GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

History of Architecture 3

Overview
lasted from the mid 12th century to the 16th
century
Preceded by Romanesque Architecture
The term Gothic - Stylistic Insult
characterized by cavernous spaces

Overview
expanse of walls broken up by overlaid
tracery
The rib vault, flying buttress, and pointed
(Gothic) arch allowed natural light
Stained-glass window panels

Elements of Gothic Architecture

Stained
Pointed Gargoyles
Glass
Windows
Pinnacles

Pointed
Arches

Ribbed
Vault

Flying
Butresses

Pointed Pinnacles
Add strength and stability to the structure
Enables buildings to reach new heights
To make it look light

Bourges Cathedral | France, Bourges

Chartres Cathedral| France, Chartres

one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture

Milan Cathedral| Italy, Milano

took nearly six centuries to complete

Gargoyles
derived from the old French word 'gargouille'
meaning throat
waterspout, projecting from an upper part of a
building
fortresses and castles - intimidate the
indigenous population

Gargoyles

Notre Dame Cathedral | France, Paris

Stained Glass Windows

Stained glass windows could now take up much
of the wall space
letting in light and color for a beautiful and
moving effect.

Bourges Cathedral | France, Bourges

Bourges Cathedral | France, Bourges

Basilica of Saint Denis | France

considered to be the first Gothic church.

Basilica of Saint Denis | France

Rose Stained Glass Windows

Pointed Arches
major feature
amazing strength and stability
Thinner walls Arches support the roof
tremendous flexibility
span greater distances Vaults Taller &
Wider

Santa Maria del Pi Barcelona

St. Mary of the Pine Tree

Westminster Abbey | England, London

the traditional place of coronation and burial site for
English monarchs

Chartres Cathedral| France, Chartres

Ribbed Vault
medieval builders thought that they helped
reduce the risk of fire
fires often spread - there were no fire fighters
to help extinguish the fire
made the inside of the cathedral have a
finished look

Sint-Niklaaskerk Church | Belgium

Exeter Cathedral | England

longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling

Reims Cathedral | Reims, France

where the kings of France were crowned

Chester Cathedral | England

where the kings of France were crowned

Flying Butresses
transmit the lateral forces pushing a wall
outwards down to the ground
to prop up a wall which may be leaning

Chartres Cathedral| France, Chartres

Bourges Cathedral | France, Bourges

Milan Cathedral| Italy, Milano

SOME FAMOUS GOTHIC BUILDINGS

Durham Cathedral

Cathedral of Cefal
In 1420, Portico was added between the two towers of
the faade

St. Denis Basilica

The flying buttresses, pointed arches and ribbed vault
were used as one unit for the first time in this cathedral.

Noyon Cathedral
first true Gothic Cathedral because of the heavy use of all
features that came to be known as Gothic

Wells Cathedral
first building of its kind to entirely dispense with the round
arches in favor of the pointed arch

The Notre Dame de Paris

one of the finest monumental buildings of French Gothic
style of Architecture.

The Notre Dame de Paris

Floor Plan

The Notre Dame de Paris

among the first buildings in the world to use the flying
buttress

END
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