Without doubt, the cathedral at Bourges is one of the biggest and grandest gothic cathedrals in France. Only Beauvais and Amiens cathedrals have higher ceilings. The total surface area of the Bourges cathedral is greater than that of Notre-Dame de Paris (but much smaller than Amiens). The taller front tower at Bourges in only about 15 feet shorter than the bell towers at Notre-Dame de Paris.
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Henry James described the Cathédrale de Bourges as “colossal... stupendous... a leviathan...” James wrote in his 1884 book A Little Tour in France that he found that the interior of the cathedral at Bourges had “a great simplicity and majesty and, above all, a tremendous height. The nave is extraordinary in this respect; it dwarfs everything else I know.... There is a tranquil largeness, a kind of infinitude, about such an edifice; it soothes and purifies the spirit, it illuminates the mind.”
Wow! Mr. James said it all. If he had seen your photos, I’m sure he would have been as emphatic.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting to note that for any reason, Bourges seldom comes to mind when great cathedrals are mentioned, Paris, Amiens, Chartres...and that’s it. I don’t know why it is so. If I’m not mistaken, Bourges has two unique features, the five porches of the west facade and no transept.
Can you imagine to conceptualise and build such a gigantic building with no meter and no computer. They probably used abacuses, but still! Medieval architects were inventive and great thinkers and creators.
DeleteYes, chm I was thinking the same as I read this post. It is an engineering marvel and completed in the 13th (?) century. Took 35 years to complete per the internet and Sagrada Familia has been underway for over 100 years, with modern construction methods available!
DeleteI guess part of the problem for the Sagrada Familia is money. I understand they follow Gaudi’s blueprint.
DeleteThe kind of space that takes your breath away, WOW!
ReplyDeleteAnd, even more amazing to think of all of this and think of when it was constructed!
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