A Rainy Day......
Tuesday, 17. June 2008, 01:41:34
With all intentions of seeing Versailles today, the sky was dark with clouds and rain was imminent this morning….not a good day for wondering around in acres of gardens. So not to waste the day, I decided to go back to one of the few places I know well in France.
For sentimental reason I went alone with just my driver to a place that I have fond memories of time spent with the one person who truly understood me.......
Chartres:
Just 50 miles southwest of Paris is one of the great architectural masterpieces of France.
The “Notre-Dame de Chartres”. High on a hill over looking the city, the present Cathedral as it stands was built between 1194 and 1290 on the site of the fire damaged original Church that dated back to the 8th century.
As you approach the city by road, it’s spires can be seen 20 miles away. One of the first examples of Gothic architecture, it’s flying buttresses were in innovation that allowed for massive high walls and vaulted ceilings that became the standard feature of cathedrals in the middle ages. Three great portals give entrance, each multi arched portal carved with life like figures of robed saints and charters of the faith. They are beautiful works of art themselves.
On my many trips to Germany for recording sessions, I used to meet my wife on the North portal steps when her work brought her to Europe. This was always our special meeting place to steal a day or two and spend time alone together while we could. A British musician friend owns a small chateau near the city that was always at our disposal. We would spend time just silently holding hands and looking with amazement at the sculpture and fine details of the building. Being born Catholic, it had special meaning to her.
She truly loved this place.
The history of this building is long and somewhat mysterious. Many theories have been given rise to the carved figures and symbols that fill the walls and porches of this massive structure. But the one thing that cannot be denied is the beauty of some of the world’s most famous stain glass windows. High up on the walls are the work of craftsmen that have no rival in stain glass. 28,000 sq ft of glass make up the windows that cast a beautiful pattern of light onto the floor of church. The most famous are the 3 great round “Rose Windows” that dominate the walls. During World War One in anticipation of a siege of Paris, and again During World War Two, the thousands of eventual pieces of the windows were loving dismantled, cataloged and stored for safe keeping, the pains being irreplaceable. We would sit for hours with binoculars and gazed at the window details, always seeing something we didn’t see before.
Another feature of Charters that you will not see at first because of the eyes being drawn to the beauty of the building itself is the choir screen. Just pass the transept in the middle of the church is a panel that separated the choir from the seating. It is a delicately carved screen of wood that took over two hundred years to complete. There is no way to describe it any other way than I have already. It is simple amazing once you know what it is and really look at it.
The vaulted ceiling of Chartres is some thirty feet higher than the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, a tribute to it builder. The stone walls 12 feet thick at the base are castle like, and combined with the buttresses, hold a load bearing of unbelievable weight.
Today I sat silently watching the visitors as they viewed the almost 800 year old church for the first time and tried to imagine what it took in manpower and resources to build.
But all my mind wanted to do was remember......
For sentimental reason I went alone with just my driver to a place that I have fond memories of time spent with the one person who truly understood me.......
Chartres:
Just 50 miles southwest of Paris is one of the great architectural masterpieces of France.
The “Notre-Dame de Chartres”. High on a hill over looking the city, the present Cathedral as it stands was built between 1194 and 1290 on the site of the fire damaged original Church that dated back to the 8th century.
As you approach the city by road, it’s spires can be seen 20 miles away. One of the first examples of Gothic architecture, it’s flying buttresses were in innovation that allowed for massive high walls and vaulted ceilings that became the standard feature of cathedrals in the middle ages. Three great portals give entrance, each multi arched portal carved with life like figures of robed saints and charters of the faith. They are beautiful works of art themselves.
On my many trips to Germany for recording sessions, I used to meet my wife on the North portal steps when her work brought her to Europe. This was always our special meeting place to steal a day or two and spend time alone together while we could. A British musician friend owns a small chateau near the city that was always at our disposal. We would spend time just silently holding hands and looking with amazement at the sculpture and fine details of the building. Being born Catholic, it had special meaning to her.
She truly loved this place.
The history of this building is long and somewhat mysterious. Many theories have been given rise to the carved figures and symbols that fill the walls and porches of this massive structure. But the one thing that cannot be denied is the beauty of some of the world’s most famous stain glass windows. High up on the walls are the work of craftsmen that have no rival in stain glass. 28,000 sq ft of glass make up the windows that cast a beautiful pattern of light onto the floor of church. The most famous are the 3 great round “Rose Windows” that dominate the walls. During World War One in anticipation of a siege of Paris, and again During World War Two, the thousands of eventual pieces of the windows were loving dismantled, cataloged and stored for safe keeping, the pains being irreplaceable. We would sit for hours with binoculars and gazed at the window details, always seeing something we didn’t see before.Another feature of Charters that you will not see at first because of the eyes being drawn to the beauty of the building itself is the choir screen. Just pass the transept in the middle of the church is a panel that separated the choir from the seating. It is a delicately carved screen of wood that took over two hundred years to complete. There is no way to describe it any other way than I have already. It is simple amazing once you know what it is and really look at it.
The vaulted ceiling of Chartres is some thirty feet higher than the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, a tribute to it builder. The stone walls 12 feet thick at the base are castle like, and combined with the buttresses, hold a load bearing of unbelievable weight.
Today I sat silently watching the visitors as they viewed the almost 800 year old church for the first time and tried to imagine what it took in manpower and resources to build.
But all my mind wanted to do was remember......
(14%)
WIDGETIZE
baby_2u # 17. June 2008, 01:52
Memories can be a good thing
Thank you
b2u
Naomi # 17. June 2008, 02:40
Phantom # 20. June 2008, 07:23
And yes, I am glad I did go. Closure of sort.
Gaurav # 28. June 2008, 03:55