The emblematic Sainte-Chapelle, also known as the Sainte-Chapelle du Palais, is a church built in the 13th century. King Louis IX ordered the construction of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture in the heart of Paris.
This Chapel houses the Holy Relics of the Passion of Christ, consisting of the Holy Crown of Thorns attached to the head of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion; one of the torture nails used during the crucifixion of Christ, as well as a piece of the Holy Cross, purchased from Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople, King of Israel, in 1241.
Saint-Louis recovered several religious treasures in the Holy Land. He was the last sovereign to lead a crusade to recover Jerusalem. Paris became the world’s second capital of Christianity after purchasing the holy relics for 135,000 livres tournois.
The shrine kept none of the three relics. They were transferred in 1801 and remain in the Treasury of the Church of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Sainte-Chapelle Church, comprising two chapels, is admired for the beauty of its stained glass windows, a veritable “glass cathedral”.
– The 618 m2 glass Upper Chapel is dedicated to the King and his family. The upper chapel has 15 glass windows. They are around 15 meters high and 4.5 meters wide. The stained glass windows depict the 1113 scenes from the Bible, including Adam and Eve. Some of these scenes also depict Saint Louis.
– The lower chapel is dedicated to civil servants and Palace officials. At 6.60 meters high, its less luminous atmosphere and proportions are reminiscent of a crypt.
Rose window is an astonishing stained glass window in the Gothic style. Its name comes from the flame effects used in the glass. It dates from the 15th century, and not the 13th century like other stained glass windows. It has 87 petals.