What does the maze at Amiens Cathedral represent?
The maze represents a long pilgrimage. Amiens Cathedral took 68 years to complete, an amazing feat for the time. The various parts of the sculptures decorating the Cathedral were made in many different workshops. The idea of distributing work that way was unheard of at the time.
What is Amiens Cathedral best known for?
Besides its impressive size, Amiens cathedral is well known for its medieval wall paintings inside and the truly spectacular Gothic sculptures that adorn its western façade. During the day visitors can see the excellently well preserved Renaissance polychrome wall paintings and sculptures inside the church.
What Gothic architectural elements are shown on the facade of Amiens Cathedral?
The three rose windows each represent a different period of the cathedral’s construction. The rose window on the west facade is the oldest, from 1221–1230, from the High Gothic period, and represents Christ surrounded by the symbolic figures of the Apocalypse.
Is Amiens Cathedral the same as Notre Dame?
Amiens Cathedral, also called Notre-Dame d’Amiens or the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Amiens, Gothic cathedral located in the historic city of Amiens, France, in the Somme River valley north of Paris.
What makes the Amiens Cathedral Gothic?
Amiens Cathedral, in the heart of Picardy, is one of the largest ‘classic’ Gothic churches of the 13th century. It is notable for the coherence of its plan, the beauty of its three-tier interior elevation and the particularly fine display of sculptures on the principal facade and in the south transept.
What were cathedral roofs made of?
The roof structure of Chartres cathedral is one of the oldest iron structures in France. It was built in 1837 by architect Emile Martin and locksmith Mignon. The structure was made combining wrought iron and cast iron. The principal curved beams rising to meet at a point, are cast iron.
Why were cathedrals built with such high ceilings?
Just as temples in multiple ancient cultures were thought to be the house of the gods and the cult statue an actual embodiment of that god. The ceilings of Catholic churches are also of particular interest to me as I believe they play a significant role in emphasizing the necessity of the church in connecting to God.