Gothic architecture originated in 12th century Europe and is known for pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and decorative elements like gargoyles. Key features include pointed arches that allowed buildings to reach greater heights and widths, ribbed vaulting for fire protection, and flying buttresses for structural support which permitted thinner walls and larger windows. These elements made Gothic cathedrals and churches lighter and more ornate than previous Romanesque designs.

1. GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE
Medieval Architecture (12th century Europe)

2. Gothic Architecture
Authentic Gothic revival during the mid-18th
century brought to the forefront many European
ecclesiastical and university structures.
The style displays overtones of spiral work and
steeples, columns and extravagant ceilings and
pointed roof designs.
Gothic architecture is common to most surviving
cathedrals, churches and abbeys of Europe.

3. Elements of the Gothic
Architecture
Stained
Pointed Gothic Gothic Flying
Gargoyles Glass
Pinnacles Arch Vault Buttresses
Windows

4. Pointed Pinnacles
Enables
Add strength
buildings to
and stability to
reach new
the structure
heights
To make it look
light

5. Pointed Pinnacles
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges

6. Pointed Pinnacles
Cathedral, Chartres; France, Chartres

7. Pointed Pinnacles >>>
Duomo, Milano; Italy, Milano

8. 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.

9. Gargoyles
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

10. Gargoyles
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

11. Gargoyles >>>

12. Stained Glass Windows

13. Stained Glass Window
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges

14. Stained Glass Window
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges

15. Stained Glass Windows
Basilique Saint-Denis; France

16. Rose Stained Glass Window >>>
Basilique Saint-Denis; France

17. Gothic Arch
The walls of Gothic
The Gothic architects and
The Medieval Gothic Arch buildings could be thinner
builders discovered the
was a major feature of the because the weight of the
amazing strength and
architecture of the Middle roof was supported by the
stability of using pointed
Ages. arches rather than the
arches.
walls.
The arch could not only Thinner walls had wider
support greater weights window openings which
The use of the Gothic arch
but could also could span encouraged the use of
gave the builders
greater distances, allowing stained glass and the
tremendous flexibility.
vaults to be taller and magnificent Gothic Rose
wider. Windows.

18. Gothic Arch
Santa Maria del Pi Barcelona

19. Gothic Arch
Cathedral, Chartres; France, Chartres

20. Gothic Arch >>>
Grace Cathedral , France

21. Gothic Vault
The reasons that
the cathedrals had
That was really
so many of these
good because fires Also, it made the
vaulted roofs is
often spread and inside of the
because the
there were no fire cathedral have a
medieval builders
fighters to help finished look.
thought that they
extinguish the fire.
helped reduce the
risk of fire.

22. Gothic Vault

23. Gothic (Ribbed) Vault
Guildford Cathedral: Britain

24. Romanesque (Barrel) Vault

25. Barrel Vault

26. Gothic (Ribbed) Vault

27. Gothic (Ribbed) Vault
Exeter Cathedral, England

28. Gothic (Ribbed) Vault >>>
Basilique Saint-Denis; France

29. Flying Butresses

30. Flying Buttresses
Cathedral at Chartres. France

31. Flying Buttresses

32. Flying Buttresses >>>
Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges; France, Bourges

33. THE END.
Prepared by: JC de Egurrola (2010)