2.

2 Gothic Architecture (Overview)

 Gothic architecture is an architectural style that flourished in Europe

during the Middle Ages. It first originated in 12th century France and
continued up until the 16th century spreading across the continent. It
evolved during the construction of great churches in the Paris region
in a move to create greater height, light and volume in the city's
buildings.
 The movement evolved from Romanesque architecture, a style which
favored features of Ancient Roman and Byzantine buildings
combined with local traditions. It was typically characterized by semi-
circular arches, thick walls, and sturdy pillars. Characteristics of
Gothic architecture were structures built from stone combined with
large expanses of glass, clustered columns, pointed spires, large
arches, intricate decoration, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses – a
specific form of buttress composed of an arched structure that
extends from the upper portion of a wall to a pier.
 The style was applied most famously to great cathedrals, abbeys and
churches around Europe. It is also the style of many castles, palaces,
town halls and universities. Grand, ornate and impressive, the
buildings of Gothic architecture signify a progression in technology
and building techniques. Here we take a tour of some of the most
impressive Gothic structures found across Europe.
source: Google Arts and CultureLinks to an external site.
 

Transition from Romanesque to Gothic

architecture
Elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture compared
Structural
# Romanesque Gothic D
element
The pointed Gothic arch v
1 Arches Round Pointed
wide, flattened form.
Ribbed vaults appeared in
2 Vaults Barrel or groin Ribbed
elaborated in the Gothic e
Thick, with small Wall structure diminshed
3 Walls Thinner, with large openings
openings of mullions supporting wi
Wall buttresses of low Wall buttresses of high projection, Complex Gothic buttresse
4 Buttresses
projection. and flying buttresses walls pierced with window
Round arches, Gothic windows varied fro
5 Windows Pointed arches, often with tracery
sometimes paired flamboyant patterns
Piers and Cylindrical columns, Cylindrical and clustered columns, Columns and piers develo
6
columns rectangular piers complex piers Gothic era
Gallery Two openings under an Two pointed openings under a The Gothic gallery becam
7
arcades arch, paired. pointed arch with the clerestory

2.2.1 Gothic Building Typologies

Palaces
Civic Buildings
Universities
Fortifications
Mosques
 Churches

Palaces
 The Gothic style was used in royal and papal residences as well as in
churches. Prominent examples include the Palais de la Cité Links to
an external site. the Louvre Palace Links to an external site.,
the Chateau de Vincennes Links to an external site. in Paris,
residences of the French kings, the Doge's Palace Links to an external
site. in Venice, and the Palace of the Kings of Navarre Links to an
external site. in Olite (1269–1512). Another is the Palais des
Papes Links to an external site. (Palace of the Popes), the former
Papal residence in Avignon. It was constructed between 1252 and
1364, during the Avignon Papacy. Given the complicated political
situation, it combined the functions of a church, a seat of government
and a fortress.
 The Palais de la Cité Links to an external site. in Paris, close to Notre-
Dame de Paris, begun in 1119, which was the principal residence of
the French kings until 1417. Most of the Palais de la Cité is gone, but
two of the original towers along the Seine, of the towers, the vaulted
ceilings of the Hall of the Men-at-Arms (1302), (now in
the Conciergerie; and the original chapel, Sainte-Chapelle, can still be
seen.
 
 The Doge's Palace Links to an external site.  Links to an external site.(Italian: Palazzo
Ducale; Venetian: Pałaso Dogal) is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the
main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy. (Photo from Wikiwand  Links to an
external site.)
 
Civic Buildings
 In the 15th century, following the late Gothic period or flamboyant
style, elements of Gothic decoration developed churches began to
appear in the town halls of northern France, in Flanders and in the
Netherlands. The Rouen Courthouse in Normandy is representative
of Flamboyant Gothic in France. The Hôtel de Ville
of Compiègne Links to an external site. has an imposing Gothic bell
tower, featuring a spire surrounded by smaller towers, and its
windows are decorated with ornate accolades or ornamental arches.
Similarly, flamboyant town halls were found in Arras Links to an
external site., Douai Links to an external site., and Saint-Quentin,
Aisne Links to an external site., and in modern Belgium,
in Brussels and Ghent and Bruges.
 Notable Gothic civil architecture in Spain includes the Silk
Exchange Links to an external site. in Valencia Links to an external
site., Spain (1482–1548), a major marketplace, which features a main
hall with twisting columns beneath its vaulted ceiling.
 
 The  Llotja de la Seda  Links to an external site.or the "Silk Exchange" is a late Valencian
Gothic  Links to an external site.-style civil building in Valencia, Spain. (1482-1548) (Photo
from Wikipedia)
 

Universities
  The Gothic style was adopted in the late 13th to 15th centuries in
early English university buildings, due largely to the close connection
between the universities and the church.  The oldest existing example
n England is probably the Mob Quad Links to an external
site. of Merton College at Oxford University, constructed between
1288 and 1378.  While most of the architecture was copied from
churches, The architecture at Balliol was taken from castle
architecture, with battlements, rather than from church
models. King's College Chapel Links to an external site. at Cambridge
University Links to an external site. featured another distinctive
English Gothic feature, the Tudor arch Links to an external site..
 Other notable European examples include Collegio di Spagna Links to
an external site. in the University of Bologna, built during the 14th
and 15th centuries; the Collegium Carolinum Links to an external
site. of the Charles University in Prague in Bohemia; the Escuelas
mayores Links to an external site. of the University of Salamanca in
Spain; and the Collegium Maius Links to an external site. of
the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland.
 
Mob Quad  Links to an external site. is a four-sided group of buildings from the 13th and 14th
centuries in  Merton College, Oxford  Links to an external site., surrounding a small lawn. It is
often claimed to be the oldest quadrangle in Oxford.  (Photo from Wikipedia  Links to an
external site.)
 
 

Fortifications
  In the 13th century, the design of the castle (French: château fort)
evolved in response to contact with the more sophisticated
fortifications of the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world during
the Crusades. These new fortifications were more geometric, with a
central high tower called a keep Links to an external
site. (French: donjon) which could be defended even if the curtain
walls of the castle were breached. The donjon of the Château de
Vincennes Links to an external site., begun by Philip VI of France, was
a good example. It was 52 meters (171 ft) high, the tallest military
tower in Europe. A new kind of fortification was
called Phillipienne after the crusading king Philip II of France.
 Towers, usually round, were placed at the corners and along the walls
in the Phillipienne castle, close enough together to support each
other. The walls had two levels of walkways on the inside,
a crennellated Links to an external site. parapet Links to an external
site. with merlons Links to an external site., and
projecting machicolations Links to an external site. from which
missiles could be dropped on besiegers. The upper walls also had
protected protruding balconies, échauguettes  Links to an external site.
(a.k.a. bartizan or garita) and bretèches  Links to an external site., from
which soldiers could see what was happening at the corners or on the
ground below. In addition, the towers and walls were pierced
with arrowslits Links to an external site., which sometimes took the
form of crosses to enable a wider field of fire for archers and
crossbowmen.
 Castles were surrounded by a deep moat, spanned by a single
drawbridge. The entrance was also protected by a grill of iron which
could be opened and closed. The walls at the bottom were often
sloping, and protected with earthen barriers. One good surviving
example is the Château de Dourdan Links to an external site.,
near Nemours.
 After the end of the Hundred Years War (1337–1453), with
improvements in artillery, the castles lost most of their military
importance. They remained as symbols of the rank of their noble
occupants; the narrowing openings in the walls were often widened
into the windows of bedchambers and ceremonial halls. The tower of
the Château de Vincennes became a royal residence.
 
 The Château de Vincennes  Links to an external site. is a massive 14th and 17th
century French royal fortress in the town of Vincennes, to the east of Paris. (Photo
from  Wikipedia  Links to an external site.)
 
The    Links to an external site.Alcázar of Segovia  Links to an external site.("Segovia Fortress")
is a medieval castle located in the city of Segovia, Spain. (Photo from L. Dolores, May 2015)

Mosques
There are a few mosques in Gothic style. They are Latin Catholic churches
converted into mosques. The conversion implied compromises since Latin
churches are oriented towards the East and mosques are oriented towards
Mecca.
 The Arap Mosque Links to an external
site. in Galata, Istanbul, Turkey.
 Fethija Mosque Links to an external site., in Bihać, Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
  Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque Links to an external site.,
in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus. It has been later restored in the
Gothic style by British architects.
 Selimiye Mosque,  Links to an external site.Nicosia, Northern Cyprus.
 

The Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque originally known as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and

later as the Saint Sophia Mosque of Mağusa, is the largest medieval building
in Famagusta, Cyprus. Built between 1298 and c. 1400, it was consecrated as a
Catholic cathedral in 1328. The cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman
Empire captured Famagusta in 1571 and it remains a mosque to this day. (Photo
from Wikipedia  Links to an external site.)
 
 For further reading:  Islamic Mosques & Gothic Christian Cathedrals  Links to an
external site.by Blackburn Art History

2.2.2 Examples of Gothic

Architecture in Europe

There are examples of extraordinary Gothic cathedrals throughout Europe, each rich
with its own history and unique style. Some have undergone years of reconstruction to
support their visually-impressive framework. Below is a list of some of the most
remarkable Gothic cathedrals that still stand to this day.
source: https://www.invaluable.com/blog/gothic-architecture/Links to an external site.
 

Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame Cathedral)

 
 Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris, France.

The Notre Dame de Paris is perhaps the most notable example of Gothic
architecture. This cathedral was built between 1163 and 1345, undergoing
various alterations throughout its existence. Its famous twin towers reach over
220 feet with almost 400 steps in total.
 
 
 

Canterbury Cathedral
 Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, Kent.

The history of this cathedral dates back to the 6th century, but it was rebuilt in
1070 and again later in a Gothic style. It is one of the oldest and most famous
structures in England. In fact, the cathedral was home to Britain’s first running
water supplies, created in 1165.
 

Reims Cathedral
 
 Reims Cathedral, Reims, France.

This Roman Catholic cathedral in Reims, France began construction in 1211

and was intended to replace an earlier church destroyed by a fire in 1210. It
was built on the site of 25 coronations of the kings of France. The construction
of its decorative, Gothic elements lasted nearly 80 years.
 
 

Amiens Cathedral

Amiens Cathedral, Amiens, France.

 The largest Gothic cathedral built in France during the 13th century, Amiens
Cathedral is known for its impressive dimensions and stylistic unity. It was the
largest of the three great Gothic cathedrals built in France during the 13th
century, and still stands as the tallest today.
 

Cologne Cathedral
 

Cologne Cathedral, Köln, Germany.

The Cologne Cathedral is located in Köln, Germany, and was the tallest
structure in the world from 1880 to 1884. Though construction started in
1248, it was abandoned in 1473 only to be resumed in the 19th century. The
cathedral covers an impressive 86,111 square feet, and can fit more than
20,000 people.
 
 

Milan Cathedral
 

Milan Cathedral, Milan, Italy.

This Italian cathedral is one of the largest in the world, with construction
beginning in 1386 by Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo and spanning almost six
centuries. It is characterized by its facade which extends into an array of spires
and pinnacles. There are 3,159 statues on this building, more than any other in
the world.
 
 
 Seville Cathedral
 

Seville Cathedral, Seville, Spain.

Completed in the 16th century, this grandiose cathedral is one of the most
famous Roman Catholic cathedrals in Spain. It was built on the site of the
12th-century Almohad mosque, which was intended to demonstrate the city’s
power and wealth.
Gothic architectural styles originated in the 12th century, and since, its
influences have transcended all forms of art. Gothic furniture and chairs with
their high backs, dragon and gargoyle prints, and ornate designs as well as
sculptures and other media are widely collected and displayed throughout
modern homes. The profound intricacies and architectural advancements of
the era continue to live on through the buildings and cathedrals still intact
throughout Europe.