Sainte-Chapelle

I wasn't planning to visit Sainte-Chapelle on this trip mainly because it is always so crowded and the line so long...but when we crossed the bridge on to the Ile-de-la-cite and saw NO LINE...we both thought it would be nice to see again.  As usual, the line was hidden inside around the corner but it was not a long wait at all.  And, once inside, we were able to see so much more than on our previous visit.

Sainte Chapelle was built in the 13th century to house holy relics.  It is a Gothic architectural marvel; built in only 33 months.  There is a lower chapel where the commoners and servants worshipped and upper chapel reserved for the king and royal family.

Lower chapel
Entrance is through the lower chapel. Forty columns, which were decorated in the 19th century, carry the central vault which is only 23 ft. high.  In the rear of the room, a narrow, spiral staircase leads to the upper chapel.

The lower chapel is a very intimate space and quite awesome in itself.


Upper chapel
When climbing the winding stairs, you can imagine being a "royal" but nothing in your imagination can create the overwhelming awe that is experienced seeing this magnificient chapel for the first (or second) time.   The stained glass is the oldest to survive in Paris.  The windows were crafted by the best master-craftsmen, who had recently completed work at Chartres Cathedral.  There are over 1000 scenes depicting Bible stories from the Old and New testaments.

The entire room has a rose glow.  Light filters through the 15 50ft. stained glass windows~a kaleidoscope of brilliant color.  The windows are separated by the narrowest of columns that go almost undetected. Attached to each column is a statue of one of the Apostles.Each window tells a different story, interpreted from bottom to top.  I'm really not sure how one would actually be able to focus on an individual panel.  This is real 'sensory overload'.

The chapel is encircled by blind arcading.  The windows begin above.

 The rose window, a gift of Charles VII in 1485, illustrates St. John's vision of the Apocalypse; it is best seen at sunset.

The main portal is the same on both levels.  This photo was taken from the terrace of the portal to the upper chapel.  The carvings depict stories from the Bible.

The spire rises 245 ft. It was erected in 1853 after 3 previous spires burned down.

Surviving relics now are housed in the Notre Dame Cathedral  and the 17th century organ is now at St. Germain l'Auxerrois.  Evening concerts are performed in the upper chapel a couple times a week.

Sainte-Chapelle is a treasure that should not be missed.