The stained glass windows in la cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Chartres are justly renowned as superb works of medieval art, but they were not meant merely as decoration.

They are the medieval equivalent of a Biblical picture show, recounting all the myth, legend and history of Christianity as it was practiced in the 1200s in France. These "visuals" helped priests to educate their flock in an age when most people were illiterate.

All of the familiar stories are here, as well as some that are unfamiliar to Christian lore, such as signs of the zodiac. If you have binoculars or a long camera lens, you can enjoy close-up views.

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