Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges
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The Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges is a cathedral located in Bourges, France.
Key Dates: 1195 AD construction began; 1214 AD choir completed; 1225-1250 AD nave completed. 1270 AD west façade completed
Architects: Unknown
Key Dimensions: 15m wide by 37m high nave; 20m high arcade; 21.3m high inner aisle; 9.3m high outer aisle.
Materials: Cut Stone, Bearing Masonry
Function: Catholic Church
Important Features: This is the first cathedral of the high gothic era. Each Ambulatory has its own portal. The five portal entrance necessitated more careful design to create a more coherent façade. This also eliminated the transept. The gallery has been removed and instead the inner aisle has been raised. This gives the cathedral a pyramidal shape under the buttresses.
Structural System: The use of flying buttresses was employed to help the structure of the building. However, since this was a fairly new technique, one can easily see the walls were still made quite thick to take the force. Six part ribbed vaults are used to hold up the ceiling.
Symbolism: The Great Tower is a copy of one found at the Louvre. It is a symbol of royal power. The status on the façade smile at the tympanum of the Last Judgment, welcoming the Judgment of Christ.
The cathedral was added to the list of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1992.
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