The Sainte-Chapelle
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In the heart of Paris, on the Île de la Cité, there is a treasure, a jewel of Gothic art built in just 7 years.
La Sainte-Chapelle was built by Louis IX as a chapel for the Palais de la Cité, the royal residence, to house the Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the Cross and other relics: the sovereign had decided that there was no suitable place for such precious relics, so he decided to build a treasure chest of light never before seen in the world.
The building consists of two chapels one above the other: the lower one for the members of the court and the servants, and the upper one for the royal family.
One thousand one hundred and thirteen stained glass windows, 15 meters high, depict episodes from the Old and New Testaments.
We can say without hesitation that it is a miracle that we can still admire this medieval masterpiece today: it has survived two great fires, several floods of the Seine, revolutions and wars.
Isn’t that incredible!
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