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.

Reconstruction and restoration was done in the 1840s/1850s.

Here are more than 600m² of stained glass, about 1/3 was destroyed and had to be replaced within the 19th century. The light is breathtaking! The sights are neck breaking. This is a fantastic place. This was a sensation. Absolutely impressing, when it was completed - and it still is.

Here is a small detail.

A King, seated on a throne, listens to a visitor. The King´s advisor stands behind him and looks over his shoulder. The king holds a scepter - with a Fleur-de-Lys.

The Fleur-de-Lys, legendary connected to Clovis I, the first King of the Franks stood as a symbol of the King's divinely approved right to rule. Since Robert II (aka "Robert the Pious") it was used by all Kings from the House of Capet. Louis IX was one of them.


sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/