World's Longest Tapestry
The Apocalypse Tapestry in the Castle in the town of Angers (chateau d'Angers), France is the World's longest tapestry. The tapestry was originally 140 metres (459 feet) long out of which only 100 metre (328 feet) has survived today.
The tapestry depicts scenes from Book of Revelation (aka Apocalypse of John) - the last book of the Bible and was woven in Paris between 1373 and 1382. It was a gift by the merchant weaver Nicolas Bataille to the Duke Louis I of Anjou (second son of King John II of France). Later his grandson René I of Naples gifted it to the Cathedral at Angers where it was displayed on important
occasions.
occasions.
During the French Revolution, it was cut into several pieces and distributed to many persons for safekeeping. Towards the middle of nineteenth century the scattered pieces were gathered back and restored in the Cathedral. However 16 pieces (about 40 metres) were lost forever and the tapestry is now only 100 metre (328 feet) long.
The restored work was shifted in 1956 to its original home chateau d'Angers where it is on display in a long gallery specially created for it.
The tapestry which was woven from vegetable dyed wool is reversible i.e. its back is identical to the front side, also suffered decay due to exposure to bright light which has faded some of the dyed wool. The gallery where it is housed is now heavily curtained and dimly lit to prevent further damage to vegetable colours.
Details of the stories depicted in various panels can be seen in the French Wikipedia (English Translation).
Image from Flickr is by Pascal \o/
Image from Flickr is by afloden
Image from Flickr is by Max_au
Image from Flickr is by lizzk
Image from Flickr is by Kiritan Flux
Image from Wikimedia Commons is by Gribeco
Image from Wikimedia Commons is by Gribeco
Image from Wikimedia Commons is by Gribeco
View location in Google Earth / Goolgle Maps
Source of info: French Wikipedia (English Translation) / gofrance.about.com
2 comments:
Looking for maps, pictures and interesting stories for my new post, I found yours. I love maps, cartography. But I like the stories of remote sites, residents who do not live near you, other neighboring countries. I like the pictures say more than it seems. I like the geography of things, "the art of the earth", the images of casual living. Life without glasses. Your site is great to imagine this world. The world to come. The small event. I think I found a good blog. Thank you and good luck. A greeting from Barcelona.
jordi francesch
http://cartografic.wordpress.com/
Hi Jordi
Greetings from Lucknow, India and thank you for your comments.
I am happy that you liked my blog.
For me the whole World is a big global village and most of its residents are neighbours - just one click away!
Do keep visiting. Thanks once again.
All the best.
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