La
Sainte-Chapelle
Metro : Cité,
Châtelet, Saint-Michel.
Saint-Chapelle, hidden right in
the heart of medieval Paris on the Ile de la Cité, is a must-see
for lovers of medieval history. Built at the behest of the king
Saint-Louis between 1241 and 1248, its intended function was to be a
magnificent showcase for the relics of Christ collected by the king,
the most famous of which being the crown of thorns. The crown cost the
king a fortune, (staggeringly) two times the cost of the church’s
construction, the incredible relic being one of the most fascinating in
the eyes of Christians. Architectural proof of the Saint-Chapelle’s
importance can be found in its dimensions. Despite being relatively
tiny in length and width it is equal in height to a great number of
cathedrals. The interior of Sainte-Chapelle’s upper chapel is notable
amongst other religious edifices for it’s lightness, the chapel
seemingly bathed in light from the 15 near floor-to-ceiling stained
glass windows which surround it. To merely stand in the upper chapel on
a sunny day is an experience in itself. Like so many other Parisian
treasures, those of the Saint-Chapelle were devastated during the
French Revolution, most of the relics are today lost. The church itself
suffered great damage and its organ was transferred to the Parisian
church Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois. It wasn’t until 1846, after a
considerable amount of restoration work, that the Sainte-Chapelle
reclaimed its former glory.
Absolutely not the same place than Studio
Marais , rue du Bourg-Tibourg,
Completely the other side of Paris from
Studio Sicile , rue du Roi de Sicile.