Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres, Research Paper Example

Chartres cathedral, also known as Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres, is located in Chartres, France, from which it gets its name.  It has a Gothic style, and is considered to be an early example of the form.  Physical properties, formal elements.  Two spires rise on its western side.  It has flying buttresses, which help to strengthen the walls of the large structure, even allowing for rose windows, even bigger than had been previously achievable.

The cathedral features a region and time enamored in the middle ages of Europe. Being a church, it has  a specific function and ritual associated with it.  During the middle ages, Catholic churches were often the focal point of societies.  Chartres was no exception.  It was an economic, political, and religious center for the entire area.  From its conception, to this very day, there have continued to be religious pilgrimages to the cathedral.

Composition, subject matter, and iconography are prominent aspects of this church.  The chapel is adorned with statues of saints as well as ornamental patterns that permeate the framework of its structure.  Within, the floor is decorated with spiral patterns of gold that form intricate labyrinth designs.  Chartres has been damaged throughout the years by wars and social upheavals, including the French Revolution and the World years.  Its structure continues to be maintained, and it is considered to be intact to mostly its original state.  Restorations on the church continue to this day, and the amount of people visiting only serve to help this fact.

Works Cited

Chartres Cathedral. ChartresCathedral.net, 2008. Web. 24 July 2014.