Historical and
Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
CATHEDRAL DE REIMS WIENER, Jacques: France, 1859, Bronze, 59 mm Reims (Rheims) is a city in northeastern France, about 100 miles from Paris. Christianity was established there by middle of the 3rd century. The cathedral at Reims, an example of the high Gothic style of architecture, and the site where the kings of France used to be crowned, replaced an older church (burned in 1211) built on the site of the basilica where Clovis was baptized by St. Remigius. This cathedral was completed by the end of the 13th century, with the exception of the west front. The nave was later lengthened to afford room for the crowds that attended the coronations. In 1481 fire destroyed the roof and spires. The cathedral is majestic in all its parts. The facade was one of the most perfect masterpieces of the middle ages. The three portals are laden with numerous statues and statuettes and the exterior is adorned with exquisite sculpture. The central portal, dedicated to the Virgin, was surmounted by a rose window framed in an arch which itself was decorated with statuary. The rose window, the statue of the smiling angel, and the still more famous "Beau Dieu" statue were all severely damaged in World War I. Photo of interior after bombardment Coronation procession of Louis XV by Pierre-Denis Martin
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