Sainte-Chapelle
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History
The Sainte-Chapelle was constructed in the mid-13th century as a chapel within the Palais de la Justice to hold relics of Christ belonging to King Louis IX
of France, which he had purchased from
Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople. The relics included the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus during his
crucifixion and the Image of Edessa, a piece of cloth which was said to feature a miraculous image of the face
of Jesus that eventually went missing during the French Revolution. Later relics added by the king included fragments of
the True Cross, thought to be the cross that Jesus died on, and the Holy Lance , which was used to pierce his side while
he hung on the cross. As the home of such important relics, the Sainte-Chapelle was considered to be a prestigious
palace chapel that demonstrated the great importance of the king.
Highlights
This historic chapel is primarily known for its fascinating architecture and impressive collection of 13th-century stained glass windows, one of the largest in the entire world. It is considered to be a great example of the Rayonnant period of French Gothic architecture due to its vertical emphasis, which can be seen in its
extraordinarily high ceilings.Statues of the Twelve Apostles
When you enter the chapel, the first thing you notice are the magnificent stained glass windows, and the beautiful scenes of saints and martyrs painted beneath them. Between the windows are 12 large stone sculptures that represent the 12 Apostles of Jesus. Six of these immense sculptures are replicas, though the damaged originals can be seen in the Musée national du Moyen Âge.The Stained Glass Windows
The chapel is primarily known for its fifteen large stained glass windows that date back to the 13th century, as well its large rose window which was added around the late 15th century. The windows depict scenes from the New Testament and the Old Testament, as well as the story of the chapel’s relics, including their rediscovery and relocation to Paris.The Rose Window
One of the most famous windows within the church is the large, round rose window which depicts the Book of Revelation in 87 striking scenes. It is one of the most photographed windows of the church.The Exodus Window
This window features 112 scenes which present the Book of Exodus, including God appearing to Moses in several scenes, as well as depictions of Moses as a legislator and religious leader.The Window of St. John the Baptist
Yet another window showcasing scenes from the Old Testament, this window includes scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist as well as the Book of Daniel. Its most impressive scenes depict the birth of John the Baptist and his martyrdom, while excerpts from the Book of Daniel include the story of Daniel in the lions’ den.The Relics of the Passion Window
This stained glass masterpiece is especially unique because it depicts contemporary scenes instead of biblical stories, something which was quite rare in the 13th century. In addition to telling the history of the True Cross, which is said to have been found by Saint Helena sometime in the 4th century,
it also features 19 panels relating to the transport of the Crown of Thorns to France.Practical Information
The Sainte-Chapelle is quite easy to find, since it is one of the main monuments located on Île de la Cité, which is not a very large island. The most scenic way to access the church is by walking across the Seine using Pont Neuf, which crosses the tip of the island. However, Paris also has an extensive public transportation system.Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
By Metro
In order to get to the Sainte-Chapelle by metro, you’ll need to use line 4. The only metro stop on Île de la Cité is Cité, though the Saint Michel stop across the Seine is also quite near to the church.By Bus
Several urban bus services reach the Sainte-Chapelle, including lines 21, 27, 38, 85, and 96, as well as the Balabus tour bus.Hours
It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. (November through February) and 9:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. (March through October). The Sainte-Chapelle is also open on Wednesday evenings between 15 May and 15 September until 21:00 p.m.Prices
Admission costs approximately €9 ($10) for adults, has a €6 ($6.90) reduced rate, and is free for children under 18. People between the ages of 18 and 25 who are EU citizens can also enjoy free admission to the Sainte-Chapelle.Similar Landmarks
Paris is home to several other historic churches, including Sacre Coeur, Notre-Dame de Paris, The Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Val-de-Grâce, and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis.Do you see any omissions, errors or want to add information to this page? Sign up.
Author: ehuttner. Last updated: Apr 02, 2015
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