Sainte Chapelle

The morning of our “free” day, we spent at Sainte Chapelle. The Sainte-Chapelle was built in the middle of the 13th century by Louis IX to house the most prestigious relic of the Passion of Christ: the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross. It is the epitome of high Gothic architecture. While there are two chapels in Sainte Chapelle, it is the upper one with contains the magnificent stained glass. As we entered, we ascended a narrow, spiral staircase to the Upper Chapel.

The awesome aspect of this chapel is the beautiful glass. Even on a cloudy day the light radiates through the windows filling the structure with a blue hue. There are 1113 scenes presented in the stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle, starting in the north with scenes from Genesis and ending in the west with the rose of the Apocalypse.

The North and South façades constitute the “historic cycle” of the Sainte-Chapelle. The major figures of the Old Testament are illustrated here: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the kings of Israel, and Joshua for the north side. Judith, Job, Esther, and David for the southern side. It is on this side, in the last window, that you will see the king himself, placing him as part of this long biblical genealogy.

The stained glass windows in the choir house 15 towering windows that are nearly 50 ft. The central apse window details the Passion of Christ, surrounded by windows depicting the Old Testament prophetic cycle of Daniel, John the Baptist, Ezekiel, Jesse, and Isaiah.

While Sainte Chapelle is known for its windows. It also has paintings and sculptures. Positioned along the nave pillars are 12 remarkable 13th-century statues of the apostles.

Before we left, we had to see the Lower Chapel. This chapel served as the church for the employees of the King. It has low vaulted ceilings and columns painted with the Fleur-de-Lys symbolic of the royal family. Its ceiling is a striking blue. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

While Sainte Chapelle is known for its windows. It also has paintings and sculptures. Positioned along the nave pillars are 12 remarkable 13th-century statues of the apostles. After we had absorbed all the beauty we could, we left to wander around this part of Paris before our afternoon of Hemingway.