The term Gothic was coined by the Florentine historiographer Giorgio Vasari. The term Gothic means barbaric. Many in the later centuries thought that the Gothic style was dark and hideous. However anybody who has seen a Gothic Cathedral knows this to be untrue. The art of stain glass windows reached its height during this time. With the help of flying buttress stain glass windows became an important part of the cathedral. Using deep hues of red and blue a stain glass transforms the sunlight streaming in and creates an atmosphere of the divine. The north rose window at Chartres Cathedral does just that.
Even before the Gothic Cathedral was built the church was always a site of pilgrimage. The church housed the Sancta Camisa, a tunic that is once said to of belonged to the Virgin.
Chartres Cathedral has under gone several changes throughout history due to the need to rebuild after many fires.
However the current building was built after a fire in June of 1194 destroyed everything but the west towers, façade and crypt.
The immense north rose window and lancets at Chartres Cathedral were a gift from the Queen of France, Blanche of Castile, in 1220.
During the middle ages the Cathedral was used as a market place, with different portals functioning as store fronts. Textiles were sold in the north while vegetables were sold in the south.
The Cathedral still remains a true Gothic Cathedral and was placed on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
