Gothic Architecture
Beginning in the mid-12th century and lasting into the 15th century, the Gothic style was the popular architectural style implemented throughout Europe. Each region in Europe developed its own take on the Gothic style, but all have a similar emphasis on vertical elements (such as pointed arches, spires, or upward-pointing triangles). Each structure was made from local or relatively local materials.
Building types:
Churches
Public buildings
Features/elements/characteristics:
Pointed arches
Spires
Triangles
Flying buttresses
Large windows
Elaborately detailed doorways
A focus on the vertical
Rose windows
Northern European Gothic
Amiens Cathedral. Photo by Welleschik. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized.
Amiens Cathedral or Notre-Dame d'Amiens. c. 1220-1266.
Amiens Cathedral. Photo by VincentdeMorteau.
CC BY-SA 2.5. Resized.
Watch this video on Amiens Cathedral.
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| Cologne Cathedral. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
Cologne Cathedral. c. 1248-1560, 1842-1880, 1950s restoration.
Watch this video on Cologne Cathedral's incredible windows.
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| Cologne Cathedral Front. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
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| Cologne Cathedral Outside. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
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| Cologne Cathedral Outside Detail. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
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| Cologne Cathedral Flying Buttresses. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
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| Cologne Cathedral Gargoyles. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
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| Cologne Cathedral Nave. Photo by Mark Bauer. 2012. |
Eastern European Gothic
St. Vitus Cathedral. Photo by Alvesgaspar. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized.
St. Vitus Cathedral. 1344-1929.
St. Vitus Cathedral. Photo by Alvesgaspar.
CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized.
The present St. Vitus Cathedral building in Prague, Czech Republic, has a long and complex history that shows us how complicated the history of architectural structures can be. The present cathedral was begun in 1344 but was still unfinished when the Hussite Wars caused an end to construction in the 1420s. After a 1541 fire, restoration work was done and a few Renaissance and Baroque elements were added, including the spire of the south tower. Only during the Gothic Revival period of the 1800s was the building finally finished to have its unified medieval Gothic appearance.
English Gothic
Gloucester Cathedral. Photo by Geni. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized.
Gloucester Cathedral. 1089-1499.
Photo by Zhurakocskyi.
Public Domain. Resized.
Gloucester Cathedral's vaulted ceiling.
Italian Gothic
Florence Cathedral. Photos by Mark Bauer. 2019.
Florence Cathedral. 1296-1436.
Watch this video on Florence Cathedral and its wonderful dome designed and built under the direction on Filippo Brunelleschi.
The facade of Florence Cathedral which was added between 1876 and 1887.
Inside the cathedral.
Looking up at the inside of the dome with its elaborate fresco painting. The fresco was painted by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari (with collaborators) in the late Renaissance period (between 1568 and 1579).
The herringbone pattern of the brickwork which helps hold the structure together.
