Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel), Paris (must see)

The crown jewel of Gothic architecture in Paris, the Holy Chapel, is located in close proximity to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Aged almost 800 years, the remarkable structure is renowned for its stained glass and most notably the 15th-century rose windows in the upper portion, widely regarded as the finest of their kind in the world. These and other things render this church outstanding, even among the most extraordinary medieval monuments of Paris.

Originally commissioned by King Louis IX, an exceptional figure who led the 7th and 8th Crusades to the Holy Land and returned with a multitude of treasures, including the Crown of Thorns purportedly worn by Jesus himself, the Holy Chapel was initially intended to serve as a depository for this priceless relic. However, it was also designed to function as the palace chapel for the king and the royal family, embodying the intersection of religious and secular power in medieval France.

Over the centuries, Sainte-Chapelle had sustained numerous damages. Frequently beset by floods and fires, it suffered especially during the French Revolution, when its sculptures were intentionally destroyed and furnishings were pillaged. Ultimately, to rectify the damage, extensive renovation work was required in the 19th century, entailing skilled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. The result of this laborious process is truly commendable, and the chapel we observe today is as much a 19th-century masterpiece as it is a medieval one. Miraculously, roughly two-thirds of the original stained glass has survived. It is particularly striking on sunny days, but even on overcast days, the glass is absolutely fabulous.

Like many other religious edifices of its time, the Sainte-Chapelle symbolized Jerusalem and was intended to invoke a vision of paradise on Earth for the saved at the Last Judgment. In keeping with this vision, a cedarwood spire was placed atop the building, a technical marvel at the time, which also captured the spiky essence of Gothic design to stunning artistic effect. The chapel is remarkably simple and harmonious in comparison to other cathedrals and churches of its era, and represents medieval Gothic architecture in its purest form. In contrast to its apparent architectural simplicity, on the inside, the chapel boasts rich decoration in the upper portion, with its gilding and coloration creating a dazzling visual display.