Gothic architecture evolved from Romanesque styles in the 12th century and some key features include pointed arches, stained glass windows, flying buttresses, gargoyles, pinnacles and Gothic vaults. The pointed arch allowed buildings to reach new heights and widths while flying buttresses provided external support to allow for taller, thinner walls and larger windows. Gothic architecture was used for both religious and civil buildings from the 12th to 16th centuries.
1. GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE
1 eso D&E CIL winter solstice outing: a walk in the old town
2. We shall follow this route but we’ll start at Sant Pere’s
bastion(18) and finish at 1 (Town Hall)
)
3. On our way, we shall observe some emblematic
Gothic buildings: Sa Llotja, the Cathedral
Gothic art evolved from Romanesque art and lasted
from the mid-12th century to as late as the end of the
16th century in some areas. Some of its most
distinctive features are:
1. Pinnacles
2. Gargoyles
3. Stained glass windows
4. Pointed arches
5. Flying butresses
6. Gothic vaults
4. Elements of the Gothic
Architecture
Stained
Pointed Gothic Gothic Flying
Gargoyles Glass
Pinnacles Arch Vault Buttresses
Windows
5. 1 Pointed Pinnacles
Enables
Add strength
buildings to
and stability to
reach new
the structure
heights
To make it look
light
7. 2 Gargoyles
Gargoyles came into gothic
architecture in the early 13th
The origins of the word
century and are defined as "a
'gargoyle' are derived from the
waterspout, projecting from an
old French word 'gargouille'
upper part of a building to throw
meaning throat.
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.
11. 4 Gothic Arch
The walls of Gothic
The Gothic architects
The Medieval Gothic buildings could be
and builders discovered
Arch was a major feature thinner because the
the amazing strength
of the architecture of the weight of the roof was
and stability of using
Middle Ages. supported by the arches
pointed arches.
rather than the walls.
The arch could not only
Thinner walls had wider
support greater weights
window openings which
The use of the Gothic but could also could
encouraged the use of
arch gave the builders span greater
stained glass and the
tremendous flexibility. distances, allowing
magnificent Gothic Rose
vaults to be taller and
Windows.
wider.