Bourges Cathedral

The "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges" was erected as a replacement for a 11th-century structure. The construction started probably in the last quarter of the 12th century, around the same time, when the builders and bricklayers started in Chartres. The choir of the cathedral was in use by 1214, the nave was finished 1255. The cathedral was consecrated in 1324.

The western facade was finished by 1270. It is very wide (42m), as the four side aisles and central nave each have their own portal.

There are even two more portals, older ones. Here is the southern (side) portal. It is Romanesque, probably created around 1150/60). It was once part of the Romanesque cathedral, that got demolished and was replaced end of the 12th century, by the structure seen today.

The tympanum has Christ in Majesty holding the bible, flanked by the Evangelist´s symbols ("tetramorph"). Below are the 12 apostles. The large trumeau (Christ blessing the passers by) is pretty damaged, on the sides statues of kings and prophets.

This portal is similar to the side portal ("portail royal") in Chartres, that may be about the same age.