The Solar Orientation of the Gothic Cathedrals of France

The Solar Orientation of the Gothic Cathedrals of France

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Author(s)

Author(s): Amelia Carolina Sparavigna

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DOI: 10.18483/ijSci.484 841 1667 6-11 Volume 3 - Apr 2014

Abstract

The orientation of the Gothic cathedrals of France can be easily discussed and investigated using the satellite maps. Except a few of them, these buildings have the apse facing the rising sun, according to a practice adopted during the medieval period.

Keywords

Sunrise amplitude, Solar azimuth, Archaeoastronomy, Gothic cathedrals

References

  1. A.C. Sparavigna, The Gardens of Taj Mahal and the Sun, The International Journal of Sciences, 2013, Volume 2, Issue 11, Pages 104-107
  2. A.C. Sparavigna, Solar Azimuths in the Planning of a Nur Jahan's Charbagh, The International Journal of Sciences, 2013, Volume 2, Issue 12, Pages 8-10
  3. A.C. Sparavigna, Sunrise and Sunset Azimuths in the Planning of Ancient Chinese Towns, The International Journal of Sciences, 2013, Volume 2, Issue 11, Pages 52-59
  4. A.C. Sparavigna, A Solar Orientation in the Town-Planning of Xanadu, Archaeogate, 7 June 2013
  5. A.C. Sparavigna, The Solar Orientation of the Lion Rock Complex in Sri Lanka, The International Journal of Sciences, 2013, Volume 2, Issue 11, Pages 60-62
  6. Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), The Spirit of the Liturgy, Ad Solem, 2006, page 64
  7. The expression “ad orientem” is often used to mean the priest facing the apse or wall behind the altar, that is, with priest and people looking in the same direction, even if the apse is not oriented westwards, as in the ancient churches of Rome, or eastwards, as in the Gothic cathedrals. The “ad orientem” worship is opposed to that called “versus populum”, in which the priest faces the people
  8. Helen Dietz, The Eschatological Dimension of Church Architecture: The Biblical Roots of Church Orientation, The Sacred Architecture, 2005, Volume 10, Pages 12-14
  9. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Oxford University Press 2005, articles "orientation", "westward position", "eastward position"
  10. Uwe Michael Lang, Turning Towards the Lord: Orientation in Liturgical Prayer, Ignatius Press, 2004
  11. Erwin Panofsky, editor and translator of Suger's Latin memoirs, is telling that Suger, as a young boy born to lowly parents, was dedicated as an oblate or lay novice to Saint-Denis at the age of nine or ten. Appointed abbot in 1122, Suger's main goal was to honor God and St.Denis through the beautification of his church
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  14. A.C. Sparavigna, The Orientation of Julia Augusta Taurinorum (Torino), http://arxiv.org/abs/1206.6062
  15. A.C. Sparavigna, The Sunrise Amplitude Equation Applied to an Egyptian Temple, http://arxiv.org/abs/1207.6942
  16. A.C. Sparavigna, The Orientation of Trayans’ Town of Timgad, http://arxiv.org/abs/1208.0454
  17. Rite of Dedication of a Church and an Altar 1978, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL), www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Rites/RDCA.pdf
  18. http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Corner_or_Foundation_Stone
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Cite this Article:

International Journal of Sciences is Open Access Journal.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
Author(s) retain the copyrights of this article, though, publication rights are with Alkhaer Publications.

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