Description With the highest vaults and once the highest tower, St. Pierre of Beauvais pushed the limits of masonry construction so far that it collapsed twice during construction. The first time, the vaults of the apse and choir fell. Repairs were made, though construction was interrupted by the Hundred Year's War.
After the war, construction resumed. The vault was completed, and a huge 152 meter tower built over the crossing. Once again Beauvais' builders overstreched the limits of masonry construction and on Ascension Day (30 April 1593), after several years of leaning, the tower collapsed. Afterwards the cathedral was finished as is, minus tower and transept.
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