Amiens Cathedral - The Interior

The Interior

Amiens cathedral contains the largest medieval interior in Western Europe, supported by 126 pillars. Both the nave and the chancel are vast but extremely light, with considerable amounts of stained glass surviving, despite the depredations of war.

The ambulatory surrounding the choir is richly decorated with polychrome sculpture and flanked by numerous chapels. One of the most sumptuous is the Drapers' chapel. The cloth industry was the most dynamic component of the medieval economy, especially in northern France, and the cloth merchants were keen to display their wealth and civic pride. Another striking chapel is dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury, a 13th century dedication that complements the cathedral's own very full list of martyrs.

The interior contains works of art and decoration from every period since the building of the cathedral.

• Cathedral interior gallery

• Nave of Notre Dame d'Amiens Looking toward west facade. (Photo 9/2005)

• South aisle looking west

• Close-up of a stained glass window

• Virgin's Chapel.

• Chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury

• Nave of Notre Dame d'Amiens (Photo 9/2005)

• Nave vaults of Notre Dame d'Amiens