To your right, looking
westward, you also obtain a fine view of the Colonnade of the Old Louvre,
with the southwestern gallery, and the more modern buildings of the Museum
behind it.
Now, walk along the southern quay of the island, round the remainder of
the Palais de Justice, as far as the Boulevard du Palais. There turn to
your left, and go in at the first door of the Palace on the left
(undeterred by sentries) into the court of the Sainte Chapelle, the only
important relic now remaining of the home of Saint Louis. You may safely
neglect the remainder of the building.
The thirteenth century was a period of profound religious enthusiasm
throughout Europe. Conspicuous among its devout soldiers was Louis IX.,
afterward canonized as St. Louis. The saintly king purchased from Baldwin,
Emperor of Constantinople, the veritable Crown of Thorns, and a fragment
of the True Cross--paying for these relics an immense sum of money. Having
become possest of such invaluable and sacred objects, Louis desired to
have them housed with suitable magnificence. He therefore entrusted Pierre
de Montereau with the task of building a splendid chapel (within the
precincts of his palace), begun in 1245, and finished three years later,
immediately after which the king set out on his Crusade.
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