World Heritage Photos

Bourges Cathedral: The Cathedral of Saint-Étienne de Bourges is situated in Bourges, a large city just outside the Loire Valley. A Romanesque cathedral was built in Bourges in the 11th century. A century later, the cathedral was rebuilt into a Gothic cathedral, the present Cathedral of Saint-Étienne de Bourges. The cathedral is the broadest of all Gothic cathedrals in France. The main construction phase was roughly in the same period as Chartres Cathedral. The Bourges Cathedral has no transepts, which forms the cross-shape of the most Christian churches, it has five naves. Each of the naves has its own sculpted portal on the west façade. The Notre-Dame in Paris has also five naves, but only three portals on its façade. The north tower of the Bourges Cathedral fell down in 1506, it was rebuilt in 1542 and is known as the 'Tour de Beurre' (Butter Tower). The south tower of the Bourges Cathedral had structural problems and has never been able to carry church bells, it is a so called 'deaf tower'. The Bourges Cathedral stands on the site of a 3th century pilgrimage church. The present cathedral is also a pilgrimage destination and one of the many monuments on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Bourges Cathedral gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1992.

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   Bourges Cathedral: Some of the most beautiful gargoyles of the cathedral. The gargoyles were intended to protect the cathedral from evil spirits. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Stephen. The cathedral is notable for its harmonious design, the quality of the sculptures and above all the stained glass windows. Bourges Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1992.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The five portals on the west façade. The cathedral has no transepts, which forms the cross-shape of most Christian churches. Bourges Cathedral has five naves, this form gives the cathedral a unique appearance, both inside and outside. Each of the naves has its own portal on the west façade. The Last Judgement Portal (central portal) was sculpted in the 1240s.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The tympanum above the central west portal depicts the Last Judgment, the portal is also known as the Royal Portal, it is the largest of the five portals. On the pillar between the doors is the statue of Christ the Teacher standing on a lion and a dragon. Bourges Cathedral is the widest of all Gothic cathedrals in France, it is located in the historic town of Bourges.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The rose window of the West Façade is called the 'Grand Housteau'. Bourges Cathedral is famous for its 13th century stained glass windows. The main phase of construction of Bourges Cathedral is roughly in the same period as Chartres Cathedral. Bourges Cathedral is a pilgrimage destination. It was built on the site of a 3th century place of worship.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The interior is illuminated by 13th century stained glass windows. Bourges Cathedral retains almost all its original stained glass windows, dating around 1215. Most of the people during the Middle Ages could not read, stained glass windows, paintings and statues did illustrate the Bible stories and helped people to understand the Bible.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The stained glass windows of the Gothic cathedral belong to the finest and most extensive collections of stained glass in France. In Bourges Cathedral there are 183 stained glass windows, almost all of them dating from the early 13th century. The most famous window shows the Annunciation, situated in the Chapel of Jacques Coeur, a benefactor of the cathedral. 

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   Bourges Cathedral: The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic art. The cathedral is renowned for the 'lux continua' style, the continuous unbroken stream of light, the 13th century stained glass windows illuminates the cathedral by this continuous unbroken stream of light. The cathedral was built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century and was later rebuilt in the Gothic style.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The north portal has still its original oak doors, carved in the 15th century. The tympanum depicts: at the centre framed by two adoring angels, the Virgin and Jesus, to the right hand the Annunciation and Visitation, to the left hand the Adoration of the Wise Men. The columns are decorated with female figures, probably queens from the Old Testament.

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   Bourges Cathedral: The north tower collapsed in 1506 and was rebuilt in 1542. The tower is also known as the Butter Tower, because it was built with money that people paid for indulgences to eat butter during Lent. It was against the rules of the Catholic Church to consume milk products during Lent. Rouen Cathedral has a similar Butter Tower.

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    Bourges Cathedral: The central nave rises up to an amazing height. In the nave is a huge wheel chandelier hanging down from the vaulted ceiling. The intense colours of the medieval stained glass windows, dominated by dark green, red and blue, gives Bourges Cathedral a brilliant and dazzling glow. Bourges Cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.