The Cathedral of Chartres is the finest example of a Gothic Cathedral in the world. One of "the high places of Christendom" it was the cradel, and still is, of pilgramages to the holy site. Records indicate that there has been a church on this site from the 4th century A.D. It has withstood many fires, and the French Revolution, where it was used as a temple to the Goddess of Reason, and has been able to stay at this site since. On our first visit we were able to hear the organ playing the whole time we were there. It seems that it was a day for a pilgrimage and prayer for a lot of disabled people, and they were bringing them in by the busload. We made it up the spiral staircase to the roof for a commanding view of the city of Chartres.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame D'Amiens is the Gothic cathedral located in the historic city of Amiens, France, in the Somme River valley north of Paris. It is the largest of the three great Gothic cathedrals built in France during the 13th century, and it remains the largest in France. The cathedral's elaborately decorated exterior has its fullest expression in the double-towered west facade, which is dominated by three deep-set arched portals and a richly carved gallery below the immense rose window. Construction of the nave began in 1220 under the direction of the architect Robert de Luzarches. The nave and western facade were completed by 1236, and most of the main construction was finished about 1270. Many later additions took place, including the installation of the grand organ in 1549 and the erection of a 367-foot spire during the same century. The cathedral at Amiens was the site of several noteworthy events, including the marriage of Charles VI to Isabella of Bavaria in 1385. Despite heavy fighting around Amiens during World Wars I and II, the cathedral escaped serious damage.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame D'Reims is located in the city of Reims, France, on the Vesle River east-northeast of Paris. Reims was the site of 25 coronations of the kings of France, from Louis VIII in 1223 to Charles X in 1825, including the crowning of Charles VII in 1429 in the presence of Joan of Arc. The cathedral, which was begun in 1211 was modeled on Chartres Cathedral and was intended to replace an earlier church destroyed by fire in 1210. The main construction was overseen by four different architects and lasted some 80 years; expansions and decorative work continued on the church for centuries. Reims Cathedral incorporated several new architectural techniques, notably bar tracery. The twin towers in the west facade have a height of 266 feet. This unity is emphasized by the use of nearly identical window types in the aisle and clerestory stories, as well as the complementary rose windows. Reims is richly decorated with elegant masonry sculpture and exceptional stained-glass windows, making it one of the artistic masterpieces of the French High Gothic period.

Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral church of Paris, France is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architectural interest. Notre-Dame lies at the eastern end of the Île de la Cité and was built on the ruins of two earlier churches, which were themselves predated by a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter. The cathedral was initiated by Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris, who about 1160 conceived the idea of converting into a single building, on a larger scale, the ruins of the two earlier basilicas. The foundation stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163, and the high altar was consecrated in 1189. The choir, the western facade, and the nave were completed by 1250, and porches, chapels, and other embellishments were added over the next 100 years. Notre-Dame Cathedral suffered damage and deterioration through the centuries, and after the French Revolution it was rescued from possible destruction by Napoleon, who crowned himself emperor of the French in the cathedral in 1804. Notre-Dame underwent major restorations by the French architect E.-E. Viollet-le-Duc in the mid-19th century. The cathedral is the setting for Victor Hugo's historical novel Notre-Dame de Paris.

Monastery of the HOLY TRINITY (Agia Trias) in Kalambaka, Greece. Historical records tell us that this monastery was founded between 1458 and 1476 by one Donetios, who was probably the first ascetic to take up residence on the rock. The chapel of the monastery is cruciform with two pillars and a low cupola. The frescoes inside were painted in 1692 and were painted by the Monks Damaskinos, Arseios and Ionas. There are 140 steps to it now that have been hewn into the rock, but in the old days the only access was by rope ladder or a basket that was lifted to the top.

Saint Anthony's Basilica - Padua, Italy The Basilica of Saint Anthony, is the most important monument of the City of Padua. It is also one of the most important art treasures and one of Christianity's most popular shrines. Begun in 1232 by an unknown Franciscan Monk, it was finished towards the end of the century. The exterior Romanesque structure displays a strong influence of Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice, while the interior shows a high apse with nine radial chapels reflection the Gothic tradition. The Basilica is 115 meters long and a maximum of 55 meters wide, and the interior height is 38.5 meters. It is crowned by eight domes, two bell-towers and two miniature minaret towers.

The Basilica of Saint Anthony, built in the form of a Latin Cross, is divided into three naves with a wide but short transept. The side aisles lead to the ambulacrum which surrounds the presbytery and the choir. The church, immersed in semi-darkness, is a harmonious blend of the imposing power of Romanesque architecture and the soaring Gothic style. Typical are the many funeral monuments in honor of military leaders, scholars, and clergymen. The most famous fresco is The Madonna and Child (1350) by Stefano Da Ferrara. There are 60 depictions of Our Lady in the Basilica. A large fresco of Saint Anthony Preaching from the Walnut Tree (1985) by Pietro Annigoni dominates the inside of the facade above the central door.