GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Medieval Architecture (12th century Europe)

Gothic Architecture

Authentic Gothic revival during the mid-18th century

brought to the forefront many European ecclesiastical
and university structures.

The style displays overtones of spiral work and

steeples, columns and extravagant ceilings and pointed
roof designs.

Gothic architecture is common to most surviving

cathedrals, churches and abbeys of Europe.
 Elements of the Gothic Architecture

Pointed Stained Gothic Gothic Flying

Pinnacles Gargoyles Glass Arch Vault Buttresses
Windows
Pointed Pinnacles
Add strength and Enables buildings
stability to the to reach new
structure heights

To make it look
light
Pointed Pinnacles
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges
Pointed Pinnacles
Cathedral, Chartres; France, Chartres
Pointed Pinnacles >>>
Duomo, Milano; Italy, Milano
Gargoyles
The origins 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.
Gargoyles
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris
Gargoyles
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris
Gargoyles >>>
Stained Glass Windows
Stained Glass Window
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges
Stained Glass Window
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges
Stained Glass Windows
Basilique Saint-Denis; France
Rose Stained Glass Window >>>
Basilique Saint-Denis; France
Gothic Arch

The Gothic architects and The walls of Gothic

The Medieval Gothic Arch builders discovered the buildings could be thinner
was a major feature of amazing strength and because the weight of the
the architecture of the stability of using pointed roof was supported by
Middle Ages. arches. the arches rather than the
walls.

The arch could not only Thinner walls had wider

The use of the Gothic support greater weights window openings which
arch gave the builders but could also could span encouraged the use of
tremendous flexibility. greater distances, stained glass and the
allowing vaults to be magnificent Gothic Rose
taller and wider. Windows.
Gothic Arch
Santa Maria del Pi Barcelona
Gothic Arch
Cathedral, Chartres; France, Chartres
Gothic Arch >>>
Grace Cathedral , France
Gothic Vault

The reasons that

the cathedrals had That was really
so many of these good because fires Also, it made the
vaulted roofs is often spread and inside of the
because the there were no fire cathedral have a
medieval builders fighters to help finished look.
thought that they extinguish the fire.
helped reduce the
risk of fire.
Gothic Vault
Gothic (Ribbed) Vault
Guildford Cathedral: Britain
Romanesque (Barrel) Vault
Barrel Vault
Gothic (Ribbed) Vault
Gothic (Ribbed) Vault
Exeter Cathedral, England
Gothic (Ribbed) Vault >>>
Basilique Saint-Denis; France
Flying Butresses
Flying Buttresses
Cathedral at Chartres. France
Flying Buttresses
Flying Buttresses >>>
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges
THE END.
Prepared by: JC de Egurrola (2010)