The Cathedral of Saint Peter of Beauvais in France is more than two times older than the United States of America. When construction first began on this glorious building, William Shakespeare was still hundreds of years away, the Magna Carta was less than 10 years old, and Thomas Aquinas had just been born.
In a race to build the highest-vaulted cathedral in all of Europe, the stonemasons of Beauvais worked their hardest to create the 157-foot structure in as little time as possible. Unfortunately, their work was interrupted when, in 1284, much of the roof collapsed in on itself.
Though it was a huge setback, the huge Gothic design continued. Around the mid-1500s, the stonemasons of the time worked to build a 500-foot tower but had to stop work again due to the Hundred Years War.
Construction of this whole project officially began in 1225 and has yet to be deemed "finished." It's certainly a work in progress! However, if you see below, it's understandable why this art piece took so long to create, with the richness of the facades on every side and the masterpiece designs within its wood, stone, and glass. This church is a perfect example of the transitionary stage between Gothic and Renaissance style.
The church has been called "the Parthenon of French Gothic," and one can clearly see why.
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As you walk through the quaint town of Beauvais, you notice a rather large cathedral...
Naturally you're interested... You decide to walk around the giant 800-year-old building.
When you reach its facade, you stop.
You walk up the stairs, worn down by centuries of foot-traffic every Sunday. You're wary as you approach the open door.
Before you walk in, you see that even the door is intricately designed... The hand that did this was truly a master.
Enter!!! Open the door and check out the inside on the next page!
When you walk in your eyes take a second to adjust to the darkness...
When they finally focus...you're awe-struck.
You crane your neck, astounded at the soaring roof. "How did they do this 800 years ago?" you ask yourself.
As you walk in the cool, dark sanctuary, you hear the echoes of your every footstep. You stop when you see...
...amazing shades of blue, red, yellow, and green. The stained glass takes your breath away.
You'll find more stained glass in spectacular formations on the next page!
Some of these shades of blue can't even be reproduced anymore... Incredible.
Christ returning. The red is so deep and beautiful!
Gorgeous...
The sunlight is shining through, throwing the windows' colors all over the floor.
As the sun begins to set behind the stained glass, you hear an odd chiming sound echoing throughout the old cathedral...
A golden clock?!
Check out the 150 year old astronomical clock on the next page!
The Beauvais astronomical clock was finished in 1868 by clockmaker Lucien Auguste Vérité.
It took him two years to make...and for good reason. It has 52 dials that track the rising and setting of the sun and the moon...
...as well as the position of planets, the current time in 18 different cities around the world, and the ocean tides.
Oh! It tells the current time as well! A beautifully designed and decorated 24-hour clock.
Jesus, surrounded by his 12 disciples. This truly is a masterpiece!
Hope you enjoyed your trip to Beauvais!
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