Orléans
Cathedral
In Orléans, to the east of the Place du Martroi is the massive Cathedral
of Ste-Croix, on the site of an earlier 10th C. church, part of the
foundations of which have been preserved. The building of the cathedral
began in 1278 but was several times interrupted and continued into the
16th C. It was badly damaged during the 16th C. wars of religion but was
rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries on the model of earlier Gothic
churches. The west front, flanked by twin towers, has five doorways and
much Baroque decoration. The towers themselves are over 81 m/266ft high
and are the work of the architect Trouard, although the original plans
were drawn up by J. Gabriel. The central spire is 114 m/374ft high and was
built in 1858.
The sheer size of the interior (136 m/446ft long) leaves a lasting
impression. The nine chapels behind the high altar date from the late 13th
C., and the outer walls of the two side aisles and those of the choir are
14th C. Other notable features are the fine 17th C. organ and the
beautiful early eighth C. carved woodwork in the choir. In the crypt
traces of three earlier churches can be seen, dating partly from the
fourth C. and partly from the 10th/11th C. Also of interest is the church
treasure, which includes Byzantine fabrics and enamelwork, together with
Limoges work.
europe, map of europe, travel
europe, 89 europe, europe tour, eastern europe, flight to europe, great britain
europe, europe cruise, europe vacation, history of europe, travel europe france, map
of western europe, britain europe general great, cheap flight to europe, europe
car rental, europe news, wow europe, rail europe, map of eastern europe, western
europe, europe trip, europe travel guide, backpacking europe, europe
hotel, central europe, europe germany, europe travel package, nfl europe, eastern
europe travel, europe ireland, europe train, cheap travel europe, blank map of
europe, europe river cruise, europe airfare, ski europe, cheap airfare to
europe, europe country, country in europe, holiday, visit europe, europe france, europe
atlas, union europe, europe beach, cheap ticket to europe, united kingdom and
europe,