trip to chartres cathedral

Thursday May 3
Before we left for Chartres, I did a little research (as in I did a quick google image search) and found out that the city was famous for its cathedral. My first reaction was, no! not another cathedral! I had seen so many in the last week that I was starting to get a little burned out. They are all so beautiful and incredible but after seeing so many they were all starting to look the same. I wanted to know what made this one so special and different that we would take an entire day off from Paris to go see it.
Well I certainly found out.

We had a one hour tour with a guide that was very obviously passionate about his job. I think if it had not been for him I would have gained nothing from the experience.

First lesson learned: When traveling, you are missing out if you just go, look around and then leave. Don't be afraid of being a 'tourist' and taking a guided tour. I promise that you will learn so much when you actually know what you're looking at. (side note: if you don't let yourself wander around and explore on your own you are also missing out. there has to be a balance.)

Here are some facts:
-Chartres Cathedral has the largest collection of Medieval windows in the world. These windows were hidden during both world wars so that they would not be destroyed.
-They claim to have the garment that Mary wore during Christ's birth. Thus the cathedral has been a pilgrimage site since the 11th century.
-Since it is considered sacred ground, at least 5 cathedrals have been built on the same site, dating back to the 4th century. You can see the remains of the previous structures in the underground crypts directly below the cathedral.


Before the printing press existed, most people did not know how to read or write. They learned the stories in the Bible by reading stained glass windows. You probably already knew that from your 7th grade history textbook. But have you ever really thought about what it means to read a window?

what does it all mean?

 The first thing we learned is that the windows are read from bottom to top, left to right. It was incredible to go through each window and watch the pictures take on new meaning. For example, in the image above, the row of windows at the bottom depicts 4 Old testament prophets each carrying a New testament prophet on their shoulders, with Mary in the center holding Christ. This is supposed to mean that the New Testament builds upon, and is supported by, the principles in the Old Testament, with both centering on Christ.

I also learned some interesting symbolism used in the stained glass windows:
-the number 40 is symbolic of cleansing. Mary could not enter the temple for 40 days after childbirth. The Earth was flooded for 40 days, Jesus fasted for 40 days, lent is 40 days. the word quarantine comes from the French word for 40, quarante.
-A few of the windows depicted Christ on a green cross. This is symbolic of the living wood, or the Tree of Life in the garden of Eden.
-The forbidden fruit is depicted as apples as a pun because in Latin the word malum means both "evil" and "apple".
-Adam choked on the forbidden fruit which is why men have adam's apples.

Bottom left: Passion of Christ, Middle: life of Christ, right: Tree of Jesse, Top: judgement

If you are interested in learning more about these windows, there is tons of information you can check out here.

 Another cool fact: 300 years ago the whole interior of the cathedral was painted completely white with beautiful designs on the ceilings and walls Many of the sculpted doors were painted as well. The paint has faded over time and candles have blackened the walls. I used to think that gothic cathedrals had always been dark and creepy, but in reality they used to be very different. Chartres is currently being restored to its former glory, in the image above you can see the section that has already been repainted. It's going to be amazing when its done.

 I loved walking around the gardens behind the cathedral. It was a beautiful day :)

xoxo Heather