Donner, reconnaître, dominer

The current cathedral of Amiens, whose reconstruction began in 1220, 800 years ago, is often presented as a «jewel» or a «masterpiece» of Gothic art. These assessments bear witness to its influence, which was measured at local, regional, national and even European levels, and which was registered in multiple registers, since the Middle Ages. Thus, the cathedral was celebrated by writers, sung by poets, frequented by pilgrims who came to venerate the insignia relic of the head of Saint John the Baptist. It was also a model in terms of its architecture and construction. It was finally the seat of a spiritual and temporal power, that of bishops and canons, before new political, civic, tourist and heritage issues take over. The cathedral of Amiens shines thus with those who pray, look at it, are inspired by it or think about it, through imagination, art or history.