Famous Gothic Structures

From the 12th to the 16th centuries, Gothic architecture was one of the most popular styles in
Europe.Various architectural movements and styles have drawn inspiration from the gothic
architectural style since that time. It is a style distinguished by vaulted ceilings and tracery-
overlaid walls.

1. Chartres Cathedral
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Chartres Cathedral is regarded as one of Europe's most famous examples of gothic architecture
from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Roman Catholic Church built the cathedral to serve as the
official seat of the Bishop of Chartres. The Chartres Cathedral, located just north of Paris in
central France, is regarded as one of the most important churches in the world. It is a significant
historical landmark in this region of France, as well as one of the country's most impressive
architectural works from any era.

2. Cologne Cathedral
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This cathedral is similar to the Chartres Cathedral in many ways, but it also has unique
characteristics that set it apart from other works built during earlier or later periods.
The Cologne Cathedral has a similar appearance to the Chartres Cathedral on the front-facing
section that faces west. This massive church was constructed during the reign of the Holy Roman
Emperor and was intended to serve as a place of worship for the emperor. Construction on the
project began in 1248 and lasted for decades before coming to a halt around 1560 A.D. Due to a
variety of factors, the builders were forced to abandon the structure.

3. Notre Dame de Paris

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Notre Dame de Paris is one of the world's most famous cathedrals and churches. Every year,
visitors from all over the world flock to Paris, France, and one of the city's main attractions is the
Notre Dame Cathedral.
It is located in the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité, a middle island section of the Seine River.
This massive Roman Catholic cathedral is one of the most well-known examples of architects
employing architectural innovations such as the rib vault and the flying buttress.
The construction of Notre Dame de Paris began in 1163 A.D. Bishop Maurice de Sully was
appointed to oversee the project's initial stages.

4. Reims Cathedral
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The historic city of Reims, France, is home to the Reims Cathedral. Notre-Dame de Reims is the
official name, which translates to "Our Lady of Reims" in English.
The cathedral has a plethora of gothic architectural features and was a church that was officially
dedicated to the Virgin Mary upon completion. The Reims Cathedral was also the traditional
location for the coronation of France's kings.
In 1211 A.D., construction on what is now known as the Reims Cathedral began. The massive
cathedral, on the other hand, was built on the site of an existing church that is thought to date
back to the 5th century A.D. and was most likely founded around 425 A.D. by Bishop Nicasius.

5. Milan Cathedral
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The Milan Cathedral is located in Milan, Italy, in a city that once functioned as its own sovereign
state. The Milan Cathedral is the largest church in Italy and arguably the most ornately decorated
of any church in the country, including Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
The construction of the Milan Cathedral began in 1386, but the builders encountered numerous
obstacles over the centuries that delayed and stalled any progress on the structure for far longer
than anyone had anticipated.
The Milan Cathedral is well known for the detailed and beautiful statues that sit along the top of
the structure, and it is considered one of the greatest works of Gothic architecture.
6. Westminster Abbey
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This large, ornately decorated church is the site of many official ceremonies in England,
including weddings, funerals, and even the coronation of kings and queens.
The church was founded in 1062, but construction on Westminster Abbey did not begin until
1245, under King Henry III's orders; the church was not affiliated with the Roman Catholic
denomination and is now known as the Church of England.
The main cathedral structure was built over several decades, but Westminster Abbey was mostly
finished in 1269.
Various additions and upgrades have been made over the centuries, but this church remains one
of the world's most prominent gothic churches.

7. Basilica of Saint-Denis
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Saint-Denis, located on the northern outskirts of Paris, is one of France's most historically
significant cities. Another famous building in this city is the Basilica of Saint-Denis, which is
known for its gothic architectural characteristics and qualities.
The Basilica of Saint-Denis became a place of pilgrimage for many Catholics because it was the
site of a necropolis containing the tombs of all of France's kings dating back to Louis XVIII.
Construction on the Basilica of Saint-Denis began in the late 12th century and was completed in
stages over the course of France's history. This church is regarded as one of the most important
early Gothic works of the medieval period.
8. Florence Cathedral
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The Florence Cathedral is one of Italy's most well-known churches for a variety of reasons, but it
is also one of the most impressive gothic structures still standing.
The massive dome of the cathedral is the world's largest masonry dome, and this beautiful church
attracts millions of visitors each year.
The Florence Cathedral's construction began in 1296, at the height of the gothic architectural
style's popularity in Europe. The project would take nearly two centuries to complete before
being completed in 1436.
Arnolfo di Cambio, one of Italy's most famous architects and builders, is credited with much of
the design of the Florence Cathedral.
9. Canterbury Cathedral
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Canterbury Cathedral, located in Canterbury, Kent, is one of England's most famous structures.
The current structure was built on top of an existing church that dates back to the late sixth
century.
Construction on Canterbury Cathedral began in 1070, but it wasn't until the 1170s that much of
the church's gothic features were added.
10. Amiens Cathedral
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The Amiens Cathedral is one of the world's most distinctive gothic-style churches, as well as one
of the most famous historic sites in northern France.
The cathedral is built on a ridge overlooking the River Somme and has a stunning front-facing
facade.
Construction on the Amiens Cathedral began in 1220 and was completed in 1270, a remarkable
achievement for builders at the time.

This Gothic cathedral is twice the size of Notre Dame de Paris and is the largest in France.

Symobolism/Functions of each part

LARGE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Stained glass windows can be found in many places of worship, but they are especially common
in Gothic cathedrals. These kaleidoscopic windows, which are typically tall and arched 'lancet'
windows or round 'rose' windows with meticulously cut colored glass, are larger than those
found in other types of churches. This enabled them to admit more dazzling light.
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Gothic stained-glass windows also frequently feature tracery, a decorative type of stone support,
and detailed scenes from Biblical stories.
POINTED ARCHES
Archways are a prominent feature of many religious structures, and can be found in most Gothic
churches and cathedrals. Rather than the wide, rounded arches found in Romanesque
architecture, Gothic architects adapted the tall, thin pointed arches found in Islamic architecture.
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This silhouette accentuated each cathedral's height, symbolically pointed toward the sky and
accommodated similarly-shaped vaulting.
RIB VAULTS
Gothic architects used rib vaulting, a new method of structural support, to incorporate higher
ceilings and taller windows into their designs. Rib vaulting employs intersecting barrel vaults—
arches placed parallel to one another to support a rounded roof.
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These crisscrossed constructions not only have a more decorative aesthetic than traditional barrel
vaults, but they also provide more support for sky-high buildings.
FLYING BUTTRESSESS
In addition to these advanced vaulting techniques, Gothic architects used another unique
structural support method: flying buttresses. The weight of the heavy roof was redirected to a
lower, more solid level by these projecting stone structures.
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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
The presence of ornate decorative elements is another feature of Gothic architecture. These
include ornate colonnades and colonettes, sculptural moldings, statues of saints and historical
figures, pinnacles and spires, and gargoyles, which are grotesque figures that double as water
spouts.
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HASTYN SHANE M. BORINEZ