History in Chartres

The ancient town of Chartres dates back to the early Gallo-Roman period. The Romans made Chartres the chief town of the territory of the Carnutes, a tribe mentioned by Caesar in The Gallic Wars. Gallo-Roman remains have been found beneath the Cathedral and fragments are visible in the crypt. It is likely that there was a Christian presence in Chartres from the 4th century, although the earliest documentary reference to a Cathedral here was in 743. Prior to the cathedral, a Christian church had stood on the same site since the 4th century. Centuries earlier, however, on the same spot had stood an oak grove where Druids held their ceremonies. Gallic Druids ruled all over and were obeyed, before the Romans invaded the area. These “Carnutes” held their religious ceremonies around a miraculous well. From the 6th century on, pilgrims came over to pray and bring numerous offerings. But the real treasure was the "Veil of the Virgin" given in 876 by Charles le Chauve. It was said that it belonged to the holy virgin and soon it became a relic. Pilgrimages became more and more important and Chartres became a wealthy city. After a fire in 1194, that destroyed the edifice in three days, the whole city decided with enthusiasm to rebuild the cathedral. Wealthy merchants and bourgeois who wanted to show their devotion assembled the money to build something extraordinary: a new cathedral. Chartres Cathedral, begun in 1194, is the epitome of Gothic architecture.