Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres) is a Gothic Catholic church that has been preserved in its original form, built at the beginning of the 13th century, 96 km southwest of Paris. Erected on a hill in the western part of Chartres, a majestic building rises above the ancient town.
 |
| Chartres Cathedral |
Today it is a functioning temple, where pilgrims from all over the world flock to bow to the tunic of the Virgin Mary. According to legend, it was in this robe that the Mother of God gave birth to Jesus. In honor of Mary, the temple was given the official name of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, or Norte-Dame de Chartres. In 1979, he was duly appreciated by the world community when he was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
 |
| Chartres Cathedral |
Landmark History
According to archaeologists, Chartres Cathedral is at least the fifth temple on the hill, which Christians have chosen since the 4th century, having driven out the Druids from there. In 876, the next temple got the tunic of the Virgin Mary, the main shrine of Chartres to this day. The last cathedral, consecrated in 1260, was remarkably lucky. To begin with, Henry IV of Bourbon, the first king after the departure of the Valois dynasty from the historical stage, raised his status in the eyes of the public. In 1594, he preferred Chartres to the traditional Reims, which lies a little further from Paris, and was crowned here.
 |
| Chartres Cathedral |
During the years of the existence of the Gothic building, Chartres has survived many military conflicts, among the latest - the massive bombing of the Allies, who forced the Germans out of France during the Second World War. The city was badly damaged, but the cathedral not only was not destroyed, but did not even need restoration.