Which cathedral contains the medieval Tree of Jesse window made around 1144?

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Saint-Denis Basilica contains the medieval Tree of Jesse window made around 1144.

The Basilica of Saint-Denis, north of Paris, is closely associated with the development of Gothic architecture. During the rebuilding directed by Abbot Suger in the twelfth century, stained-glass windows became a major part of the building’s visual program. Among the surviving works is a Tree of Jesse window traditionally dated to about 1144.

A Tree of Jesse presents the genealogy of Jesus through a symbolic tree growing from Jesse, the father of King David. This subject allowed medieval artists to connect Old Testament kings and prophets with Christian theology in a single vertical composition.

Saint-Denis has undergone restoration and replacement over the centuries, so not every pane now seen is original. The basilica is also a royal necropolis containing the tombs of French monarchs, a fact that sometimes overshadows its pioneering role in stained-glass and Gothic design.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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