Bourges Cathedral
Dedicated to Saint Stephen, Bourges Cathedral is a magnificent early Gothic cathedral located near the Loire Valley, France. It was built in record time - between the late 12th and late 13th centuries by architect Paul-Louis Boeswillwald and the master builder Philippe Berruyer. Bourges Cathedral was added to UNESCO world heritage site list in 1992.
With its unique feats of architecture, impressive sculptures and glorious 13th-century stained glass windows, the Cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art. The tympanum, sculptures and stained-glass windows are particularly striking. Apart from the beauty of the architecture, it attests to the power of Christianity in medieval France.
Its magnificent chevet resembles the one at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris with double flying buttresses creating an overall pyramid-shaped elevation. It is however, also its splendid windows that like those at Chartres make this cathedral famous.The architectural style chosen by the unknown Master-builder is based on a plan with no transept and plastic effects of great modernity for their time. The Cathedral is still surrounded by the half-timbered houses of the medieval town. For more information please click here.
