Basilica of st denis

The cathedral of Saint Denis is mostly a house for French kings to rest in peace. Few people think of visiting this first example of gothic art built on the spot where King Dagobert was buried in 639, even though it is only a twenty minute metro ride from the Madeleine. In June, its sacred music festival is a must. ... Read More

Basilica in Saint-Denis, north of Paris

Sunshine and light spots playing on the stained glass windows in the choir of the cathedral . The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis (Basilique Saint-Denis, previously the Abbaye de Saint-Denis) is a large abbey church in the commune of Saint-Denis, now a northern suburb of Paris. The building is of unique importance historically and architecturally.

Lately I’ve been re-reading The Cathedral Builders, written by Jean Gimpel, a man of diverse interests born in Paris in 1918. During World War II he was…

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis was built in 1144 in Paris, France. This is an artists drawing of the cathedral in 1844 before the tallest tower had been dismantled. It's considered to be the first medieval Gothic cathedrals built. It has a Gothic Rose window above the north tympanum and arched windows that are icons of the architectures time period.

Porte des Valois, built in the 12th century and remounted at the far end of the northern arm of the transept in the 13th century by Abbot Suger. The 6 statues set in the embrrasures and the 30 figures of the arching probably represent Old Testament kings. The lintel with its tympanum depicts the martyrdom of Saint Denis, Saint Eleutherus and Saint Rusticus. (St Denis is depicted holding his severed head).

Ground plan of chevet, St. Denis. Paris. 1140-44 #architecture #gothic

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is the earliest known example of Gothic architecture and provided a model for ecclesiastical structures throughout the Middle Ages.