I : Introduction

Gothic architecture, the final phase of medieval architecture, is a style that originated in the 12th century with designs unrelated to classical antiquity. It includes key elements like pointed arches, rib vaults, flying buttresses, windows with tracery, and piers composed of colonnettes.

 

Gothic structures are distinct from Romanesque buildings as they use a skeletal system that transfers roof loads to discrete points, allowing large areas of wall to be opened for windows. The style emphasizes verticality, articulated but unified spaces, and a sense of openness. Pointed arches, probably influenced by Islamic architecture, provide design flexibility and less outward thrust. Rib vaults and flying buttresses also contribute to the structural innovation of Gothic architecture. The style integrates esthetic elements like unified compositions, vaulting ribs with wall shafts, and large windows adorned with tracery.

.

IN POINTS:

• Gothic architecture emerged in the 12th century without classical antiquity influence.

• Key elements of the Gothic style include pointed arches, rib vaults, flying buttresses, windows with tracery, and piers with colonnettes.

• Gothic structures use a skeletal system that allows more open wall space for windows compared to Romanesque buildings.

• The style emphasizes verticality, unified spaces, and openness.

• Pointed arches provide design flexibility and less outward thrust.

• Rib vaults and flying buttresses enhance structural innovation.

• Gothic architecture integrates esthetic elements like unified compositions, vaulting ribs with wall shafts, and large decorated windows.

​

​

II : Early Gothic

Early Gothic architecture originated in northern France around the Ile-de-France region. The Abbey Church of St. Denis, led by Abbot Suger, played a significant role in the development of the style. Suger sought to rebuild the overcrowded and decaying abbey, drawing inspiration from biblical descriptions of the Temple of Solomon and Hagia Sophia. He constructed a new west front and narthex, incorporating Norman and southern French sculptural traditions. The interior featured rib vaults springing from grouped piers and seven shallow radiating chapels with stained-glass windows, creating an airy and luminous interior. The success of the new choir at St. Denis influenced the construction of Gothic churches in the Ile-de-France region and beyond.

IN POINTS :

• Early Gothic architecture originated in northern France, particularly in the Ile-de-France region.

• The Abbey Church of St. Denis, led by Abbot Suger, played a pivotal role in the development of the Gothic style.

• Suger drew inspiration from biblical descriptions of the Temple of Solomon and Hagia Sophia.

• A new west front and narthex were constructed, incorporating Norman and southern French sculptural traditions.

• The interior featured rib vaults and seven shallow radiating chapels with stained-glass windows, creating an airy and luminous effect.

• The success of the new choir at St. Denis influenced the construction of Gothic churches in the Ile-de-France region and beyond.

• The Gothic style flourished in regions under the influence of the king of France's political sphere, while regions with weak royal control continued to use mature Romanesque architecture.

 

III : Early Gothic Cathedrals

 Early Gothic cathedrals witnessed an increase in the veneration ( تبجيل ) of the Virgin Mary, making her a prominent intercessor figure. Many cathedrals, such as Notre Dame in Paris and Laon Cathedral, were dedicated to her and featured sculptures and stained glass representing her.

Gothic depictions of the Last Judgment became more life-like and emotionally appealing compared to the abstract representations in Romanesque art. The cathedral of Notre Dame at Laon, completed around 1205, displayed cautious experimentation with Gothic techniques while retaining some Romanesque elements. Notre Dame in Paris completed around 1250, underwent modifications and expansions over the centuries but preserved its Early Gothic qualities on the interior, featuring innovative and ambitious designs.

 

IN POINTS :

• Early Gothic cathedrals saw an increased focus on the veneration ( تبجيل )  of the Virgin Mary.

• Cathedrals dedicated to Mary featured sculptures and stained glass representing her.

• Gothic depictions of the Last Judgment became more life-like and emotionally appealing compared to Romanesque art.

• The cathedral of Notre Dame at Laon displayed cautious experimentation with Gothic techniques while retaining some Romanesque elements.

• Notre Dame in Paris underwent modifications and expansions but preserved its Early Gothic qualities on the interior with innovative and ambitious designs.

IV: High Gothic

The incorporation of flying buttresses at Notre Dame in Paris integrated the three major structural components of Gothic, and redundant features from the Romanesque could be deleted from subsequent Gothic buildings. The period of tentative exploration was over, and the mature or High Gothic that followed saw the erection of churches with increasingly refined artistic and structural features.

​

V : Chartres And Bourges

The High Gothic period saw the emergence of notable cathedrals like Notre Dame at Chartres and St. Etienne at Bourges.

​

The cathedral of Notre-Dame at Chartres, completed between 1194 and 1220, integrated flying buttresses from the start, eliminating the need for galleries and simplifying the interior elevations. The interior featured larger clerestory windows and quadripartite vaulting. Chartres Cathedral's history involved several reconstructions and expansions, and it preserved much of its original stained glass, radiating a luminous atmosphere. The west-front doorways, known as the Royal Portals, display theological imagery.

 

On the other hand, the Cathedral of St. Etienne at Bourges, constructed from 1195 to 1250, presented an original adaptation of High Gothic vocabulary with double aisles, sexpartite vaults, and alternating major and minor piers. Despite its cost-effectiveness, the double-aisle design of Bourges was less prevalent than the more costly and visually dramatic single-aisle model seen in cathedrals like Chartres, Reims, Amiens, and Beauvais. Both Chartres and Bourges exemplify the refinement and maturity of High Gothic architecture during this period.

​

IN POINTS :

Chartres Cathedral:

• First monument of High Gothic, started with planned flying buttresses to eliminate galleries.

• Interior elevations simplified to a nave arcade, triforium passage, and enlarged clerestory windows.

• Quadripartite vaulting replaced sexpartite vaulting (over one bay instead of two).

• Sacred site with relics of the Virgin Mary, rebuilt after fires in the 12th century.

• Completed in 1220, with sculpted north and south transept porches finished by 1250.

• Glows inside with luminosity due to enlarged clerestory windows and plate tracery in rose windows.

• Slender and deeply undercut structural elements create a sense of lightness.

• Preserved about two-thirds of its original stained glass.

• West-front doorways, known as Royal Portals, exhibit theological imagery.

​

Bourges Cathedral:

• Conceptual contrast to Chartres, an original adaptation of High Gothic vocabulary.

• Double aisles flank the nave and choir with sexpartite vaults.

• Choir and nave vaults spring from alternating major and minor piers.

• The spatial effect of breadth and expansiveness, but shorter clerestory windows than Chartres.

• Efficient stone use, but its double-aisle design was less common afterward.

• Cathedrals built on the model of Bourges found in Spain and Italy.

• Milan Cathedral used a cross-section similar to Bourges for a high nave vault.

​

 

VI : Beauvais And Ste. Chapelle

In the early 13th century, builders of French cathedrals were determined to achieve impressive interior heights using Gothic technology. Chartres Cathedral boasted vaults rising about 34.4 meters over a 16.2-meter-wide nave, while Reims Cathedral reached approximately 37.2 meters in height over a 13.7-meter-wide nave. Amiens Cathedral surpassed them all with vaulting soaring to around 42.4 meters for the same nave width. The most daring venture was at Beauvais, where the choir vaults initially rose about 48.2 meters over a 13.7-meter-wide choir before collapsing and being rebuilt. Despite construction challenges and financial constraints, these cathedrals showcased the extraordinary verticality and intricate tracery that exemplified High Gothic architecture.

 

IN POINTS :

 

• Builders in the early 13th century France aimed to achieve soaring interior heights using Gothic technology.

• Chartres Cathedral: Vault height of about 34.4 meters over a 16.2-meter-wide nave.

• Reims Cathedral: Vault height of approximately 37.2 meters over a 13.7-meter-wide nave.

• Amiens Cathedral: Vault height of around 42.4 meters over a 13.7-meter-wide nave.

• Beauvais Cathedral (unfinished): Choir vaults initially rose about 48.2 meters before collapsing and being rebuilt.

• Challenges included structural instability and inadequate funding.

​

VII: English Gothic

The Gothic style originated in France but spread to other parts of Europe, including England, where it became the predominant architectural style until the fifteenth century. English builders developed their own Gothic aesthetic, with three overlapping phases:

1. Early English (1175-1265), was characterized by straightforward vaulting and lancet-shaped windows.

2. Decorated (1250-1370), featuring elaborated vaulting and intricate window tracery.

3. Perpendicular (1330-1540), known for its distinctively English panel tracery and fan-shaped vaulting.

IN POINTS :

• Gothic style spread to England, Germany, and Italy, becoming prominent in northern Europe until the 15th century.

• English Gothic architecture had three phases: Early English (1175-1265), Decorated (1250-1370), and Perpendicular (1330-1540).

• Each phase of English Gothic architecture had distinct characteristics in vaulting and window tracery.

VIII:Early English

​

Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt in a Gothic style after a fire in 1174, with the choir reconstructed between 1175 and 1184 under William of Sens and his assistant William the Englishman. The purpose of the reconstruction was to house the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket, attracting pilgrims from Europe. Salisbury Cathedral, built in the Early English style from 1220 to 1258, features a long angular building with a horizontal emphasis in both its interior and exterior design, including quadripartite vaults and black Purbeck marble. The tower and spire of Salisbury Cathedral provide a vertical counterpoint to its overall horizontal design. The cathedral also includes fine Decorated tracery in its cloisters and a lovely octagonal chapter house.

 

IN POINTS :

• Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt in Gothic style after a fire in 1174; choir reconstructed between 1175 and 1184 under William of Sens and William the Englishman.

• Purpose: to house the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket, attracting pilgrims from Europe.

• Salisbury Cathedral: built in Early English style from 1220 to 1258.

• Features a long angular building with a horizontal emphasis in both interior and exterior design.

• Includes quadripartite vaults and black Purbeck marble.

• The tower and spire provide a vertical counterpoint to the overall horizontal design.

• Cathedral has fine Decorated tracery in its cloisters and a lovely octagonal chapter house.

 

IX: Decorated And Perpendicular

Lincoln Cathedral showcases a blend of English Gothic periods, featuring varied vaulting systems, elaborate trim in the Angel Choir, and a unique ten-sided chapter house. Ely Cathedral exemplifies large-scale timber construction, including a remarkable wooden lantern tower after the collapse of the Norman crossing tower. Monumental timber construction is also evident in late medieval hammer beam roofs like Westminster Hall. King's College Chapel, Cambridge, stands as a Late Gothic masonry construction with exceptional fan vaults designed by John Wastell, featuring Perpendicular tracery and ornate woodwork.

 

IN POINTS :

• Lincoln Cathedral combines English Gothic periods with varied vaulting systems and elaborate trim in the Angel Choir.

• Ely Cathedral showcases large-scale timber construction, including a wooden lantern tower after the collapse of the Norman crossing tower.

• Monumental timber construction is evident in late medieval hammer-beam roofs, like Westminster Hall.

• King's College Chapel, Cambridge, displays exceptional fan vaults designed by John Wastell, with Perpendicular tracery and ornate woodwork.

 

X : German And Italian Gothic

German Gothic

German Gothic architecture developed its own unique style, with hall churches being a prominent feature. St. George in Nördlingen exemplifies this design, characterized by vaults of the nave and aisles being the same height, a massive tower on the western front, and tall, illuminated aisle windows.

St. Barbara at Kutná Hora showcases Late Gothic with a complex history, featuring intricate net vaulting in the choir and swirling rib patterns in the nave. The exterior surprises with tent-like tetrahedrons on the roof. However, due to funding constraints, the west front was completed much later in the nineteenth century.

IN POINTS :

• German Gothic architecture features hall churches, like St. George in Nördlingen, with cathedral vaults in the nave and aisles at the same height.

• St. George in Nördlingen has aisles on either side of the nave, continuing up to a chapel at the eastern polygon, and a massive tower on the western front.

• The interior of St. George is characterized by gray stone cylindrical columns, attached shaft moldings, and intricate vaulting patterns, with tall and uncolored glass aisle windows providing ample illumination.

• St. Barbara at Kutná Hora exemplifies Late Gothic with net vaulting in the choir and swirling rib patterns in the nave, creating a sense of weightlessness.

• The exterior of St. Barbara showcases tent-like tetrahedrons on the roof, which reduce wind loads and add a distinctive profile against the sky.

• Funding constraints resulted in the completion of the west front of St. Barbara in the nineteenth century after the nave vaults were finished.

 

Italian Gothic

Italian Gothic architecture adapted the style to suit local conditions and preferences, emphasizing openness and visibility. Italian Romanesque builders were skilled in domical vault construction, reducing the need for buttressing. The use of internal tie-rods over flying buttresses was more common in Italy. Gothic architecture was embraced by various monastic orders, with examples like S. Maria Novella, S. Fortunato, SS. Giovanni e Paolo, and the ambitious Milan Cathedral. Milan Cathedral's construction involved extensive debates and consultations among master builders and mathematicians. The resulting building differed from typical Italian Gothic churches, featuring large piers and limited lighting in the nave.

IN POINTS :

• Italian Gothic architecture adapted to local conditions and preferences, demonstrating the flexibility of the Gothic style.

• Italian Romanesque builders were proficient in domical vault construction, requiring less buttressing.

• Internal tie-rods were preferred over flying buttresses in Italy, influenced by cultural esthetics and seismic considerations.

• Various monastic orders, like Cistercians, Dominicans, and Franciscans, embraced Gothic architecture.

• Examples of Italian Gothic churches include S. Maria Novella, S. Fortunato, and SS. Giovanni e Paolo.

• Milan Cathedral is Italy's largest Gothic church, featuring a broad nave, double aisles, and a polygonal apse, and it lacks flying buttresses.

• Milan Cathedral's construction involved debates and consultations among builders and mathematicians, resulting in a unique design.

• The interior of Milan Cathedral has limited lighting in the nave, contrasting with brilliance in the choir, and features large piers.

• The exterior of Milan Cathedral is adorned with carved marble and pinnacles, and the rooftop offers an accessible view.

​