Thursday, March 12, 2009

Travel Thursday: Sainte-Chappelle, Paris

Ste. Chappelle Interior

Located inside the Palais du Justice on the Ile de la Cité, just one short bridge over from Notre Dame, I believe Sainte-Chappelle is the oldest chapel in Paris (c. 1239). The stained glass and Gothic architecture there are just stunning. I remember seeing a woman climb up the stairs to the main chapel on the second floor, walking in and getting the full experience of seeing it for the first time and immediately bursting into tears at the sheer beauty of the place.

More...


Saint-Chappelle Door Detail

Detail of one of the doors in the main chapel.

Sainte-Chappelle 1st Floor

Stained glass in the first floor chapel.

Sainthood by Sword

All around the second floor, there are depictions of people achieving sainthood in some rather horrific ways.

Ste. Chappelle Ceiling

First floor ceiling.

Ste. Chappelle Columns

First floor columns.

Ste. Chappelle Window

Stained glass in the main chapel.


5 comments:

ahab said...

Nice shots. I esp love the door-bolt detail.

Tom Hilton said...

Wow.

Donna said...

jesus man (god, I'm on a pun roll today) these shots are stupendous!

Generik said...

Thanks. I didn't think of it when I first posted these, but I hope I wasn't stepping on your toes by putting up pictures of Paris so soon after your visit, ahab.

ahab said...

Get the hell outta here! I wish I had some special claim on Paris! (Of course, I am like 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 French...)