Bourges Cathedral, Again

We drove somewhat out of the way to get back to Bourges, south of Paris. We both wanted to see the great 13th century cathedral again, both for the glass and for the great size and age and uniqueness of the building. I did a long post or two on St. Etienne Cathedral in Bourges back in May, and, hopefully, I won't repeat too many of those shots. It's our new love, as cathedrals go.

The new roof is just about done, I imagine; there are several things I find intriguing
about Bourges...its non-cruciform shape, more akin to the original Roman/Christian
basilicas, reflecting, some surmise, the builders' interest in architectural unity; the
fact that, when built, it had no relics; and was not on any established pilgrimage route 

Elevation, with the great double aisles; Bourges is not as tall
inside as a few of the others, but it feels incomparably larger

In one of the aisles; because of their great height, you can
easily think you must be in the nave

Judgment window

Detail; paucitas salvandorum, multitudonem damnamdorum; including bishops

In another window, devils at play

From the Was, Is, and Shall Be window...Shall Be

And here, a treat or two we missed on our earlier visit...on a couple of apparently
mangled windows on the south side are intact remnants from the earlier 12th century
windows...one doesn't see that much 12th century glass...

Ditto

Vicki demonstrates how close you can get to some of the
glass at Bourges

And another treat...in the St. John chapel, a 1475 fresco that
was "discovered" and restored in the 1990s

Convincingly later 15th century, if you ask me

Bourges' bow