WIENER, Jacques: France, 1861, Bronze, 59 mm
Obv: Exterior view of cathedral CATHEDRALE DE CHARTRES
Rev: Interior view of the nave
Exergue: COMMENCÉE VERS 1040 INAUGURÉE 1260. J.WIENER
Signed: J. WIENER 1861
Ref: Van Hoydonck 184

The Cathedral of Chartres (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres), located in the town of Chartres, about 50 miles from Paris, is considered to be one of the finest examples in all France of the Gothic style of architecture. Construction of the building on Romanesque foundations was begun in 1145, but a fire in 1194 destroyed all but the west front of the cathedral along with much of the town. The body of the cathedral was rebuilt and was dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX and his family in 1260. The outstanding features of the building are the magnificent stained glass windows. Dating from the early 13th century, the glass largely escaped harm during the religious wars of the 16th century and it is said to constitute one of the most complete collections of medieval stained glass in the world.

Soon after it was built, the cathedral became the most important building in the town of Chartres. It was the center of the economy, the most famous landmark and the center of almost every activity which is provided by civic buildings in towns today. In the Middle Ages, the cathedral functioned sometimes as a marketplace, with the different portals of the basilica selling different items. It also functioned as an important cathedral school, a practice initiated by Charlemagne in the ninth century as a system to educate the French people.

LINK to Painting of Chartres Cathedral by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot(from abc gallery)

LINK to History of Chartres Cathedral (from wikipedia)