisle
Thursday, November 10th, 2005 @ 5:23am
Rating: Five stars. i think this cathedral was the best i saw in France. I even did an assgnment on it because it was so good!!! I loved all the ornate windows and objects!!!
Andrew Postance
Wednesday, September 29th, 2004 @ 11:09am
Rating: Five stars. I am a real enthusiast of Gothic cathedrals having visited quite a few over the last decade or so. Amiens is almost certainly in the top 3 in terms of its light but above all its glass. Your photograph does not do this fabulous structure justice. May I also commend the wonderful display of the west front at night. The project to repaint to the original colours the statues and gargoyles using laser is quite breath taking in its technology and the resultant effect. Well worth a trip for that element alone.
Might I also commend the organist who, I was fortunate enough to hear play some of JS Bach's work during a wedding taking place when I visited... a free concert as well.
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New York, United States
ALEXANDRA Russell
Five stars.
Andrew Postance