King Louis IX used the Gothic architectural masterpiece, Sainte-Chapelle, to unify his kingdom and to convince his subjects that he was the God-given king . ... The chapel was built by the king to hold the crown of thorns purportedly worn by Christ on the cross.
Why is the Sainte-Chapelle famous?
The Sainte-Chapelle is most famous for it’s collection of stained glass windows . In fact, the chapel boasts the most extensive collection of 13th century stained glass in the world! ... The last window depicts the discovery of the religious relics that King Louis IX built the chapel for.
Why should you visit Sainte-Chapelle?
Sainte-Chapelle was an architectural and aesthetic marvel of its day and at one time the most important and holy place in the whole world. Built during the second half of the 13th Century by Louis IX, Saint Chapelle is a place of extraordinary religious symbolism .
What is the function of Sainte-Chapelle?
The Sainte-Chapelle or “Holy Chapel”, in the courtyard of the royal palace on the Île de la Cité (now part of a later administrative complex known as La Conciergerie), was built to house Louis IX’s collection of relics of Christ , which included the crown of thorns, the Image of Edessa and some thirty other items.
What is unique about the Sainte-Chapelle?
The main feature of the Sainte-Chapelle are the stained glass windows . ... There are 15 windows in total, and they date back to the 13th century. In fact, the Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most extensive collection of 13th century stained glass in the world.
Is Sainte-Chapelle free?
Adults pay full-price admission to Sainte-Chapelle, while children under 18 enter for free when accompanied by an adult . Disabled visitors and their escorts also enter for free (with a proper identity card). For up-to-date details on admission fees, consult the official website.
Is the crown of thorns in Sainte-Chapelle?
Situated within the palace walls, Saint-Chapelle stands to this day as a reliquary chapel. Entering the structure, the first thing that strikes the visitor is the extensive use of stained glass and the Gothic sense of elevation. However, the Crown of Thorns is no longer housed in Sainte-Chapelle .
Does Sainte-Chapelle have mass?
St. Chapelle does not hold masses , particularly since it is in the Ministry of Justice (Supreme Court) of France.
Can you get married in Sainte-Chapelle?
This chapel is dedicated to King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette but most importantly, it belongs to the french state, not to the church. Because of that, it’s the only place in Paris where you can actually have a ceremony in a chapelle . ... Your guests will be abble to seat to attend your blessing ceremony.
How long does the Sainte-Chapelle take?
over a year ago. You can go as quickly as you like once you get through the line. I would recommend spending between 30 minutes to an hour on both levels.
What does Sainte-Chapelle symbolize?
A symbol of royalty gone wrong
A true symbol of the monarchy, the Sainte-Chapelle was one of the first targets of French Revolutionaries in 1789. While two-thirds of its stained glass windows are original, different restorations throughout the chapel’s history have removed some of its panels.
What style is the Sainte-Chapelle?
... monuments of France, the 13th-century Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel). Built at Louis IX’s direction between 1243 and 1248, it is a masterpiece of Gothic Rayonnant style .
Does Sainte-Chapelle have flying buttresses?
The first thing you notice as you approach Sainte Chapelle is its flamboyant Gothic style. Complete with an oversized rose window, flying buttresses and impressive spire, it is amazing to think that it took just six years to build. ... Of course, what stands out above all else in the chapel are its stained glass panels.
Is Sainte-Chapelle worth visiting?
For enthusiasts of ancient architecture as well as travelers who are into church tourism, Sainte Chappelle is the perfect place to start an adventure and definitely worth visiting . Constructed and dedicated in the 1200s at the request of the French King Louis IX, Sainte Chapelle was a large repository of relics.
Why is the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle considered an architectural reliquary?
The Sainte-Chapelle is a reliquary chapel meant to house a number of relics, particularly the Passion relics . Like other large churches, its construction included a nave, apse and vaulting. ... Many things were stripped from the building, including relics, reliquaries and the baldachin.
What is unique about Sainte-Chapelle compared to other Gothic artworks?
Sainte-Chapelle is a typical example of Rayonnant Gothic style architecture, a style characterized by extreme degrees of illumination along with the appearance of structural lightness . In addition, decorative elements are given much greater importance in Rayonnant structures.
