In the heart of the River Seine, we find one of the great churches of France, which stands out for its incomparable stained glass windows and surprising history. We are talking about the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, one of the most important must-sees in the city. Do you want to discover a little more about her? We invite you to continue reading our article!
By the 13th century, Christianity had spread throughout most of Europe, with Constantinople being the centerpiece of this religion. However, Christian devotion in France was remarkable, and one of its kings, Louis IX (later known as Saint Louis), wanted to make Paris the main seat of Catholicism.
The monarch had the opportunity to fulfill his wish, since at that time, the emperor of Byzantium had great debts and to pay them he decided to sell the relics of Jesus Christ. These relics were the greatest treasure of Christianity, because they included pieces such as the crown of thorns, a piece of the cross where Jesus was crucified and the spear with which he was martyred.
In 1239 King Louis IX bought the Crown of Thorns from the emperors of Constantinople for an amount that tripled the total cost of building the chapel itself. Louis IX went personally to look for the relics, and when he arrived in Paris, he ordered the construction of a chapel where they would be placed.
In only seven years, a record time for that time, the Sainte Chapelle was built and inaugurated. The Sainte Chapelle was not built just as a chapel, but to guard one of the greatest treasures of Christianity, the Crown of Thorns of Christ.
Located on the Ile de la Cité, near the Cathedral of Notre Dame and La Conciergerie, stands the Sainte Chapelle de Paris. This is considered one of the great works of the Gothic period, and no wonder, few structures are similar.
One of its peculiarities is that it has two floors, very different from each other. The lower floor has a classic medieval style, its walls are sturdy and it is considerably darker than the upper floor. This part of the chapel is dominated by a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, and was the place reserved for the workers of the former royal palace.
On the other hand, the upper floor is awe inspiring. The place has almost no walls, and the structure is supported on huge stained glass windows that let in a lot of natural light. These stained glass windows tell the story of the Bible, from the creation of the world, through the birth and life of Jesus, up to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.
While, in other parts of the stained glass windows, we see the journey that the relics made from Constantinople to Paris. Louis IX is also represented here, so the artistic, religious, cultural and historical value of the stained glass windows of the Sainte Chapelle is incalculable.
This church is open to the public, although with different hours, which vary according to the season. It is not as big or splendid as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, but it is one of the essential stops for those who want to know Paris.
To enter the Sainte Chapelle, you have to buy a ticket. For European citizens who are between 18 and 25 years of age receive a discount.
Finally, keep in mind that the Sainte Chapelle is an old and small space structure, so you will likely have to wait a bit to enter and do the tour.
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