Ambulatory - St. Denis Abbey
Paris, France
An "ambulatory" is the covered walkway outside the chancel and around the apse of a church. On the side of the ambulatory facing the outer wall, there are chapels that extend the outer wall. Ambulatories are somewhat rare in America, but common in Europe.
Suger's conception of the ambulatory with its "radiating" chapels was partnered with filtered light through stained-glass windows, which he personally looked after with great care. Fourteen windows, two per radiating chapel, were ornamented with stained-glass windows following his directives. Eight of them bore decorative stained-glass windows showing winged griffins.
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Ambulatory with "radiating" chapels |
Ribbed Gothic vault |
Chapel with two stained glass windows |
Detail from previous photo - mosaic floor |
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Winged griffin |
Mosaic floor |
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Mosaic floor - Quatrefoil pattern |
Dagobert (d. 639) Monument |
