History of gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished in Europe during
the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture
and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Originating in 12th-century
France and lasting into the 16th century, Gothic architecture was known during
the period as Opus Francigenum ("French work") with the term Gothic first
appearing during the later part of the Renaissance. Its characteristics include
the pointed arch, the ribbed vault (which evolved from the joint vaulting of
romanesque architecture) and the flying buttress. Gothic architecture is most
familiar as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and
churches of Europe. It is also the architecture of many castles, palaces, town
halls, guild halls, universities and to a less prominent extent, private dwellings,
such as dorms and rooms.
It is in the great churches and cathedrals and in a number of civic buildings that
the Gothic style was expressed most powerfully, its characteristics lending
themselves to appeals to the emotions, whether springing from faith or from
civic pride. A great number of ecclesiastical buildings remain from this period,
of which even the smallest are often structures of architectural distinction
while many of the larger churches are considered priceless works of art and
are listed with UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. For this reason a study of
Gothic architecture is largely a study of cathedrals and churches.
Classic Elements
While the Gothic style can vary according to
location, age, and type of building, it is often
characterized by 5 key architectural elements:
• large stained glass windows,
• pointed arches,
• ribbed vaults,
• flying buttresses, and
• ornate decoration.
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.
POINTED ARCHES
A primary feature of many religious structures, ample archways can be
found in most Gothic churches and cathedrals. Rather than the wide,
rounded arches characteristic of Romanesque buildings, however,
architects working in the Gothic style adapted the tall, thin pointed arches
found in Islamic architecture. This silhouette accentuated each cathedral's
height, symbolically pointed toward the sky, and accommodated similarly-
shaped vaulting.
RIBBED
VAULTS
In order to incorporate higher
ceilings and taller windows into
their designs, Gothic architects
utilized a new method of
structural support called ribbed
vaulting. Ribbed 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 criss-crossed
constructions offer increased
support for the sky-high
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 water spouts.
