Saint Denis - blueprint of the Gothic cathedrals in France

The first appearance of what can truly be considered ‘Gothic’, both in architecture and sculpture, is attributed to the rebuilding of the royal abbey church of St. Denis, located a few miles north of Paris. St Denis basilica preceeded the Chartres cathedral, better known by the general public, by about half a century. How did the Saint Denis basilica trigger the gothic architecture in France?

Who were the true builders of Chartres Cathedral?

The five year restoration and reopening of Notre Dame de Paris on December 8, 2024 reminds one that magnificent edifices such as cathedrals are ultimately the combined passionate work of competent men and women of all trades, crafts and professions. As was the case with Notre Dame de Chartres cathedral in the 12th century.

"These poor Norman workmen departed on a new crusade, as it were, of chisel and trowel to offer their labour for the adornment of Our Lady’s Church." We know very little of the true builders of Chartres Cathedral. Who were they and how were they organized? A glimpse.

Building the gothic cathedrals: motor of an industrial and educational revolution

"Although the Gothic cathedrals were dependent on the availability of finance and the growth of cities, they in their turn produced a massive transformation of the organization of labor, resources, and knowledge. Groups of tradesmen, masons, sculptors, carpenters, glaziers, smiths, and tilers began to develop. The start of an "industrial revolution".

Building Chartres Cathedral - a laboratory with Templates, String, and Geometry

"The construction of the Gothic cathedrals, such as Chartres, poses a number of questions. As a consequence of their presuppositions about distinctions between science and technology and the nature of theory and practice, many authors answer these questions in a way that makes the process seem mysterious and radically different from "modern" construction and design. What are the facts?

Chartres' gothic Cathedral - a product of knowledge, cooperation and devotion

After the 1194 fire that all but detroyed Chartres Cathedral completely, Bishop Renaud de Mousson (also known as Reginald of Bar, installed as Bishop in 1182, died 1212), via his mother Adèle de Champagne first cousin of king Philippe Auguste of France, decided to undertake an exceptional rebuilding project using the new techniques of the time - Chartres cathedral was to become one of the first great Gothic cathedrals. 

Pre-Templar churches and cathedrals in Chartres

Time and again Chartres Cathedral, France, has been mentioned as one of the major Gothic building projects of the Knights Templar. The facts indicate, however, also many centuries of building, destruction and rebuilding preceeding the Templar epoch.