Stone Screen at the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres

One of the more interesting features of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres is the altar area. This is probably partly to the fact that it is so large that it is hard to see what is high up. As a result, the altar would be the most accessible area. Of course, you can’t just walk up to the altar since this is the considered the holiest place in the cathedral. The altar as it is right now, is more open than I would have imagined. Back then, the congregation would have been separated from the celebrants by a screen or a fence. This is not present anymore but you can still see some parts of it around the ambulatory which is the part which allows people go go behind and around the altar.

This stone screen basically separates the ambulatory from the choir area which behind the present day altar. The stone screen is a beautiful mix of statues. I am not familiar with the figures which are depicted in the stone screen but it really looks very good. There is a small opening in the stone screen which lets people enter the choir area, behind the altar. I got a quick look at it and took my photos.

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