And the Gothic architectural style is a trend that was born in France in the 12th century from the Romanesque style, for a long time known as the “French style” or “modern style”. A more detailed history of the origin and development of Gothic architecture can be found on thematic resources. For example, the site about architecture tartle.net with projects of houses made in a variety of architectural styles. Gothic architecture from France spread throughout Western Europe and continued to develop until the beginning of the 16th century, when a new trend in art and architecture was born - the Renaissance. Thus, the Gothic style was the dominant structural and aesthetic trend in Europe for nearly 400 years. In the 19th century, the Gothic style became popular again, especially for the construction of churches and universities. This style is called Neo-Gothic architecture.

Basics of Gothic architecture

1. Pointed arch. The lancet arch effectively distributed the force of heavy ceilings and bulky structures, and could support much more weight than previous, simple pillars. Such pointed arches have become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Gothic.
2. Ribbed vault.
3. Flying support. In addition to the practical meaning - the load was distributed on it, it had a large decorative role.
4. Height. All buildings of this era literally stretch to the sky.
5. Vaulted ceiling.
6. Light and airy interior. It may not seem so to us now, but compared to Romanesque architecture, it really is.
7. Gargoyles. Ornamental, monstrous little creatures found on the rooftops of gothic buildings and castles. Gargoyles have a practical purpose: they are spouts for draining rainwater. They struck terror into the hearts of poorly educated medieval peasants. Many gargoyles included elements of the grotesque, were pompous or threatening poses.

These seven elements have changed the world, giving it something completely new, refined and sublime. Gothic style emphasizes verticality and light. This was achieved by creating new architectural features that can be called the frame system of Gothic architecture. It includes such basic elements as: buttresses, flying buttresses and ribs. Sculptures and stained-glass windows can be considered an important component of the buildings of Gothic architecture, without which not a single building of this era can do. It is worth noting that at the time of its appearance and heyday, not everyone had a positive attitude towards this direction, many criticized it, because it was very different from Romanesque architecture. But even at sunset, this style was criticized. It was then that they began to call it Gothic, meaning that it is as barbaric as the behavior of the Goth tribes.

Literally every European state can boast of its impressive and bewitching cathedrals, basilicas, castles, town halls, universities and other buildings built in the Gothic style. However, as one would expect from the Middle Ages, it is the cathedrals and temples that embody all the power, triumph and beauty of Gothic architecture. There are more than a dozen samples of classical Gothic architecture throughout Europe, as well as England and Scandinavia. Among them, it is very difficult to single out a few of the best or most significant, since each such building is unique, inimitable and always has its own distinctive features. In Spain alone, one can count more than ten very majestic Gothic cathedrals, which one can talk about for hours, which one never ceases to admire. For example, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona; Cathedral of Saint Mary in Segovia; Cathedral of Avila; Catholic Cathedral in Toledo and many others. There are a lot of beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the United Kingdom. One of them, Gloucester Cathedral, even became a filming location for the Harry Potter films.

The most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe:

(Germany). O d but of the most haunted places in Germany, there are about 8 million tourists every year. The cathedral is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The height of the cathedral is 157.25 meters. It is considered the third largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The start of construction dates back to 1248, but everything was built rather slowly. the choir was consecrated in 1322. The first bell was installed on one of the towers in 1410. Around 1510 construction was stopped. For almost 300 years, Cologne Cathedral stood unfinished. Was completed in 1880.

(France). A World Heritage Site, a very popular tourist destination (over a million visitors a year). is the residence of the Archbishop of Reims, where almost all the kings of France were crowned. Years of construction: 1211 - 1275. The upper parts of the facade were completed in the 14th century.

Seville Cathedral(Spain). It is on the list of World Heritage Sites. Built in 1401-1507 on the site of a former mosque. Belongs to late Gothic. Here the remains are buriedChristopher Columbus. The cathedral is considered one of the main gems in the treasury of the Spanish heritage.

• Milan Cathedral(Italy). Business card of Milan. The cathedral impresses with its sculptural wealth - there are about 3,400 statues here. One of the most recognizable places in the world. The cathedral is built of white marble. This is a long-term construction cathedral: begun in 1386 and completed in 1965. The highest point of the cathedral is 108 meters.

Gothic cathedrals are not religious buildings of the ancient Goths, but temples built in the Gothic style of architecture. This architectural style appeared in France in the 12th century, it replaced the Romanesque style.

Gothic architecture spread throughout Western Europe and continued to develop until the 16th century. With the advent of the Renaissance, Gothic began to lose its significance. Best of all, the Gothic style manifested itself in the architecture of cathedrals, temples and monasteries. Gothic is characterized by narrow and high towers, arches with pointed tops, columns, multicolored stained glass windows and a richly decorated facade. An integral part of Gothic art is sculpture. The gloomy figures of gargoyles and mythical creatures served as a particularly frequent decoration on the walls. The combination of stained-glass windows shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, magnificent patterns and stone sculptures of figures create an inimitable ensemble.

Gothic covers various works of art: painting, fresco, stained glass, sculpture, book miniature and many others. But as already mentioned, it is the medieval cathedrals of Europe that fully demonstrate all the beauty and grandeur of the Gothic style. They will be discussed below.

10 gothic cathedrals photo.

St Stephen's Cathedral, located in the heart of Vienna, has survived many wars and is now a symbol of the freedom of the city. The Gothic cathedral stands on the ruins of two previous churches. Its construction was largely initiated in the 14th century by Duke Rudolf IV. And the most recognizable characteristic of the cathedral, the tiled roof with the national coat of arms and the coat of arms of the city of Vienna, was added only in 1952.

Hotels and hotels: St. Stephen's Cathedral

2. Burgos Cathedral. Burgos, Spain

Burgos Cathedral is a medieval cathedral in the city of the same name, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is famous for its huge size and unique gothic architecture. The construction of the cathedral began in 1221, and after a long break of almost two centuries, it was completed in 1567. In 1919, the cathedral became the burial place of the national hero Rodrigo Diaz de Vivara (El Cid Campeador) and his wife Jimena Diaz.

Nearest hotels: Burgos Cathedral

3. Reims Cathedral. Reims, France

Reims Cathedral is the place where numerous French monarchs were officially crowned. It was built on the site of the basilica, where once (about 496) Clovis I, one of the greatest politicians of his time, was baptized by Saint Remy. The construction of the cathedral was completed by the end of the 13th century.

Hotels near Reims Cathedral

The exceptionally large and elaborate Gothic cathedral in Milan's main square is one of the most famous buildings in Europe. This is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Construction began in 1386 under the patronage of Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo (Antonio da Saluzzo) in a late Gothic style more typical than. It took five centuries before the building was completed.

Nearest hotels: Milan Cathedral

5. Seville Cathedral. Seville, Spain

Situated on the site of the majestic Almohada Mosque, the medieval cathedral was built to showcase the power and wealth of Seville after the long process of the Reconquista. When completed in the 16th century, it superseded Hagia Sophia as the largest in the world. The builders used some of the columns and elements of the former mosque. The most famous Giralda is a tower with rich patterns and ornaments, formerly a minaret, and transformed into a bell tower.

Hotels in Seville

6. York Minster York, England

One of the two largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe (along with Germany). York Cathedral rises above the horizon in the ancient city of the same name and includes all stages of Gothic architectural development in. The construction of the present building was begun around 1230 and completed in 1472. The cathedral is famous for its largest medieval stained-glass windows.

Hotels in York Minster

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) is a beautiful Catholic cathedral in the fourth arrondissement. Construction, begun in 1163, was not completed until 1345. One of the most famous French Gothic cathedrals, Notre Dame de Paris is an excellent example of French Gothic architecture, sculpture and stained glass. During the French Revolution in 1790, most of the sculptures and treasures were destroyed and looted. And yet, on December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor here.

Hotels in Notre Dame Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral has been the most famous symbol of the city for many centuries. Its height is 157.4 meters. The famous cathedral stands on the site where a Roman temple was located back in the 4th century. Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1248 and continued intermittently for more than 600 years. The cathedral is dedicated to Saints Peter and Mary and is the main temple of the Cologne Archdiocese.

Nearest hotels: Cologne Cathedral

9. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence, Italy

The Gothic-style construction that began in 1296 was completed in 1436. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the symbol of the city and one of the most beautiful buildings in Florence. Notable are the outer walls of the basilica, lined with beautiful marble panels of various shades: green, white, pink. And the huge brick dome is also impressive.

Hotels: Santa Maria del Fiore Paris . Its merit, besides being one of the finest examples of French High Gothic, is that it has been almost perfectly preserved. Most of the cathedral's original stained glass windows have remained intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes since the early 13th century.

Hotels in Chartres Cathedral

The Gothic style is amazing, timeless and striking in its forms. In architecture, it is considered one of the most expressive styles invented by mankind. These are not only classical medieval religious buildings and castles, but also modern residential buildings. We offer an overview of the striking examples of world architecture in the Gothic style.

Gothic style has several forms, but they are all beautiful. Gothic of France, England and Italy cannot be compared, as it is unique. France is the country where he was born and acquired his soul. Churches of the 12th century and modern religious buildings were built in it. In this style, everything is perfect - from the form to the details.

St. Stephen's Cathedral was built in 1147 and is one of the most outstanding and beautiful structures made in the Gothic style. It was considered the mother church of Austrian Catholicism and the seat of the archbishop. The cathedral has stood the test of time and survived many historical events. The roof of the unique and most recognizable building in Vienna is covered with colorful tiles. Few people know that the north tower was a mirror image of the south. In 1511, a renaissance-style apex was added to the north tower, which the people of Vienna call the "water tower apex". During the Second World War, the bells of the cathedral, which were on the south tower, disappeared without a trace. The bells of the north tower have survived and are still in operation. The oldest part of the cathedral is considered to be the Roman tower and the "giant's gate".

Mir Castle is an impressive example of Gothic architecture of the 16th century. It is located in the Grodno region and is one of the most interesting tourist sites in Belarus. The three-storey Gothic castle was built by Count Ilyinich in the 1500s, and Nikolai Radzivil, the second owner of the castle, completed its construction in the Renaissance style. In the courtyard of the castle, near the northern walls, there are Italian gardens.

Mir Castle survived the destruction during the war with Napoleon. Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky purchased the castle and began its reconstruction, which was completed by his son, who hired the architect Theodor Bourget. The Mirsky family owned the castle until 1939. Today it is a national cultural monument and is revered by locals and tourists.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp, owned by the Roman Catholic Church, is located in Antwerp, Belgium. Construction on the site of the former 9th-12th century chapel began in 1352 and continued until 1521. Today, the cathedral is considered the largest and most strikingly beautiful building in the Gothic style in the Netherlands and Belgium. In 1533, a fire broke out in it, and part of the cathedral was destroyed. Since 1559 it has been the residence of the archbishop. During the hostilities from the 1800s to the 1900s, the cathedral was damaged and restored several times, but neither fire nor war could destroy this majestic building, which became immortal. The last restoration of the monument of Gothic architecture began in 1965 and ended in 1993.

The construction of another masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Cologne Cathedral, began in 1248 and lasted until 1473, but was not completed, and continued into the 19th century. The cathedral, a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church and German Gothic architecture, is located in Cologne, Germany, is the residence of the archbishop and is among the monuments listed as world cultural heritage.

It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and the second tallest cathedral in the world. It has a lot of relics to look at. The cathedral was planned like the Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens. It is based on a Latin cross and high Gothic vaults. You can admire stained glass windows, a high altar, original furniture - this cathedral is a real treasure.

Burgos Cathedral, a creation of the 13th century, is located in Spain, belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Construction and reconstruction lasted from the 13th to the 16th century, just then the elements in the Renaissance style appeared in the cathedral. In 1984 it was added to the World Cultural Heritage List. There are many historically and culturally valuable objects in the cathedral - from the statues of the 12 apostles to the Chapel of Relics and art objects, statues of angels, knights.

Located in Prague, St. Vitus Cathedral, a magnificent monument of Gothic architecture, in reality is much more beautiful than they talk about it. It is revered not only for its beauty, but also because it is considered the main religious building in the Czech Republic. It is also the largest in the country. The cathedral houses the tombs of Roman emperors and kings of Bohemia.

Cologne Cathedral. Germany.

The Gothic style, sometimes called the artistic style, is the final stage in the development of the art of the Middle Ages in the countries of Central, Western and partly Eastern Europe. The term "Gothic" was introduced during the Renaissance as a derogatory designation for all the architectural art of the Middle Ages, which was considered truly "barbaric".

Cathedral of Las Lajas. Colombia.

The Gothic style is characterized by the features of a symbolic-allegorical type of thinking and the conventions of artistic language. The primacy of architecture and traditional types of buildings Gothic inherited from the Romanesque style. A special place in Gothic art was occupied by the cathedral, which was the highest example of architectural synthesis with painting and sculptural trends. The space of such a cathedral was incommensurable with a person – the verticals of its arches and towers, the subordination of sculptures to the dynamism of architectural rhythms and the multi-colored radiance of stained-glass windows had a captivating effect on the faithful.

The development of Gothic art also reflected key changes in the construction of medieval society - the beginning of the formation of centralized powers, the growth and strengthening of megacities, the advancement of the forces of the nobility, as well as court and knightly circles. Here, civil architecture and urban planning are intensively developed. The architectural ensembles of cities included secular and religious buildings, bridges, fortifications and wells. Often, the main square of the city was lined with houses with arcades, where the lower floors were occupied by retail and warehouse premises. And it was from the square that all the main streets diverged with narrow facades of two or three-story houses, decorated with high gables. The cities were enveloped by powerful walls with travel towers. Feudal and royal castles gradually turned into the most complex complexes of palaces, fortifications and places of worship. In the center of the city, as a rule, there was a cathedral or castle, which became the heart of city life.

Milan Cathedral.

The complex but bold frame structure of the Gothic period cathedral, which embodied the triumph of the architect's daring thought, made it possible to surpass the massiveness of the Romanesque structures, lightening the vaults and walls and creating a dynamic integrity of the interior space. Using the frame, the walls ceased to be load-bearing elements of buildings. It seemed that there were no walls at all. Lancet vaults were superior to semicircular ones because of their variability, being structurally ahead in many positions.

It is in Gothic that the complication and enrichment of the consonance of arts comes, the expansion of the plot system, which reflected the medieval worldview. There is an interest in the real forms of nature, in the feelings and physical beauty of a person, a new interpretation is given to the theme of motherhood, martyrdom, the suffering of morality and the sacrificial stability of a person. In the Gothic style of architecture, tragic affects are organically intertwined with lyricism, social satire with spiritual loftiness, folklore with a fantastic grotesque, and the sharpness of life observations.

The Gothic style originated in Northern France in the middle of the 11th century and reached its peak by the first half of the 11th century. The stone cathedrals of the Gothic work in France received their own classical form. A similar structure was usually made up of three to five nave basilicas with transverse naves - transepts and an ambulatory, to which radial chapels adjoined. The impression of an indomitable movement towards the altar and upwards is created by slender pillars, the great rise of lancet arches and the rapid pulse of the triforium. Due to the contrast of the main high nave, as well as the semi-dark side naves, a rich painting of aspects appears, a boundless sense of space.

types of arches.

Gothic ornament.

Gothic capitals.

The Gothic frame system originated in the abbey church of Saint-Denis (1137-1144). The cathedrals in Paris, Lane and Chartres can also be attributed to the young Gothic. The richness of rhythm, the perfection of compositional architecture and the impeccability of decorative sculpture - that is what distinguishes the stunning cathedrals and temples of the mature Gothic in Amiens and Reims. The Parisian chapel Sainte-Chapelle (1243-1248) with many stained-glass windows also belongs to the Gothic cathedrals of the middle of the 11th century. The crusaders also brought the principles of Gothic architecture to Rhodes, Syria and Cyprus.

Late Gothic in interiors is already spreading sculptural altars that combine wooden painted and gilded sculptures with temperamental painting on wooden boards. Here, a new emphatic structure of images is already taking shape, distinguished by intense (often exalted) expression, which is especially evident in the scenes of the suffering of Christ and other saints, conveyed with irreconcilable truthfulness.

As a result, we can conclude that due to the solution of only one architectural problem, not even related to construction, a whole trend in art was born, and, one might say, by chance a mysterious and amazing style was created - Gothic.

Notre Dame Cathedral. (Notre Dame de Paris)

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris)

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is the heart of Paris. The lower part of the facade has three portals: the portal of the Virgin Mary on the left, the portal of St. Anne on the right, and between them is the portal of the Last Judgment. Above them rises an arcade of twenty-eight statues of the Jewish kings. The center of the façade is adorned with a large rose-shaped window, decorated with stone patterns and stained-glass windows. The bronze bell, donated to the Cathedral in 1400, weighing six tons, is located in the right tower of the Cathedral. Subsequently, the bell was melted down again, and the inhabitants of Paris threw jewelry into the molten bronze, from which, according to stories, the ringing of the bell acquired a clear and sonorous timbre.

The cathedral, as a model of the divine universe, looks upward, towards the sky. There are no sharp spiers on top of the towers, contrary to the project. This decision was made so that the harmony of the entire structure would not be disturbed. And from the inside, the temple amazes with the volume and breadth of space. Neither massive pillars nor bare walls remind of the massiveness of the Cathedral. There is a beautiful tradition associated with the Cathedral. Every year, on the first of May each year, artists donate paintings, sculptures and other creations. They decorate the chapels on the right side of Notre Dame Cathedral. It also contains two statues: the Virgin Mary, after whom the Cathedral is named, and the statue of St. Dionysius. In memory of the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, their sculptural images are located in the central part of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Bas-reliefs on the theme of the New Testament adorn the outer part of the choir. In 1886, the rite of acceptance of the Catholic faith by the writer Paul Claudel took place in the Cathedral, as evidenced by a bronze plate with an inscription mounted in the floor of the transept. Notre Dame Cathedral itself is immortalized in the work of the same name by Victor Hugo.