href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@48347@[email protected]#page_022" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">p. 22) covers a ground surface of about 9,000 square yards. Measured on the outside, it has a total length of about 480 feet and a width of 230 feet at the transept. It is the largest church in France.

The construction of the principal façade and nave was begun in 1220, from plans prepared by the architect, Robert de Luzarches, who was succeeded in his task by Thomas de Cormont and afterwards by his son, Renaud de Cormont.

Although no Cathedral has ever been built in entire conformity with the original plans, that of Amiens was probably completed more quickly than any other, and with less alteration of the original designs.

In 1269, fifty years after the commencement of the building operations, there only remained to be built the upper portion of the west façade and the two great rose-windows of the transept.

The only important alteration made in the original plans was the addition, in the 14th century, of chapels between the buttresses and flying-buttresses of the nave.

The Cathedral is built of grey limestone, on foundations 26 feet thick.

West Façade

The upper portion, consisting of two towers of unequal height, finished in different styles, belongs to the 14th century. The north tower, which is the higher, contains the great bells. The openings are decorated with statues of the Apostles, which have been either restored or renewed.

The upper storey of the south tower contains two bays with openings surmounted by gables. It is terminated by a pointed roof with a dormer-window and lead spikes. A gallery, called the ringers’ gallery, with covered arcades surmounted by pinnacles and turrets, connects the two towers.

WEST FAÇADE

Below this gallery is the great rose-window, of which the frame-work only belongs to the 13th century. The mullions are in the Flamboyant style. Below, running the whole length of the façade, are two superposed galleries.

The first contains twenty-two giant statues (over twelve feet high) of crowned kings bearing sceptres in their hands.

These statues have given rise to much controversy, some holding that they represent the kings of Judah, others, the kings of France.

The second gallery corresponds to the triforium in the interior.

Lastly, comes the great doorway (photo below) with its three large doors. On either side of the lateral doors are massive buttresses which gradually taper off, rising to the upper part of the façade.

On the front side of each are three statues of the lesser prophets, with their most notable prophecies carved in the quatre-foils of the bas-reliefs below.

The whole of the statuary of the great doorway dates back approximately to the period 1225-1235.

Central Doorway (Door of St. Saviour)

On the dividing pier: Statue of Christ, known as the “Beautiful God of Amiens” (photos p. 12).

Trampling the lion and dragon under-foot, he is blessing with his right hand, while in his left he holds a closed book.

On the socle are carved an asp and basilisk, symbolical of the “Evil One vanquished by Christ!”

On the lower portion of the pillar is a crowned king, probably Solomon.

The two sides of the great doorway are similar in design.

(a) On the jambs of the door:

To the right of Christ are the five wise virgins bearing lamps full of oil in their hands. In the lower arcade, a vigorous tree represents the Bible bringing forth good fruit.