Gothic Cathedrals

Chartres was a sacred site long before the cathedral was built. It had a sacred well which was worshiped at by both Celts and Christians. It became an important Christian site and pilgramage destination with the arrival of an important early relic, the tunic worn by Mary mother of Jesus, when she gave birth.

Building of the current cathedral was started in 1145. A fire destroyed most of it in 1194. Rebuilding started immediately, and after 26 years, it was finished in 1220. Chartres Cathedral is a reference point for French Gothic art. Its vast nave and sparkling 12th and 13th-century stained-glass windows, all still in remarkable condition, make it a worthy representative of high gothic art.

Chartres has a blue and white labyrinth in colored marble built into the floor. It is about 14 meters square. The path in white has a total length of about 260 meters. The Chartres labyrinth is a single path (or unicursal) labyrinth — there is only one path; it is used in both directions. This means that one meets others coming the other direction. When one gets to the center; you are at the half way point.

Just because this labyrinth has no branches does not mean that one can not get lost in it. One must concentrate while walking it, because, if one becomes distracted and accidentally gets on one of the paths on either side, continuing along the wrong path will take you out of the labrynith. The correct path is narrow and just a misstep easy.

Labyrinths fascinated the mediæval mind. This one has been named many things and served pilrgims in many ways. For example, it could be walked as a meditation or for repentance. As a meditation it was a prayer to become closer to God. As repentance a pilgrim would walk the labyrinth on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and as a result some called it the "Chemin de Jerusalem" or Road of Jerusalem.

This is the plan of the Labyrinth at Chartres. Try and walk it with your mouse.