The Construction of Amiens Cathedral Begins (1220 CE): A Masterpiece of High Gothic Architecture

In 1220, construction began on the west end of the nave of Notre-Dame d'Amiens (Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens), one of the greatest achievements of French High Gothic architecture. Designed to be both monumental in scale and structurally innovative, the cathedral’s soaring 138-foot (42-meter) vault and total length of 476 feet (145 meters) closely followed the plan of Reims Cathedral.

Origins of the Cathedral: The Relic of John the Baptist

• The initial impetus for constructing Amiens Cathedral came with the installation of a highly revered relic—the reputed head of John the Baptist—on December 17, 1206.
• The relic had been looted during the Fourth Crusade, when Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204 instead of fighting the Turks.
• A sumptuous reliquary was crafted to house the skull, and the relic drew large numbers of pilgrims to Amiens, necessitating the construction of a grander cathedral to accommodate them.

Architectural Ambitions and Innovations

• French High Gothic in style, the cathedral aimed to surpass its predecessors in height, luminosity, and spatial harmony.
• The work was supervised by master mason Robert de Luzarches, one of the most renowned Gothic architects of his time.
• Key design elements included:
  • A soaring vaulted ceiling reaching 138 feet (42 meters), one of the tallest of any medieval cathedral.
  • A vast interior space, with a total length of 476 feet (145 meters).
  • A highly refined elevation, emphasizing light and verticality, drawing from the structural innovations of Reims Cathedral.

Legacy and Significance

• Amiens Cathedral would become one of the largest and most perfected examples of Gothic architecture, surpassing many of its predecessors in scale and elegance.
• The cathedral’s grandeur was deeply tied to its role as a pilgrimage site, further reinforcing its spiritual and cultural importance.
• Over the next decades, Amiens would emerge as a leading model for later Gothic cathedrals, influencing architectural advancements across France and beyond.

The construction of Amiens Cathedral in 1220, driven by the arrival of the relic of John the Baptist, symbolized the height of medieval Gothic ambition, blending religious devotion, architectural innovation, and the wealth generated from the Crusades into one of the most magnificent cathedrals ever built.