Gothic Architecture

Home > History by Chronology > Medieval period > Gothic Architecture

An architectural style that flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. Gothic architecture is characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

Historical Context: Understand the historical background of the medieval period in Europe and how Gothic architecture played a vital role in the development of the period.
Characteristics of Gothic Architecture: Learn about the features of Gothic architecture, such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and ornate decoration.
Gothic Cathedrals: Gain knowledge about the major Gothic cathedrals in Europe, including Notre-Dame, Chartres, and Salisbury Cathedral.
Gothic Art and Sculpture: Explore the elaborate Gothic art and sculptures, including sculpted figures, religious icons, and stained glass windows.
Gothic Mosaic Art: Understand the importance of Gothic mosaic art in the creation of Gothic cathedrals, including the intricate patterns and designs.
Regional Variations: Explore the differences in Gothic architecture, such as Italian Gothic, French Gothic, and English Gothic.
Social and Political Significance: Learn about the social and political implications of the Gothic architecture, and its role in serving the monarchy and the church.
Gothic Revival: Discover the revival of Gothic architecture in the 19th century, and how it continued to influence the architectural style in Europe and America.
Gothic Castles: Explore the Medieval castles that display Gothic architecture.
Gothic City Design and Planning: Understand how Gothic architecture influenced the planning and design of medieval cities, through city walls, streets, and squares.
Early Gothic (12th-13th century): Characterized by slight pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and massive columns with capitals.
High Gothic (13th century): Characterized by pointed arches, main vaults, piers, and flying buttresses.
Rayonnant (late 13th century): Characterized by highly decorated and intricate, lace-like tracery carved into the stonework.
Flamboyant (14th century): Characterized by its highly decorative and flamboyant features, including ornate tracery, elaborate moldings, and curving lines.
Perpendicular (late 14th and early 15th century): Characterized by its vertical lines, rectangular windows with pointed arches, and emphasis on perpendicular lines in the tracery.
Gothic Revival (19th century): Characterized by its emulation of medieval Gothic architecture, including pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and ornate tracery, often used in the construction of churches and other buildings.
Decorated Gothic (14th century): Characterized by its elaborate and intricate ornamentation, including delicate tracery, intricate moldings, and curving lines.
Early English (12th-13th century): Characterized by rounded arches, simple mouldings, and alternating pillars and columns.
Southern French Gothic (13th century): Characterized by its lightness and elegance, including tall thin columns and intricate, decorative tracery.
"prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas."
"It evolved from Romanesque architecture"
"It originated in the Île-de-France and Picardy regions of northern France."
"The style at the time was sometimes known as opus Francigenum (lit. 'French work')."
"The term Gothic was first applied contemptuously during the later Renaissance, by those ambitious to revive the architecture of classical antiquity."
"The defining design element of Gothic architecture is the pointed or ogival arch."
"The use of the pointed arch in turn led to the development of the pointed rib vault and flying buttresses, combined with elaborate tracery and stained glass windows."
"At the Abbey of Saint-Denis, near Paris, the choir was reconstructed between 1140 and 1144, drawing together for the first time the developing Gothic architectural features."
"a new architectural style emerged that emphasized verticality and the effect created by the transmission of light through stained glass windows."
"Christian ecclesiastical architecture, Gothic cathedrals and churches, abbeys, parish churches, castles, palaces, town halls, guildhalls, universities, and private dwellings."
"Many of the finest examples of medieval Gothic architecture are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites."
"With the development of Renaissance architecture in Italy during the mid-15th century, the Gothic style was supplanted by the new style."
"Gothic continued to flourish and develop into the 16th century. A series of Gothic revivals began in mid-18th century England, spread through 19th-century Europe..."
"...continued, largely for churches and university buildings, into the 20th century." Quotes from the paragraph that answer the questions have been provided throughout the responses.