Façade of the Cathedral (February 2005). The North Tower is in different color due to the restoration work.

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul (French: Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes), commonly called the Cathedral of Nantes, is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Nantes, France. The construction of the cathedral began in 1434, on the site of a Romanesque cathedral, and took 457 years to finish, finally reaching completion in 1891. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 969 KB) The facade of the gothic cathedral of Nantes, France, in the winter of 2005. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 969 KB) The facade of the gothic cathedral of Nantes, France, in the winter of 2005. ... Saint Peter, also known as Simon ben Jonah/BarJonah, Simon Peter, Cephas and Kepha — original name Simon or Simeon (Acts 15:14) — was one of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus chose as his original disciples. ... Paul of Tarsus (b. ... Traditional city flag City coat of arms Motto: (Latin: Shall Neptune favour the traveller) Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Département Loire-Atlantique (44) Région Pays-de-la-Loire Mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault (PS) (since 1989) Intercommunality Urban Community of Nantes City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 65. ... Königsberg Cathedral Gothic architecture is a style of architecture, particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, which flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ... A cathedral is a religious building for worship, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Roman Catholic, Anglican and some Lutheran churches, which serves as a bishops seat, and thus as the central church of a diocese. ... Events May 30, Battle of Lipany in the Hussite Wars Jan van Eyck paints the wedding of Giovanni Arnoflini The Honorable Passing of Arms at the bridge of Obrigo The Portuguese reach Cape Bojador in Western Sahara. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Background

The reconstruction of the cathedral commenced during the early to mid 15th century during a time when Nantes and Brittany were commercially prosperous, initiating such large-scale architectural projects on a wide scale, partly owing to the opportunist and skilful diplomatic policy of Jean V in a period of political turmoil and conflict with England. (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Brittany has an expansive coastline Flag of Brittany (Gwenn-ha-du) Historical province of Brittany région of Bretagne, see Bretagne. ... John VI (in French Jean VI) (December 24, 1389 – August 29, 1442), known as the Wise, was duke of Brittany, from 1399 to his death. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right)1 Capital Winchester, then London from 11th century. ...

History

Cathedral of Nantes, exterior view from the side of the Choir

The cathedral's foundation stone was laid on 14 April 1434 by Jean, duke of Brittany and Jean de Malestroit, Bishop of Nantes (1417-1443). The first architect in charge was Guillaume de Dammartin who was later replaced by Mathurin Rodier. The construction began with the west façade, the aisles of the nave and its lateral chapels.^[1] April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105 in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... Events May 30, Battle of Lipany in the Hussite Wars Jan van Eyck paints the wedding of Giovanni Arnoflini The Honorable Passing of Arms at the bridge of Obrigo The Portuguese reach Cape Bojador in Western Sahara. ... John VI (in French Jean VI) (December 24, 1389 – August 29, 1442), known as the Wise, was duke of Brittany, from 1399 to his death. ... Events Antipope Benedict XIII is deposed, and Pope Martin V is elected. ... Events Albanians, under Skanderbeg, defeat the Turks John Hunyadi defeats Turks at the Battle of Nis Vlad II Dracul begins his second term as ruler of Wallachia, succeeding Basarab II. Births January 27 - Albert, Duke of Saxony (died 1500) February 23 - Matthias Corvinus of Hungary (died 1490) May 17 - Edmund... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... West façade of the Notre-Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral A facade (or façade) is the exterior of a building – especially the front, but also sometimes the sides and rear. ... In a modern church an aisle is a row down the middle of the church with a set of pews on each side. ... Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... A chapel is a private church, usually small and often attached to a larger institution such as a college, a hospital, a palace, or a prison. ...

Leniaud et al.^[2] divide the building process in five phases. The first phase took place between c.1434 and c.1470. In this period the west façade and the tower bay were built, as were the south aisle of the nave with its chapels, and the south arcade pillars. The bases of those pillars resemble the ones of the choir of Mont-Saint-Michel, which was begun after 1444. The arms of Duke Jean, who died in 1442, were placed in the staircase to the balcony, above the ducal portal, on the south side of the southern tower bay. The vaults in the belfry of that tower were decorated with the arms of Bishop Guillaume de Malestroit (1443-1462). The triforium of the tower bay was constructed in an earlier and different style (Flamboyant, with a network of reticulated tracery) than the one of the nave proper. Bronze decoration of the central portal's doors was undertaken in 1482. Events May 15 - Charles VIII of Sweden who had served three terms as King of Sweden dies. ... The Eiffel Tower Fire-observation watchtower in Kostroma, Russia. ... The Cleveland Arcade in downtown Cleveland (late 1960s) An arcade is a passage or walkway covered over by a succession of arches or vaults supported by columns, or else it is a covered passage fronted by a series of arches. ... Deconstructing a Roman pillar. ... The choir stalls in the quire of Bristol Cathedral, Bristol, England A quire is the area of a church where the liturgical singers sit, also known as the choir located usually in the western part of the chancel (between the nave and the altar), but occasionally in the eastern part... Mont-Saint-Michel: Sheep graze on the reclaimed pré-salé or salt meadow (2004). ... Events March 2 - Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg proclaimed commander of the Albanian resistance April 16 - Truce of Tours. ... Events The community of Rauma, Finland was granted its town rights. ... The Lierne vault of the Liebfrauenkirche, Mühlacker 1482. ... The term Belfry has a variety of uses: For the architectural term see:Belfry (architecture) For the U.S. town in Montana see Belfry, Montana For the English golf club see The De Vere Belfry There is also a German Epic Metal band called Belfry. ... This article is about a title or office in religious bodies. ... Events Albanians, under Skanderbeg, defeat the Turks John Hunyadi defeats Turks at the Battle of Nis Vlad II Dracul begins his second term as ruler of Wallachia, succeeding Basarab II. Births January 27 - Albert, Duke of Saxony (died 1500) February 23 - Matthias Corvinus of Hungary (died 1490) May 17 - Edmund... Events Settlers from Portugal begin to settle the Cape Verde islands. ... Triforium is an architectural term. ... Flamboyant is the name given to a florid style of architecture in vogue in France during the 15th and 16th century. ... Assorted ancient Bronze castings found as part of a cache, probably intended for recycling. ... Events Portuguese fortify Fort Elmina on the Gold Coast Tizoc rules the Aztecs Diogo Cão, a Portuguese navigator, becomes the first European to sail up the Congo. ...

The second phase took place from c.1470 to c.1490. During this time the nave, the north aisle and its chapels were built. They were completed by 1485 or slightly later. The west wall of the north transept and the north-west crossing pier, perhaps up to capital height, were also constructed in this period. Events Tirant Lo Blanc by Joanot Martorell, Martí Joan De Galba is published. ... // Events August 5-7 - First outbreak of sweating sickness in England begins August 22 - Battle of Bosworth Field is fought between the armies of King Richard III of England and rival claimant to the throne of England Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond. ... Cathedral ground plan. ... For the type of foundation, see Deep foundation. ... A capital of the Composite order In Western architecture, the capital (from the Latin caput, head) forms the crowning member of the column, which projects on each side as it rises, in order to support the abacus and unite the square form of the latter with the circular shaft. ...

In the third phase, c.1500–1516, the glass in the great west window was installed (1498), as a gift from Queen Anne. In 1500 took place the vaulting of the first bay of the nave. From 1508 to 1516 the eastern bay of the south aisle of the nave and its chapel was completed and vaulted; the south transept was begun, finishing most of the upper parts of its western wall by 1519-1520. The financial support came from Bishop Guillaume Guegen and the architect was Jacques Drouet. 1500 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events March - With the death of Ferdinand II of Aragon, his grandson Charles of Ghent becomes King of Spain as Carlos I. July - Selim I of the Ottoman Empire declares war on the Mameluks and invades Syria. ... Picture of the statue of Anne of Britanny located near the castle in Nantes, France Anne of Brittany (January 25, 1477 – January 9, 1514) was also known as Anna of Brittany and Anne de Bretagne. ... 1508 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 4 - Hernán Cortés lands in Mexico. ... mary elline m. ...

The last phase is the post-medieval one. It spanned from c.1626 to 1630 and led to the completion of the nave high vaulting (four eastern bays) and the construction of the nave flyers. The south transept was completed sometime between 1631 and 1637 or perhaps later, in a sympathetic Gothic style.^[2] Louis le Vau recommended to the Chapter at Nantes, in about 1650 to build the choir in a Gothic style. The rest of the north transept and the choir were finished between 1840 and 1891, at a time of keen revival of the Catholic faith. The long wait was also due to the fact that the former (Romanesque) church was standing right next to the city's protective walls, which had to be taken down before completing the choir, while destroying the remains of the previous cathedral as it was covered by the larger, new one. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Events September 30 - Nurhaci, chieftain of the Jurchens and founder of the Qing Dynasty dies and is succeeded by his son Hong Taiji. ... Events February 22 - Native American Quadequine introduces Popcorn to English colonists. ... // Events February 5 - Roger Williams emigrates to Boston. ... Events February 3 - Tulipmania collapses in Netherlands by government order February 15 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor December 17 - Shimabara Rebellion erupts in Japan Pierre de Fermat makes a marginal claim to have proof of what would become known as Fermats last theorem. ... Year 1650 (MDCL) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ...

On 28 January 1972 a gigantic fire started on the roof. Firemen managed to bring it under control, but the timber frame was severely damaged, and many other damages were inflicted. This event led to what was undoubtedly the most complete interior restoration of a cathedral in France. January 28 is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

The elevation and the regularity of the plan of the cathedral are French. Still the majority of the details are Late Gothic, e.g. the absence of capitals, the plinths with concave sides and separated bases for the shafts, the Flamboyant tracery, the masking of the piers by shafts, etc.^[3] Königsberg Cathedral Gothic architecture is a style of architecture, particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, which flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. ... Plinth of the Sign of the Kiwi, Dyers Pass, Port Hills, Christchurch (NZ) c 1917 - Collection: [Christchurch City Libraries] Look up Plinth in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Deconstructing a Roman pillar. ... Tracery is implementation of net-like decorations in a building used especially in Gothic architecture. ...

Architecture

Ground plan of the Cathedral

Dimensions

Height of the towers - 63 m (192 ft)
Height of the roof - 49 m (149 ft)
Height of nave - 37.5 m (114 ft)
Interior width - 38.5 m (117 ft)
Interior length - 103 m (313 ft)
Length of the chancel - 30 m (91 ft) The Eiffel Tower Fire-observation watchtower in Kostroma, Russia. ... Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... This article is about an architectural feature; for the astronomical term see apsis. ...

Exterior

The façade of the Cathedral of Nantes is dominated by two large towers, stretching up above the top terrace. It presents several remarkable characteristics, e.g. (1) the presence of an external pulpit, designed to preach to the crowd assembled on the square, or (2) the presence of five richly decorated gates, three of them on the façade and two to the sides (see Ground plan, positions 1 - Main Gate, 2 - Gate of St. Paul, 3 - Gate of St. Yves, 32 - Gate of St. Donatien and St. Rogatien [1] and 33 - Gate of St. Peter). However, the façade as a whole has neither the elegance nor the architectural nobility of other Gothic buildings of the same period. St. ...

Interior

Inside the Cathedral of Nantes, the restoured nave with the oculus

The plain façade is largely compensated for by the polish of the interior of the building. The whiteness of the stone, accentuated by recent restoration work, the imposing dimensions of the nave and the aisles and the effect of the immense inner column create a Gothic atmosphere inside the cathedral. Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... Oculus is the Latin word for eye. ...

Inside the cathedral are the tombs of Francis II, Duke of Brittany (position 10) and Marguerite de Foix (parents of Anne of Brittany), (made at the beginning of the 16th century by Michel Colombe) and Jean Perréal. The cathedral also shelters the cenotaph of General de Lamoricière (position 23), a monument set up in 1878 in papal homage to him. A tomb is a small building (or vault) for the remains of the dead, with walls, a roof, and (if it is to be used for more than one corpse) a door. ... Francis II (in French François II) (June 23, 1433 – September 9, 1488), was duke of Brittany, from 1458 to his death. ... Picture of the statue of Anne of Britanny located near the castle in Nantes, France Anne of Brittany (January 25, 1477 – January 9, 1514) was also known as Anna of Brittany and Anne de Bretagne. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... The Cenotaph, London A ceremony at the Cenotaph, London, on Sunday 12th June 2005, remembering Irish war dead Memorial Cenotaph, Hiroshima, Japan A cenotaph is a tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere. ... The Taj Mahal, commissioned by the Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, as a mausoleum for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum. ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Other information

In front of the cathedral, on 5 September 1661, on the order of Louis XIV, Nicolas Fouquet was arrested by d'Artagnan. September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... 1661 (MDCLXI) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Sun King redirects here. ... Portrait by Édouard Lacretelle. ... The statue of dArtagnan in Auch Statue of dArtagnan in Maastricht Charles de Batz-Castelmore, Comte dArtagnan (c. ...

More information on the survival of the Gothic style in France can be found in Cocke (1990).^[4]

Gallery

Cathedral of Nantes, the column bases show the typical features of the late Gothic period. Deconstructing a Roman pillar. ... Königsberg Cathedral Gothic architecture is a style of architecture, particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, which flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. ...

Cathedral of Nantes, ornaments on the vault of the nave Ornament is frequently used to denote: An element of decoration. ... The Lierne vault of the Liebfrauenkirche, Mühlacker 1482. ... Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ...

External links

• La cathédrale de Nantes
• St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral - Map

References

Coordinates: 47.2180° N 1.5508° W Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...