The Chartres Cathedral just south of Paris is one of the greatest of all French Gothic cathedrals. Construction began in 1145 but pilgrimages to the site began as far back as 876 to pay homage to a relic, a tunic believed to have belonged to the the Virgin Mary, the Sancta Camisa. The cathedral is recognizable for its two starkly different spires. For more information, photos, and diagram, go to Wikipedia. For LOTS more maps, photos, diagrams, floorplans, etc. go to this Image Collection.
Unique to the Chartres Cathedral is a 43-foot labyrinth on the floor built around 1200--one of the oldest cathedral labyrinths still in existence. The eleven-circuit design is divided into four quadrants with a rosette center. One must walk the labyrinth several times to finally reach the center. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims walked the labyrinth as part of a spiritual journey. If you'd like to see the path of the labyrinth, go to this site. Turn on some easy listening music and sit back and relax as you watch the little green dot make its spiritual journey as you dream of France. There's a lovely surprise when it reaches the center. (Requires Shockwave Flash)
Impatient? Go to this labyrinth site and get the quicky route to the center in the top diagram! Scroll down about halfway and see an actual photo of the labyrinth in the cathedal.
Unique to the Chartres Cathedral is a 43-foot labyrinth on the floor built around 1200--one of the oldest cathedral labyrinths still in existence. The eleven-circuit design is divided into four quadrants with a rosette center. One must walk the labyrinth several times to finally reach the center. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims walked the labyrinth as part of a spiritual journey. If you'd like to see the path of the labyrinth, go to this site. Turn on some easy listening music and sit back and relax as you watch the little green dot make its spiritual journey as you dream of France. There's a lovely surprise when it reaches the center. (Requires Shockwave Flash)
Impatient? Go to this labyrinth site and get the quicky route to the center in the top diagram! Scroll down about halfway and see an actual photo of the labyrinth in the cathedal.
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