# Exterior view [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [ARCHITECT, French]() - Date: 1251-1300 - Technique: Photo ## Commentary Exterior view c. 1250 Photo Cathedral of Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais, Soissons \(Aisne\) The construction of the south transept \(the oldest part of the church\) was begun soon after building land was donated in 1177. The choir with its original three-storey elevation and extremely tall clerestory was completed in 1211. Work then continued into the nave until the late 13th century. The single western tower dates from the mid-13th century and is an imitation of those of Notre-Dame de Paris, which it equals in height \(66 m\). The tower was restored after it and part of the nave were severely damaged in World War I. A matching tower on the other side of the façade was originally planned, but never built. The photo shows the west façade. View the <a href="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/support/plans/zzzarchi/13c/2/1/soissons.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=400,height=600'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return false">ground plan</a> of Soissons Cathedral. ## Related artworks - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Bird's eye view]() - [Burial lantern]() - [Castle]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()