Marvel at three breathtaking rose windows that transform divine light into radiant color, depicting biblical scenes in luminous medieval glass. These 13-meter masterpieces represent the pinnacle of Gothic stained glass artistry.
Notre-Dame's three rose windows stand among the greatest achievements of medieval stained glass artistry. Each 13-meter diameter masterpiece transforms natural light into divine radiance, creating an ethereal atmosphere that has inspired worship and wonder for over 700 years.
The South Rose Window, the most famous and largest, depicts Christ surrounded by apostles, martyrs, and saints in brilliant blues, reds, and golds. This masterpiece survived the 2019 fire intact, continuing to cast its sacred light across the cathedral's interior.
These windows served as "books of light" for medieval congregations, telling biblical stories through color and imagery when most people could not read. The intricate stonework that supports the glass, called tracery, forms geometric patterns that echo the divine order of creation.
Book Stained Glass Tour
The largest and most magnificent, depicting Christ in Majesty surrounded by apostles, martyrs, and saints. This 13th-century masterpiece radiates divine light in brilliant blues and reds.
Features the Virgin Mary surrounded by prophets and kings of Judah, created around 1250. The deep blues and purples create a mystical atmosphere of royal majesty.
The oldest of the three, depicting the Last Judgment with Christ as supreme judge. Though smaller, its vivid storytelling captures the medieval vision of divine justice.
Witness ancient glass-making techniques including "pot metal" coloring and silver stain that create depths of color impossible to replicate with modern methods.
1225-1250 - Creation of Light: Master glaziers create the North and South Rose Windows using revolutionary techniques that combine theology with artistry, establishing new standards for stained glass.
1250-1270 - Divine Completion: The West Rose Window is completed, featuring the Last Judgment theme. These windows represent the pinnacle of High Gothic glass artistry and theological expression.
1700s-1800s - Trials of Time: The windows survive the French Revolution, though many other cathedral treasures are lost. Their survival marks them as truly irreplaceable cultural artifacts.
1800s - Restoration Renaissance: Viollet-le-Duc's careful restoration preserves the original medieval glass while adding supportive elements to ensure their survival for future generations.
2019-Present - Miraculous Preservation: The rose windows survive the devastating fire unharmed, continuing to cast their sacred light and inspiring the cathedral's reconstruction efforts.
Each rose window tells profound spiritual stories through color, light, and symbolic imagery:
The intricate stone framework supporting the glass represents a triumph of Gothic engineering. Each delicate stone mullion was precisely carved to support tons of glass while creating flowing, organic patterns that seem to defy gravity.
The rose windows are possible because of Notre-Dame's revolutionary flying buttress system, which transfers the roof's weight away from the walls, allowing for these massive openings filled with luminous stained glass instead of solid stone.
Expert-guided exploration of Notre-Dame's artistic treasures with special focus on the rose windows, Gothic stonework, and medieval symbolism. Learn to read the sacred stories told in glass and stone.
