Amiens Tip
by Grainne
We chanced on Amiens, and as I walked through the streets, thinking of Amiens as it must have been in WW1 (I had read Sebastien Faulkes' 'Birdsong' earlier that summer) I suddenly arrived at the cathedral square. It was ten in the evening, and a huge crowd was gathered, all facing the cathedral. We didnt' know what was going on, so we joined them. Suddenly all the lights went out, and a voice boomed over loudspeakers...then the facade of the cathedral lit up in brilliant colours, and the disembodied voice took us through a history of the cathedral, and the discovery of fragments of colour when they were renovating, which lead to this computer aided reconstruction of the cathedral as it looked when it was first built. A magical half hour...pinpoint accuracy from the projectors, and a totally new perspective on these worthy buildings!
The Cathedral Nave Has a Labyrinth in Its Floor
by hquittner
A labyrinth is a form of maze which has a simple unambiguous path to its center and back out (as contrasted to a maze which has many choices and dead-ends). It is a common primitive design developed in many societies and was undoubtedly ritualistic. The labyrinth has appeared in marble on the cathedral floors of Chartres, Reims and Amiens and at Siena as well. Here they symbolize a trip to Jerusalem, thus a pilgrimage with associated prayers and thoughts and meditations. Devout people follow the path in the marble floor, praying, on their knees. (Our picture also shows the fine old carved pulpit byJ-B. Dupuis, 1773).
The First Room Deodorant
by hquittner
Bathing and cleanliness is a 19-20C innovation. Baths in earlier times bordered on being a luxury or a medical therapeutic (such as hot springs). The stench of a crowd of church goers must have been overpowering and distracting to the priests. The censer (or thurible)was the first deodorant. These are from the treasury in the cathedral and are pure gold.We only peeked in. By not paying the fee we missed seeing the “head” of J.-B. (Have you seen the grandfather of all censers. the “Botafumiero” at Santiago de Compostella?)
Packing List
by wanderlust23
The best type of bag to take to Amiens (now I'm talking to you fellow Americans especially) is a light one! Getting to Amiens and then having to lug around your baggage is not very fun. Plus you really won't need to bring as many clothes as you think you will. A few pairs of black pants, some muted colored shirts and you're set for Europe. Only kind of kidding... seriously though, bring an umbrella, several if they tend to fall apart in the wind. Winter and spring are very rainy and windy in Amiens. And bring comfortable walking shoes because the city center is designed for walking. All toiletry and first aid items can be bought in the grocery and department stores of Amiens. Developing film can be pretty expensive! I'd wait until I got home unless you absolutely are dying to see your pictures!
South of the cathedral
by blanter
Amiens is not just the cathedral and the medieval area around. The whole city is nice and did not change too much in the 20th century. This is an example of what you can find in the area south of the cathedral, about 20 minutes walk.
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The western rose window was completed ~1500.
The 1269-window, a little closer.
Fitting the lead to the glass.
The city's crest.
