GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

INTRODUCTION

Gothic Architecture is an architectural style that flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. It evolved from
Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Originating in 12th century France and lasting into
the 16th century.

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.

A series of Gothic revivals began in mid-18th century England, spread through 19th century Europe and continued, largely for
ecclesiastical and university structures, into the 20th century.

Features Of Gothic Architecture-

Pointed Arches.
Flying buttress
High ceilings
Stained glassed windows
Ribbed vaults
Long beam- column create a sense of flying.
Gargoyles
Pointed pinnacles
 POINTED ARCHES
The Medieval Gothic Arch was a major feature of the architecture of the Middle Ages. The Gothic architects and
builders discovered the amazing strength and stability of using pointed arches .The wall of Gothic buildings could be
thinner because the weight of the roof was supported by, the arches rather than the walls The use of the Gothic arch
gave the builders tremendous flexibility .The arch could not only support greater weight but could also span greater
distances, allowing vaults to be taller and wider. Thinner walls had wider window openings which encouraged the use
of stained glass and the magnificent Gothic Rose Windows.

FLYING BUTTRESS
Buttress, also known as kongfuduo, is a supporting facility to share the pressure from the main walls. It has been largely
used in Roman Architecture. The original buttress was solid and covered by the roof. However, the buttress with Gothic
style is exposed out to be known as flying buttress. Due to the further requirements of the height, the role and
appearance of buttress have been greatly enhanced. It is covered with complicated decorates and elaborate carvings.

STAINED GLAASED WINDOW

Gothic architecture gradually abolishes the gallery and aisle and increases the size of the window. These windows are
high enough, almost to be used as the walls.The stained glass, covered with religious stories which help to illustrate the
doctrines to illiterate people is of high artistic achievement. There are two main colors, blue and red. Blue symbolizes
the heaven and red symbolizes the blood of Christ. The stained glass creates a mysterious but brilliant scene, which
express peoples longing for the kingdom of heaven.
 RIBBED VAULTS
Ribs were the extra support in the vaults. The roof and support system consisted of ribbed vault. They discovered that
if they use ribs in their vaults the ribs would support much of the weight of the roof. The areas in between the ribs
could be filled with much lighter stone than that had been used in the Romanesque barrel vaults.

If the ribs were capable of taking the weight of the roof there was no need for thicker walls, therefore the walls
become thinner, another difference from the Romanesque churches As there is not much pressure on the walls to
support the roof ( ribbed vaults and the flying buttresses support the weight), there is an opportunity of adding more
windows. Therefore the churches became brighter and airier.

Due to the support of the ribs and the buttresses builders could afford to make the roof higher. Less weight less likely
to collapse Another difference from Romanesque architecture.

GARGOYLES

The origin of the word gargoyle are derived from the old French word gargouille meaning throat .Gargoyles came
into gothic architecture in the early 13th century and are defined as a waterspout, projecting from an upper part of a
building to throw water clear of walls or foundations. Gargoyles are frightening and intimidating sculptures perfect
for the likes of great Lords and Kings who built elaborate fortresses and castles in order to crush and intimidate the
indigenous population.
GLIMPSE OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

The devil tempting the

Foolish Virgins

The south transept faade at York Minster

The longitudinal emphasis in

the nave of Walls

Windows in the Chapter House

at York Minster
 NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris or Notre Dame de Paris (Meaning 'Our Lady of Paris'
in French) is a Gothic cathedral located in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France..

The Notre Dame Cathedral with its sculptures and stained glass windows show the heavy
influence of naturalism, unlike that of earlier Romanesque architecture. It was one of
the very first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction took place throughout the Gothic
period.

Building work began on the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris way back in the 12th
century, it was not until some 300 years later construction finally came to an end. It is
now one of the most prominent cathedrals in France and one of the oldest ones too.
The length of time it took to build is evident through the various styles of architecture
that run through the building. Although it is predominantly French Gothic ,there are
areas that demonstrate the Renaissance and the Naturalism era of construction. These
varying styles add to the outstanding yet quirky beauty of the building .

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris didn't originally have flying buttresses included in its
design. But after the construction of the cathedral began, the thinner walls (popularized
in the Gothic style) grew ever higher and stress fractures began to occur as the walls
pushed outward. The cathedral's architects, in an effort to fix the problem, built
supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. The was
among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior
supports).

Over its vast history the Cathedral has suffered considerable damage, not least during
the French Revolution in 1786. Fortunately it was sympathetically restored and
continued to attract attention from around the world. The Cathedral has played host to
many religious ceremonies and historical events and despite their own religious beliefs
people of all different faiths and nationalities still marvel at it's unique grandeur.

In 1909 Joan of Arc was famously beatified in the Notre Dame Cathedral by Pope Pius
X. The brave young girl who told all she had experienced visions from God, went on to
assist the French in conflicts with English soldiers. The French trusted her word and
ultimately won many battles against England. As a big fan of the royals she also played a
part in the crowning of Charles Vll. However not everyone was convinced by her
religious visions and beliefs and she was later killed by Burundians' who accused her of
heresy and burned her at the stake. It was not until 1456 that her name was cleared and
she became known as an innocent martyr

The Notre Dame Cathedral is widely considered one of the finest examples of French
Gothic architecture in the world.. The name Notre Dame means "Our Lady" in French,
and is frequently used in the names of Catholic church buildings in Francophone
countries.The Notre Dame Cathedral is the actual cathedral of the Catholic archdiocese
of Paris: which is to say, it is the church which contains the official chair ("cathedra") of
the Archbishop of Paris, Andre Cardinal Vingt-Trois.

Within the Cathedral of Notre Dame there are vast displays of artwork, furniture and
many valuable items that mirror the Nio-Gothic design. Tourists are welcomed into the
cathedral to view and enjoy these pieces for a small entrance fee. They are also able to
attend Mass, which is held three times a day and a popular attraction for Christian
visitors.

Surrounding the Cathedral there are a number of stunning Parisian Hotels which are
fortunate enough to enjoy magnificent views of the cathedral in it's entirety.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame is probably best known for its relation to the story of the
Hunchback of Notre Dame, made famous by the numerous cartoons and movies inspired
by it. But it is the French Gothic Architecture that remains the biggest draw for visitors
from around the world, an unrivaled, perfect example to this day.