In 1160 Maurice de Sully had a vision of the cathedral Notre Dame de Paris. Three years later the cornerstone was laid and construction began, and Notre Dame was on its way to become the “World Ambassodor of Gothic Cathedrals”(internet 1) Notre Dame de Paris, more than seven hundred years old, is only the most recent of holy houses to occupy this ancient sacred ground. The Celts held their services on this island in the seine, and atop their sacred groves the Romans built their own temple to Jupiter. In the early years of Christianity, a basilica dedicated to St. Etienne was constructed around 528 by Childebert. A church in the Romanesque manner replaced the basilica, and this stood until 1163 when work began on the structure which stands today(Roubier 46).In 1182 the Apse and the Choir of the church were completed and fourteen years later the Nave was completed, but a tragedy fell upon the church; Maurice de Sully died. In 1200 Eudes de Sully, who was Maurice’s successor, began work on the western facade and the Rose Window. Eudes de Sully wasnt related to Maurice, but he was more than likely born in the same town. Constructed in three stages, the cathedral was completed in 1250. This period witnessed Paris coming into its own force as a center of political power and commerce. No expense was spared in creating a church that would reflect the capital's newly won prestige. These were the “development” years of early Gothic architecture, it was essential that Paris should contain an impressive cathedral featuring innovations to surpass such smaller towns as Sens and Noyon. An advantage which Paris possessed over other sites, was that the construction efforts were supported and encouraged by the the king, Louis VII.The reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV saw significant alterations including the destruction of tombs, and stained glass. At the end of the 18th century, during the Revolution, many of the treasures...
