Notre Dame d'Amiens Cathedral, in the Somme department, is a Catholic building dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its construction, begun in 1220 under the direction of architect Robert de Luzarches, is part of a period of prosperity for Amiens, marked by the trade of drapery and guede. The building is contemporary of the cathedrals of Reims, Bourges and Beauvais, and embodies the archetype of the classical Gothic style for the nave and the Gothic style for the choir. Its rapid elevation, completed in 1288, gives it a large architectural unit, rare for medieval cathedrals.
The cathedral was built to accommodate pilgrims attracted by the relic of Saint John the Baptist, reported in 1206 by the canon Wallon of Sarton. This relic, the object of a major pilgrimage to the North of France, helped finance the project. The nave, completed in 1236, was followed by the choir, the transept and the towers, whose upper parts were completed in the fourteenth century. The arrow, built in 1288, was destroyed by lightning in 1528 and rebuilt in 1533. The cathedral underwent major restorations in the 18th and 19th centuries, notably under the direction of Eugene Viollet-le-Duc.
Ranked a historic monument in 1862 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Amiens Cathedral is renowned for its Gothic sculptures, 16th century stalls, and octagonal maze. She also played a central role in historical events, such as the Dit d'Amiens in 1264, where Saint Louis rendered an arbitration in favour of King Henry III of England. During World War I, the cathedral was protected by formwork and escaped shelling.
The interior of the cathedral is remarkable for its choir surrounded by carved wooden stalls, its 18th century baroque décor, and its stained glass windows, although many have been destroyed or dispersed over the centuries. The western facade, with its three richly carved portals, illustrates biblical scenes such as the Last Judgment and the life of the Virgin. The cathedral also houses important relics, including that of Saint John the Baptist, and a treasure composed of liturgical objects and medieval goldsmithy.
The impressive dimensions of the cathedral, with a length of 145 metres and a vaulted height of 42.30 metres, make it a symbol of medieval architectural ingenuity. Its Latin cross plan, its double-flyed bow-buttons, and its rosacea, including that of the western facade, were reborn in the 16th century, attest to the evolution of Gothic construction techniques. The cathedral remains an active place of worship and a major tourist site, attracting visitors for its exceptional artistic and historical heritage.
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Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the 71 monuments and 7 portions of paths have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998 under the official title of "Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France".
It was at the edge of one of the 4 classic tracks (Via Turonensis, Via Lemovicensis, Via Podiensis and Via Tolosana). The pilgrims therefore had to make a detour to visit it.
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