GOTHIC

ARCHITECTURE
History of Architecture 02
WHAT

Gothic architecture is a European style of architecture that

values height and exhibits an intricate and delicate aesthetic.
Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be
found in churches, cathedrals, and other similar buildings in
Europe and beyond.
HISTORY

Gothic architecture originated in France—where it was originally called

"Opus Francigenum," or "French Work." Beginning in the mid-12th century,
advancements in structural engineering enabled French builders to create
massive structures. Some of the key elements of Gothic architecture—like
large, stained glass windows and vaulted arches—allowed ample natural light
into the structures, despite their massive size and height. This style dominated
European architecture—especially structures built by the Roman Catholic
church—until the 16th century, when it became known as Gothic architecture.
HISTORY

• THE HIGH GOTHIC YEARS, which lasted from 1250 to 1300

and was first introduced by Chartres Cathedral in France. This
time period was defined by Rayonnant style, or highly ornate
decorations on the buildings' exterior. Germany, Spain, and
Britain created their own variations of Rayonnant Gothic
architecture over the next several decades.
HISTORY

• THE LATE GOTHIC YEARS, which lasted from the 15th to 16th
centuries. During this time, Germany produced massively tall
churches with vaulted ceilings. British Perpendicular Gothic
architecture (identified by a focus on vertical lines) and French
Flamboyant style (extremely elaborate exterior decoration) were
popular during this time as well.
HISTORY

Although Gothic architecture has many Romanesque characteristics,

Gothic builders abandoned the very thick, solid walls produced by
the Romans. Why? In order to build extremely tall structures, walls
had to be thinner and weigh less. What's more, Gothic-era builders
used flying buttresses—or an inclined beams that support the weight
of a structure—in order to build structures that appeared to touch
the sky.
CHARACTERISTICS

1. STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

It's common to find stained glass windows in places of worship, but
they're extremely prevalent in Gothic churches and cathedrals. The
windows are usually very tall and arched, or round, and were
intended to let in as much natural light as possible. You'll often find
tracery, a decorative, stone support, as well as biblical scenes in
Gothic stained glass windows.
CHARACTERISTICS

2. POINTED ARCHES
Rather than using round, Romanesque arches, Gothic builders built
tall, thin, pointed arches. Inspired by Islamic architectural styles,
Gothic pointed arches accentuated ceiling heights, accommodated
vaulted ceilings, and symbolically pointed towards the heavens.
You'll also find these types of arches in Islamic architecture.
CHARACTERISTICS

3. RIBBED VAULTS
In order to build extremely tall structures with tall windows, Gothic
architects began to use ribbed vaults—or arched vaults placed
parallel to each other to support a rounded roof—rather than
traditional vaulted beams. Not only did these intersecting vaults
create visual interest, but also they offered more support to tall
Gothic structures.
CHARACTERISTICS

4. FLYING BUTTRESSES
Flying buttresses were another Gothic-era advancement that helped
support tall, heavy Gothic buildings. Flying buttresses are shaped
like half of an arch and offer support by redistributing weight from a
higher, heavy level, to a lower, more solid level.
CHARACTERISTICS

5. DECORATIVE ELEMENTS/ORNATE DECORATION

Gothic architecture is characterized by extremely ornate exterior
decoration. Embellished columns, moldings, statues, pinnacles,
spires, and gargoyles that spout water are commonly found in Gothic
architecture.
Notable Buildings Built in the 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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

BASILICA OF SAINT-DENIS
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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS
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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

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 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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

REIMS CATHEDRAL
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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

REIMS CATHEDRAL
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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

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.
Notable Buildings Built in the Gothic Style

AMIENS CATHEDRAL
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.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

The Gothic style wasn't limited to just France. This type of

ornate architecture spread across Europe, finding a foothold
in Italy, Germany, Spain, and England. Though each country
gave the style its own twist, international Gothic still retains
the basic elements found in France.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

MILAN CATHEDRAL
The long history of the Milan Cathedral spans nearly 600 years, with
construction beginning in 1386 and finishing in 1965. It's a
wonderful example of how Gothic architecture transformed outside
of France. The building is most well-known for its façade, which has
over 90 gargoyles, 135 spires, and about 3,400 sculptures.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

MILAN CATHEDRAL
The long history of the Milan Cathedral spans nearly 600 years, with
construction beginning in 1386 and finishing in 1965. It's a
wonderful example of how Gothic architecture transformed outside
of France. The building is most well-known for its façade, which has
over 90 gargoyles, 135 spires, and about 3,400 sculptures.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

WESTMINSTER ABBEY
London's iconic Westminster Abbey took its current form under the
eye of Henry III. He initiated construction in 1245 and had the abbey
church built in an Anglo-French Gothic style. It includes all of the
classic Gothic features, including flying buttresses, rib vaults, rose
windows, and pointed arches.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

WESTMINSTER ABBEY
The church, which has been the home to every English and British
monarch since 1066 continues to play an important role in British
culture.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL

Located in Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a combination of
Romanesque and Gothic styles. It features an impressive spire that
dominates the skyline, but is most well-known for its colorful roof.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL

Covered in 230,000 glazed tiles, the roof has a zig-zag pattern and a
mosaic of a double-headed eagle. The cathedral also has 22 bells, 18
altars, and a massive stone pulpit that is a fine example of Gothic
sculpture.
Gothic Architecture in Europe

SEVILLE CATHEDRAL
Spain's Seville Cathedral is not only the largest Gothic church in the
world, but the largest cathedral in the world. Completed in the early
16th century, it's known for its immense size, ornate tracery
stonework, and the use of a former mosque minaret as a bell tower.
Source:

What is Gothic Architecture?

By Christie Donnelly
What We Can Learn From the Exquisite
History and Ornate Aesthetic of
Gothic Architecture
By Jessica Stewart and Kelly Richman-Abdou on February 11, 2022