If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 621

 

 

 

 

 

Interior, Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France

 

This beautiful color postcard showing the interior of Saint-Chapelle in Paris is from Collectionnez les Cartes Postales, Editions Chantal, of Paris, France.  The card is identified as a Mexichrome product.  Mexicrome specializes in French souvenir cards

 

When Bob and I were in Paris in 2018 we visited Saint Chapelle.  The long wait to get in was well rewarded by the stunning interior beauty.  Visitors are not allowed to use flash camera settings inside the church and the photos we took that day appear quite dark but could be lighted up using Photoshop, see examples of a similar view below.  Also, it was crowded inside and difficult to get photos without people. 

 

 

 

Before adjusting the light

 

 

 

After adjusting the light

 

Saint-Chapelle or Holy Chapel was constructed sometime around 1238 and consecrated in 1248.  Commissioned by King Louis IX of France, it is considered among the highest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture.  The king had the chapel built to house his collection of Passion relics including a piece of the crown of thorns.  The crown of thorns was once in the gold box on top of the arch with angles holding a replica of the crown just beneath it.

 

 

 

The crown on thorns was originally housed in the gold box above the arch

 

 These angels holding a crown of thorns were below the box

 

The crown of thorns was later moved to Notre Dame where it survived the 2019 fire.  Sainte-Chapelle is now a museum under the French Centre of National Monuments.  

 

 

 

This statue of King Louis IX is featured in the lower chapel

 

The lower level, where the postcard picture was taken, is beautiful but the upstairs chapel with its tall stained-glass windows is breath-taking and awe inspiring.  Here are both the exterior view of Sainte-Chapelle and an interior view of part of the upper chapel. 

 

 Exterior of Sante-Chapelle

 

 

Interior of upper chapel showing the spectacular stained-glass windows

 

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle