HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2:

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Salvia, Gay Eunice E.

Table of Contents

I. BACKGROUND......................................................................................................................3

II. DESIGN ELEMENTS..........................................................................................................4

III. NOTABLE BUILDINGS BUILT IN GOTHIC STYLE......................................................7

IV. CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................12

V. REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................13
I. BACKGROUND

The Gothic style of architecture and art originated in the Middle Ages and was

prevalent in Europe between the mid-12th century and the 16th century. It was

heavily ornate and conceptual, with its architecture characterized by high buildings,

intricate aesthetics, cavernous spaces and expansive walls. It is rooted in French

architecture but can be found all over Europe and even in other continents. The style

was originally referred to as “French Work” (Opus Francigenum), and was used

extensively by religious bodies, especially the Roman Catholic Church.

The Gothic style was an evolution from Romanesque, which was marked by its many

arches, vaulted ceilings and smaller stained-glass windows. The Gothic style took

these features and exaggerated them, increasing the scale of arches and the magnitude

of the windows. The walls of the buildings, however, became thinner and were

supported by flying buttresses to assist the architects in achieving structures that

appeared to be closer to the heavens.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, advances in engineering enabled architects to design

and complete increasingly huge buildings. Features such as the flying buttress, rib

vaulted pointed arch – known as the Gothic arch – were used to support very tall

buildings and allow in as much natural light as possible. Stained glass windows

allowed colored light into vast interiors.

II. DESIGN ELEMENTS

 POINTED ARCH The most fundamental element of the Gothic style of

architecture is the pointed arch, which was likely borrowed from Islamic

architecture that would have been seen in Spain at this time. The pointed arch

relieved some of the thrust, and therefore, the stress on other structural

elements. It then became possible to reduce the size of the columns or piers

that supported the arch.

 LARGE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

While stained glass windows are found in many places of worship, they are

particularly prevalent in Gothic cathedrals. Featuring meticulously cut colored

glass, these kaleidoscopic windows—which are typically either tall and arched

‘lancet' windows or round ‘rose' windows—are larger than those found in

other types of churches. This allowed them to let in more dazzling light.
 Gothic stained-glass windows also frequently feature tracery, a decorative

type of stone support, and detailed scenes from Biblical stories.

 RIB VAULTS

In order to incorporate higher ceilings and taller windows into their designs,

Gothic architects utilized a new method of structural support called rib

vaulting. Rib vaulting involves the use of intersecting barrel vaults—arches

placed parallel to one another in order to support a rounded roof.

 In addition to showcasing a more decorative aesthetic than traditional barrel

vaults, these crisscrossed constructions offer increased support for the sky-

high buildings.

 FLYING BUTTRESSES

On top of these advanced vaulting techniques, Gothic architects employed

another unique method of structural support: flying buttresses. These

projecting stone structures reinforced the buildings by redistributing the

weight of the heavy roof to a lower, more solid level.

Flying buttresses ensured the cathedrals' integrity so that architects did not

need to sacrifice the thin walls and large windows distinctive of the Gothic

style.

 ORNATE DECORATION

A final feature found in Gothic architecture is the presence of ornate

decorative elements. These include embellished colonnades and colonettes,

 sculptural moldings, statues of saints and historical figures, pinnacles and

spires, and gargoyles, grotesque figures that double as waterspouts.

III. NOTABLE BUILDINGS BUILT IN GOTHIC STYLE

Gothic buildings can be found in cities all over France and across Europe. Notable

sites in France are Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, the Basilica of

Saint-Denis, Amiens Cathedral, and Reims Cathedral.

 BASILICA OF SAINT-DENIS
 This medieval abbey church underwent a dramatic transformation that helped

define Gothic architecture. Under the watchful eye of Abbot Suger, portions of

the church were rebuilt in the mid-12th century. This included the west façade,

where the old building was demolished to make way for a new, innovative

piece of architecture that used cutting-edge techniques.

Vertical buttresses divided up the façade, while large window arches allowed

for ornate sculptural decoration. This was a huge departure from Romanesque

façades and is the reason why Saint-Denis is known as the first Gothic

building.

 NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS

When most people think of Gothic architecture, Notre Dame is the first church

that comes to mind. From its enormous rose windows to its flying buttresses
 and gargoyles, the cathedral exemplifies the Gothic style at its finest.

Construction on the church began in 1163 and its plans were influenced by the

revolutionary new architecture seen in Saint-Denis.

It was mostly completed by 1260 after flying buttresses were added to support

the weight of the roof. Renovations and reconstruction have continued

throughout the history of the church, which is one of Paris' most visited sites.

An unfortunate fire in 2019 destroyed the spire and much of the roof.

Reconstruction is ongoing with the building now having been secured.

Officials have promised that the building will be fully restored in time for the

2024 Paris Olympics.

 CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
 Due to the many fires that ravaged the building, Chartres Cathedral is an

interesting mix of early and late Gothic. For instance, on the north façade, the

right spire was created in a plainer, early Gothic style that contrasts heavily

with the left spire built in the 16th century. That spire was created in a

Flamboyant style, complete with ornate bar tracery and extra sculpture.

Chartres actually has three façades which are filled with hundreds of

sculptures that tell biblical narratives.

The Cathedral was spared both during the French Revolution and World War

II thanks to the intervention of townspeople and an American colonel who

pushed back against orders to destroy it.

 REIMS CATHEDRAL
 A beautiful example of the High Gothic, the current iteration of Reims

Cathedral was built when a fire destroyed the early Gothic structure. In its

place went to a church that took Gothic to its limits. The west façade has

incredibly deep portals that allow for a complex sculptural program. This

sculpture would have allowed illiterate churchgoers to visually see what they

were unable to read. Above the central portal is a large rose window with thin

tracery. The level above the rose window is reserved for the gallery of kings,

which is made up of 56 statues that stand 15 feet high. The interior has

innovative four-part rib vaults that allow for a more uniform appearance while

increasing the height.

While Reims Cathedral was largely spared during the French Revolution, it

underwent extensive damage in World War I after occupying German troops

used it to house their wounded soldiers. Costly renovations in the 20th century

have restored it to its former glory.

 AMIENS CATHEDRAL
 Built over the course of just 50 years—a relatively short time in Gothic

architecture—the Amiens Cathedral is a wonderful example of the High

Gothic. It represents the apex of trying to reach for the heavens and stands as

France's largest cathedral. To put things in perspective, two Notre-Dame

Cathedrals could fit inside Amiens.

Construction began in 1220 after a fire destroyed the earlier Romanesque

cathedral. The church is particularly known for the quality of its sculpture on

the main façade.

IV. CONCLUSION

As both beautiful examples of age-old architecture and as places of worship, many

Gothic cathedrals remain popular destinations for tourists and pilgrims alike.

Additionally, given the spaciousness and captivating aesthetic of these buildings,

 many contemporary artists utilize Gothic cathedrals as the sites for their work,

including projection art, multimedia installations, and interactive light shows.

V. REFERENCES

Ray, D. (2023, July 3). A brief history of Gothic Architecture. ICON Magazine.

https://www.iconeye.com/design/a-brief-history-of-gothic-

architecture#:~:text=The%20Gothic%20style%20of%20architecture,cavernous

%20spaces%20and%20expansive%20walls.

Richman-Abdou, K. (2022, February 17). What we can learn from the exquisite

history and ornate aesthetic of Gothic architecture. My Modern Met.

https://mymodernmet.com/gothic-architecture-characteristics/