Chartres Cathedral

I recently visited Chartres Cathedral in France with my family. It is the most stunning and beautiful structure I have ever visited. When I told a friend about my visit, he said, perhaps hyperbolically (after having visited over twenty times) that the Cathedral is "the most important place on planet earth!"

Chartres Cathedral is a magnificent Catholic church. It was constructed primarily from 1194 to 1220, but it is built on foundations of a church that was first built in the fourth century! It is celebrated for its High and Classic Gothic architecture and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. The cathedral boasts exquisite stained-glass windows, flying buttresses, and distinctive spires--the spires date from the 16th century. Elaborate sculptures adorn its façades, depicting religious motifs--each stained-glass window tells a biblical story or a story from church history. Serving as a prominent pilgrimage destination, it houses revered relics like the Sancta Camisa and a Black Madonna, drawing both religious devotees and tourists captivated by its architectural and artistic splendor.

I hope you enjoy these photos. I probably included more than I should have, but I was unable to pare them down due to the beauty of the art and architecture.

Even this teenager enjoyed Chartres!