Comparison of the Partheon and the Cathedral of Chartres

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Although the Pantheon and the Cathedral of Chartres are both some of the greatest architectural advances in history they are very different. We can compare the time that each of the buildings was built, where and for who they were built for, and why they were built. Another thing we can compare is the structure of the buildings and the type of material they are built from. The Pantheon and the Cathedral of Chartres differ in structure and design. The Pantheon consists of two different parts the first is a porch surrounded by classic Greek architecture columns made of marble. The second part of the building is a circular Roman style made entirely of brick and concrete with dome as a roof. The only sources of lighting in the Pantheon are the two large bronze doors and the oculus at the top of the dome. Where the Cathedral of Chartres resembles French gothic style architecture made completely out of stone. The Cathedral of Chartres is built in the shape of a cross like most of the Cathedrals in the gothic period. It contains pointed arches, chapels, and sculptures. Unlike the Pantheons two sources of light the Cathedral of Chartres contains 176 stain glass windows along the exterior walls (Encyclopedia Britannica). The interior of the Pantheon is an open circular floor plan and, was painted blue and gold to resemble the vault of heaven (The Humanistic Tradition). The interior of the Pantheon was purposely meant to outshine the exterior. Unlike the Pantheons more interior design the Cathedral has a more exterior design. The interior of the Cathedral of Chartres has a network of open and closed spaces. The exterior of the Cathedral is lined with sculptures that are linked to the Old and New Testaments. Along with t... ... middle of paper ... ...com/Pantheon/>. Fiero, Gloria K. "The Medieval Synthesis in the Arts." The Humanistic Tradition Prehistory to the Early Modern World. 6th ed. Vol. 1. N.p.: McGraw-Hill College, 2005. 155-157, 309-16. Print. Parker, Freda. "The Pantheon – Rome – 126 AD | Monolithic." Monolithic. N.p., 12 May 2009. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. . "Sacred Destinations." Chartres Cathedral. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. . "The Cathedral of Chartres." Chartres Cathedral. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. . The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Chartres Cathedral (cathedral, Chartres, France)."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. .

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