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Why
Sainte-Chapelle
is special
It has the world's most spectacular display of stained glass windows.
Why it was created
King Louis IX built Sainte-Chapelle (means "Holy Chapel" in French) to hold what he considered to be Christ's Crown of Thorns and a fragment of his cross. The holy relics are no longer in residence, but the nearly 800-year-old stained glass windows are. In certain threatening times, they were removed and stored safely.
Two chapels
Sainte-Chapelle are two chapels, one superimposed over the other. The upper one is by far the most interesting.
Famous stained-
glass windows
The upper chapel has the tall, stunning windows that are Sainte-Chapelle's chief attraction.
The
15 windows are as tall as a 5-story modern building - and cover most of
the wall space.
The
elaborate stained-glass artwork relates the complete Biblical story, told in
over a thousand scenes.
The
windows are best appreciated on bright sunny days - and at dusk while attending
a candlelit concert.
Convenient location
Sainte-Chapelle is near the Notre Dame Cathedral, so both can easily be visited on the same day.
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