Bourges has claim to the first French Gothic cathedral built south of the Loire River, says the Cadogan Loire guidebook, adding that Bourge's cathedral, dedicated to saint Étienne, is "just as large and grand" as Notre-Dame de Paris. Construction of Saint-Étienne cathdral began in the year 1195 and the cathedral was consacrated in 1324. Comparing Saint-Étienne to the cathdral at Chartres, the Cadogan says the two buildings "spectacularly demonstrate the engineering and visual possibilities of the flying buttress, which allow for much glass, and hence light, for the interior."
Actually, the photos of the interior of Saint-Étienne that I took in June 2008 were so dark as to be unrecognizable. Yesterday, I was able to brighten and contrast them using Photoshop (my skills have improved) to produce the images you see here.
Glad your photoshopping has improved so that we can enjoy this beautiful cathedral today.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent!
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
Wow, great job with Photoshop!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Looking at the construction and completion dates, people lived their entire lives without seeing the cathedral finished. The builders had a vision and stuck to it.
ReplyDeleteThis cathedral, one of the major cathedrals in France, has two interesting features: no transept and five porches in the east facade.
Deletethe west façade
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