Catedra means "seat" in Latin.
A cathedral is the seat of a Catholic bishop, who oversees the diocese, made up of multiple parishes.
The bishop's responsibilities include administering the diocese but also teaching.
Given that most of the medieval population was illiterate, cathedrals used their artworks as powerful tools to convey Biblical teachings.
Notre Dame's facade, for instance, was designed with this purpose in mind.
This approach is often referred to as a "Poor Man's Bible".
It provides a visual narrative for those unable to read.
High above the doors stand a series of stone figures representing the 28 kings of Judah - the biblical ancestors of Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew.
In 1792, French revolutionaries mistook them for French kings and decapitated them. They have since been restored and the originals can be seen at the Cluny Museum.
Just above the main door is the Last Judgement - when Christ is said to judge all souls, some ascending to heaven and others condemned to hell.
At the lower level, angels are resuscitating souls to the sound of trumpets.
Above, the archangel Michael is weighing souls - and a demon attempts to tip the scales in his favor.
To the left, the "saved" are led off, pious and relaxed.
To the right, the "damned" are terrified and in chains.
Fun fact : in this scene, a king, bishop and rich man are seen being crushed by a demon - showing that the Last Judgement applies to all, regardless of status.
Hundreds of spectators are represented watching the scene - including Abraham, who has hid 3 souls in his tunic!
On each side of the doors are represented the virtues and vices - at eye-level so that they can be seen and serve as a cautionary tale for those entering the cathedral.
Strength is a knight holding a shield and a sword.
Weakness is a man fleeing from a rabbit!
Humility is a woman holding a medallion with a bird, while Pride is a man falling from his horse.
Wisdom is a woman with a snake, the symbol of medecine, while Folly is a man walking barefoot with a stick that is too short and drinking from a horn.
Perseverance is a monk, while Inconsistency is a man running away from the monastery.
Patience is a woman with an ox, while Impatience, is a young man threatening with his sword another man holding a book.
Justice is a woman with a phoenix, while Injustice is a man trying to tip the scales in his favor.
Generosity is a woman with a ram, while Avarice is a man hiding his money in a safe.
Hope is a woman looking up to the sky, while Despair is a man piercing himself with his sword.
Gentleness is a woman holding a medallion with a lamb, while Harshness is a man striking his servant.
On each side of the door are also the apostles : Bartholomew, Simon, James, Andrew, John, Peter, Paul, James, Thomas, Philip, Jude and Matthew.
Notre Dame was a huge intellectual center.
The central part of the door depicts subjects taught at medieval universities : geometry (represented by the compass), dialectic (a pointed finger), medicine (herbs), philosophy (a book), astronomy (an astrolab), grammar (a young boy), and music (bells).
Fun fact : some people believe that the facade holds clues to the location of the philosopher's stone.
They see one apostle pointing to another statue, which in turn points to... a mysterious location!
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