Metz Cathedral, officially known as Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Metz, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture located in the heart of Metz, France. Construction of the 136 meters long cathedral began around 1240 and continued into the 16th century, resulting in a harmonious blend of Gothic styles. It is built in Pierre de Jaumont, a local limestone with a yellow color created by iron rust.
The west facade features the grand Rose Window, which is a focal point of the cathedral’s architecture. It has a diameter of over 11 meters.
west facade with its grand Rose Window
The exterior of Metz Cathedral features soaring flying buttresses and intricately carved portals. Its main entrance is the "Portail de la Vierge", located on Place d'Armes.
portail de la Vierge
The cathedral’s interior reaches an impressive height of 41 meters, making it one of the tallest Gothic structures in Europe. The cathedral is renowned for its extensive collection of stained glass windows, which cover nearly 6,500 square meters, making it the largest expanse of stained glass in any single religious building worldwide. The windows of the north transept were created by Théobald de Lixheim in 1504, while the windows of the south transept, completed in 1527, are the work of Valentin Bousch.
ceiling and stained glass windows
The windows span several centuries, with the earliest dating back to the 13th century. The grand Rose Window of the west facade was created in 1384 by Hermann de Münster. In the 20th century, modern artists, including Marc Chagall, contributed to this legacy. Chagall’s windows, installed in the 1960s and 1970s, are notable for their vibrant colors and dreamlike compositions, adding a contemporary dimension to the cathedral's historic fabric.
grand Rose Window created in 1384 by Hermann de Münster
"Creation" window by Marc Chagall (1963)
ceiling and grand Rose Window
With over 700,000 yearly visitors, Metz Cathedral is the most visited building in Lorraine.
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