What makes the Amiens Cathedral special?
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 sculptures can be found on the exterior of Amiens Cathedral?
The facade has three deep porches with pointed arches, covering the three portals. Above the portals are two galleries; the upper is the Gallery of Kings, with twenty-two life-size statues of the Kings of France. Nearly all of the statues date to the restoration by Viollet-le-Duc.
What material is the Amiens cathedral made of?
Masonry structure
Project Type
| Structure: | Rib vault |
|---|---|
| Function / usage: | Cathedral |
| Material: | Masonry structure |
| Architectural style: | Gothic |
Why was the Amiens Cathedral so important?
The cathedral at Amiens was the site of several noteworthy events, including the marriage of Charles VI to Isabella of Bavaria in 1385. Despite heavy fighting around Amiens during World Wars I and II, the cathedral escaped serious damage. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.
Did Amiens cathedral collapse?
Amiens Cathedral almost collapsed in the 16th century, like the unfortunate Beauvais Cathedral in 1284. In 1498, the master-builder Pierre Tarisel noticed that the building was about to collapse. Therefore he immediately began work on strengthening the flying buttresses of the nave and transept.
What critical error did the builders of Amiens make when buttressing the walls of the cathedral?
The original builders placed the buttresses too high, and over time the excessive forces caused the arcs of the buttresses to buckle. The massive structure was in danger of collapsing.
What characteristics did the architecture from the Gothic period process?
While the Gothic style can vary according to location, age, and type of building, it is often characterized by 5 key architectural elements: large stained glass windows, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and ornate decoration.
How old is the Amiens Cathedral?
751c. 1270
Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens/Age
Who built the Amiens Cathedral in France?
Robert of Luzarches
Thomas de CormontRenaud de CormontPierre Tarisel
Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens/Architects
What is the problem at Amiens Cathedral?
The original builders placed the buttresses too high, and over time the excessive forces caused the arcs of the buttresses to buckle. The massive structure was in danger of collapsing. Generations of churchgoers were lucky, but it was clear that that luck would one day run out.
What happened to the cathedral at Beauvais and Amiens?
In 1284, only twelve years after completion, part of the choir vault collapsed, along with a few flying buttresses. It is now believed that the collapse was caused by resonant vibrations due to high winds.
What is happening to the structure of Amiens Cathedral?
The Building of Amiens Cathedral A fire totally destroyed the Romanesque cathedral of Amiens in 1218. Construction of a Gothic replacement started in 1220 with the western façade and the nave, rather than the choir as was more common in the Middle Ages.
How tall is the Cathedral of Amiens in France?
Medieval cathedral builders were trying to maximize the internal dimensions in order to reach for the heavens and bring in more light. In that regard, the Amiens cathedral is the tallest complete cathedral in France, its stone-vaulted nave reaching an internal height of 42.30 metres (138.8 ft)…
Who was the Bishop of Amiens when it was built?
Salvius, bishop of Amiens around 600, is credited with building this cathedral, but his Life is of very dubious accuracy. A fire destroyed the two churches and much of the town, and a Romanesque cathedral was built to replace it between 1137 and 1152.
Why was the stained glass removed from Amiens Cathedral?
Viollet-le-Duc worked almost continually on the Cathedral until 1874. The stained glass windows of the church were removed to protect them during both the First and Second World War, and the church suffered only minor damage.
Where is the Baroque sanctuary in Amiens Cathedral?
At the far end of the center aisle is the Baroque sanctuary, guarded by an ornate grill-work, with a magnificent altar that reminds me of a sunburst. This area is not public. The Baroque sanctuary is behind this grill-work.