Paris - Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was part of the Palais de la Cité, residence of the French Royals between 10th and 14th century. The chapel was built, to house Louis IX's vast collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, the Image of Edessa and the point of the "Holy Lance" - and many more prominent relics.

Saint Louis (aka Louis IX) had purchased the "Passion Relics" from Baldwin II, unfortunate emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for 135,000 livres. The money was actually paid to the Venetians, to whom the relics had been pawned.

Begun around 1239 and consecrated in 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered among the highest achievements of the Gothic architecture.

A fire damaged the chapel 1630, that got restored after that. The chapel suffered its most grievous destruction during the French Revolution, when the steeple got removed and many of the precious reliquaries were melted down. Later the revolutionists tried to sell the ruined building. It was even discussed to knock it down.

Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s. The chapel has two floors, both have a portal. Seen here is the larger one.
"The Last Judgement" is a "traditional" theme for 1240. The graves open, a psychostasia in the center between them. The hell is to the right, the heaven to the left. Christ, seated on a throne, flanked by two angels, who held the Crown of Thorns, the "Holy Lance" and the "True Cross".


sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/