Today we took the 1.5 hour drive to Metz France, our first time out of Germany since we arrived. Photos along the way.
Driving into Metz.
Extremely narrow road!
It was a bit scary trying to squeeze through the entrance to the parking garage. :)
After the flea market, we headed to the city center to an outdoor market and the Cathedral of Saint Etienne.
There were many, many more venders than it shows in these pics. Fresh fruits, veggies, seafood, meats, herbs, breads, cheeses, and lots of clothing. This outdoor market was in a parking lot across from the cathedral. it was in front of an indoor market, called the Place de Chambre, that was build in 1785 as the Bishop's palace.
After a little browsing and sampling we headed across the street to the Cathedral. The Cathedral, also known as God's lantern because of all of the light inside, has the 2nd highest nave in France (The nave is supported by flying buttresses and culminates at 41.41 metres (135.9 ft) high, making one of the highest naves in the world. The height of the nave is contrasted by the relatively low height of the aisles with 14.3 metres (47 ft) high, reinforcing the sensation of tallness of the nave) and the largest expanse of ancient stained glass in a single building(6,496 m2 (69,920 sq ft)). Its construction has been ongoing, but began in 984. Enough of that! As you will soon see, it is freaking BeAuTiFuL!!!
Front (entrance in bottom left)
Back
The entrance is called Portal of the Virgin. Among its scores of statues stands Saint Clément, the city's first bishop, whom legend credits with ridding the city of a monster called the Graoully (pronounced growly) by capturing the beast with his priestly stole and drowning it in the Seille.
Here is a close-up of some of the "Graoully's" on the building.
Entering the cathedral was breathtaking to say the least. We took A LOT of pictures inside, but I am going to try to upload only the best ones. This first pictures are; a map and descriptions and then looking down to the right from the front door.
Close up of the ceiling.
Didn't I tell you? Wow! The next group of photos will be from areas along the right side of this picture counter clockwise to the left. I'll add the stained glass last.
This nativity scene was set up in the "Chapelle-Notre Dame La Ronde" area #16
Painting on one of the pillars between areas #16 and #15.
Front right side of the sanctuary. Right beside, I guess you would call it a stage (sorry)? In the area behind #12. I thought that it looked like the organ was in there, but the map shows it directly across in #9/10.
The back window is in the #11 area. I think it was under it.
#6, the Chaire A Precher (the pulpit). It was basically a small, double staircase that had a low landing.
The Cross #4. People were lighting candles and praying here.
#3 Notre Dame De Bon-Secours, Our Lady of Succour. It looked like a statue of a child wearing a white christening gown. People were lighting candles and praying here too.
#2 Cuve Baptismale, the baptismal basin.
The inside of the entrance door. It's hard to tell, but they were REALLY tall. Mike estimates at least 20 feet.
A few more pictures of the MILES of stained glass!
A few random pics from outside.
We walked around a bit more before we stopped for lunch.
We ate lunch at "Le Montecristo". A little cafe in the square across from the cathedral. I didn't take pictures, but it was a quaint little restaurant that served mostly Italian food.
http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2012/09/24/discovering_metz.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metz_Cathedral
