Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Portail Royal

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The upper bodies of the three jamb statues. Standing at the right portal of the Royal Portal, they are very close to the thousands of visitors, that use this entrance every day. The slim jamb statues are elongated and are very elegant. They depict kings, queens and figures from the Old Testament. The lady wears very long braids (just like the lady at the center portal). Only the two male persons have halos! The king in the center holds a scepter with a "Fleur-de-lis", a royal symbol. His index finger points exactly to this symbol. A medieval legend connects the "Fleur-de-lis" with Clovis I (466-511), who united the Frankish tribes and was the first king of the Franks. The Capetian dynasty used the symbol since Robert II ( aka "Robert le Pieux", +1031). So when the statue was carved (1150) this was a kind of political statement. Please note the little centaur, blowing a horn, just above the king´s shoulder.

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The upper part of the Royal Portal´s right portal is seen here. This portal is the entrance for thousands of visitors every day. The lintel is carved in two registers. The lower one depicts (from left to right) the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity (ox and ass have lost their heads), the Adoration to the Shepherds. The Presentation in the Temple is seen on the upper register. The tympanum is seen as a "Sedes Sapientiae", Virgin and Child enthroned, flanked by two censing angels. The archivolts, surrounding the tympanum, are carved with personifications of the Seven Liberal Arts. "Music" (inner archivolt, right side) holds vielle and organum and plays a carillon.

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The upper part of the Royal Portal´s left portal is seen here. The tympanum shows Christ standing on a cloud, supported by two angels. This is probably a depiction of the Ascension of Christ. Witnesses watch the scene from the lintel below. On the archivolts are zodiacs and the Labors of the months.

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The left portal of the "Portail Royal" is seen here. The tympanum shows Christ standing on a cloud, supported by two angels. This is probably a depiction of the Ascension of Christ. On the archivolts are zodiacs and the Labors of the months.

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The central part of the "Portail Royal", seen here, depicts the Last Judgment. Christ, enthroned in a mandorla, surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. The jamb statues, flanking the doors, are clearly elongated and very elegant. They depict kings, queens and figures from the Old Testament. Here are the upper bodies of the three of the portal´s left side. The lady has some really long braids! Some authors describe the facial expression of these statues as "arrogant". Well, I do not have the impression, that they look arrogant. They show a certain "distance" as they do not face the onlookers. They all just focus on a point behind the horizon. About 50 years later similar statues even showed a smile (eg Reims).

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The central part of the "Portail Royal" depicts the Last Judgment. Christ, enthroned in a mandorla, surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. The jamb statues, flanking the doors, are clearly elongated and are very elegant. They depict kings, queens and figures from the Old Testament. Here are the four statues of the portal´s right side.

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. The central part of the "Portail Royal", seen here, depicts the Last Judgment. Christ, enthroned in a mandorla, surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. Christ raises his right hand in blessing and holds a bible in his left hand. The "Elders of the Apocalypse" populate the two outer archivolts. The jamb statues, flanking the doors, are clearly elongated and are very elegant. They depict kings, queens and figures from the Old Testament.

There have been five cathedrals on this site. One was destroyed by Visigothic troops mid of the 8th century. The successive cathedral was burnt down by Vikings ("Danes") in 858. The carolingian structure that was erected within the next decades was burnt down in 962 by troops led by Richard I of Normandy (aka "Richard the Fearless", "Richard Sans-Peur"). The rebuilding started again, but whatever was completed got destroyed by a fire, caused accidently, in 1020. The erection of a Romanesque cathedral started and most of the still existing crypt dates back to that building. In 1134, another fire damaged the town and large parts of the cathedral. The towers got repaired and rebuilt and the portal between them got created. Another blaze hit the town in June 1194. The cathedral was burnt down. Construction works started the same year. The western towers and the undamaged western portal ("Portail Royal") got integrated into the new building. The nave was already vaulted in 1220, the transept and the stained windows were completed in 1260. On 24 October 1260, only 66 years after the start of construction, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame was consecrated in the presence of Louis IX of France (aka "Saint Louis", "le Prudhomme"). Since Charles the Bald, Louis the Pious´ son, had given the "Sancta Camisia" to the cathedral in 876. Because of this "Veil of the Virgin" Chartres developed into a very important Marian pilgrimage center in medieval times. The "Portail Royal" is part of the cathedral´s western façade. This portal survived the fire, that destroyed the preceding cathedral in 1194. The portal was carved by 1150, a visible transition from Romanesque to Gothic style.