Sainte Chapelle, Paris

Sainte Chapelle or Holy Chapel was built as a Royal chapel in the medieval residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century, in the Palais de la Cite.  Sainte-Chapelle was commissioned by King Louis the IX to house his collection of Passion relics including Christ’s Crown of Thorns, which is now normally kept in Notre Dame Cathedral.  

Sainte-Chapelle was consecrated in 1248 and is one of the earliest surviving medieval buildings in Paris.  The chapel contains one of the most extensive collections of medieval stained glass anywhere in the world. 

The middle ages loved its pomp and ceremony. King Louis IX purchased most of his medieval relic collection from Baldwin II, the Emperor of Constantinople.  The relics arrived in Paris in 1239, carried from Venice by Dominican Friars.  King Louis then hosted a week-long celebration to celebrate the arrival of the relics.  On the final stage of their journey, the King carried the relics himself whilst walking barefoot.

King Louis IX paid 135,000 livres for the relics; he then housed them in a silver chest costing 100,000 livres, while the entire chapel of Sainte-Chapelle cost him 40,000 livres to build.  

Sainte-Chapelle is split into two levels, the bottom level was for the use of the Royal household while the top level was reserved for members of the Royal family. 

The stained glass windows are the dominant feature of the chapel however every inch of the wall surfaces are also coved in rich paintwork.  Analysis of paint fragments has shown that the colors were originally brighter than those we see today, which were favored during the 19th century restoration. 

The stained glass windows date from the mid-13th century, with the rose window dating from the late 15th.  The windows feature scenes from the Old and New Testament.  Two-thirds of the glass is original while the rest was replaced during the 19th century restorations. 

Sainte-Chapelle is located on Île de la Cité, the small island in the middle of the Seine not far from Notre Dame Cathedral and contains over 1,000 stained glass panels. 

The upper chapel contains the amazing walls of Gothic glass. The medieval engineering that created this 13th century Gothic building had never been done before.  The upper chapel is a medieval masterpiece that images cannot do justice too.  It is one of the greatest achievements in Gothic art and architecture in France.

During the French Revolution much of the interior of the chapel was destroyed, this included the rood screen, and stalls.  Many of the reliquaries were melted down or destroyed.  Only the Crown of Thorns was saved from destruction.