Gothic

Architecture
Mishari Noiban, Hazim Alhazmi, Faisal Almouwld
Dr. Mohamed Matrok
History of Architecture
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 History

02 Spread of the Gothic style

03 Religion

04 Climate

05 Culture

06 Gothic Architecture Characteristics

07 Examples Buildings
Introduction to
Gothic Architecture
History
Gothic

It was a French-born creative movement that spawned a variety of

artistic works of all types but is most recognized for its clothing
and its original and distinctive architectural design.
Gothic art first appeared in France in the 12th century (around
1140), and it lasted until the 16th century. It was an evolved version
of the Romanesque art
Historically the first application of the Gothic style was in Saint-
Denis Paris where it was rebuilt in 1140 by Abbot Sugar. 
History
Periods of Gothic Era

Early Gothic (1140-1250)

In this period most Europeans denied the idea of

the Gothic Style on top of the opponents was
Giorgio Vasari “ The father of art history

High Gothic (1250-1375)

For the first time, French art and architecture dominated

European art. It had to have been obvious that engineering
knowledge had pushed building sizes to dangerous limits.

International Gothic (1375-1450)

his period mostly showed the rich use of colors and gold in
decoration. It was famous in courts in France, Italy and Bohemia
(Czech Republic)
Spread of the Gothic Style
Gothic

The map below shows the spread of the Gothic style throughout
12-16th century.
As you can see the Gothic style spread to north to England and
east to Poland and south to Italy at its international period.
Religion
Gothic

Christianity was the main religion during the gothic era. This was
shown in their architecture throughout the complex design and
art in religious buildings also in the heights of these buildings
which indicated that “Religion is above and higher than any other
matter”
Climate
Gothic

Throughout the years the climate in the Mediterranean area has

faced changes from sunny & warm with slight coolness into a
tough colder weather, this resulted an many architectural changes
such as a change in windows height 
Culture
Gothic

During the Gothic period, painters and other artists used art to
convey stories as well as depict people and locations. Because
many individuals could not read, the works presented would
convey stories based on folklore or religious stories based on
Biblical events.
Gothic Architecture
Characteristics
Gothic Architecture Characteristics
Plans

In gothic architecture plans of cathedrals came in two forms:

1. Latin cross plan 
2. Roman cross plan

Gothic Architecture Characteristics
Plans

These pictures show the main

architectural characteristics in the
gothic architecture. 
Gothic Architecture Characteristics
The Large Stained Glass Windows

Today stained glass windows are found in some worship places,

but they were initially in Gothic cathedrals, and they featured cut-
colored glass. They were either arched and tall lancet windows or
round rose windows larger than those found in churches today,
which guaranteed they brought in more light. The large clerestory
windows often used tracery, a decorative type of stone support,
and detailed Biblical stories
Gothic Architecture Characteristics
The Pointed Arches

Pointed Arches were another critical feature of gothic architecture

to be both decorative and practical. The pointed arch distributed
the force of bulky walls and heavy ceilings, which could offer more
support than the formerly used pillars. The gothic arch aesthetic
value and beauty like a workhorse, and it influenced other gothic
designs like the vaulted ceilings.

Instead of the round arches, which were characteristic of the

Romanesque buildings, architects using the gothic style adapted
the tall thin pointed arches found in Islamic architecture.
Gothic Architecture Characteristics
The Vaulted Ceilings

A ribbed vault is an arched form created by the intersection of two

or three barrel vaults used to support the weight of walls or a
ceiling or roof. Using a combination of pointed arches and ribbed
vaulting allowed cathedral walls to be built thinner, higher, and
allowed more space for openings, such as doorways and windows
Gothic Architecture Characteristics
The Flying Buttresses

The flying buttress is a gothic architecture feature that defines the

external characteristics and acts to spread the tall walls' weight.
The architects' used the flying buttresses to support the building's
structure by transferring the force to the ground. It was both a
decorative and practical element of history and was elaborately
.designed

The flying buttresses gave a sense of movement and flight

because they seemed to sweep and dart around each building.
Often, the flying buttress was decorated with intricate carvings,
giving it a sense of grandness and importance.
Gothic Architecture Characteristics
The Architecture / Ornate Decorations

As one of the most notable characteristics of gothic architecture

and ornate decorations, Gargoyles were decorative monstrous
little creatures that sat along the roof and battlements of gothic
castles and buildings. 

Gargoyles have two purposes

- was to drain off rainwater off the roof, gushing through their
mouth then plummeting to the ground.
-  Another purpose was to strike fear in the ill-educated peasants

and scare them into the gothic cathedral or church.

Examples
Buildings
Examples Buildings
The Cologne Cathedral
Cologne, Germany
1248 - 1180

Cologne Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern

Europe. It also has the second tallest spires which are built in an
entirely Germanic Gothic style. Over seven centuries, successive
builders were inspired by the same faith and a spirit of absolute
fidelity to the original plans. Apart from its exceptional intrinsic
value and the artistic masterpieces it contains, Cologne Cathedral
testifies to the enduring strength of European Christianity. in 1996,
the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of
culturally important sites.
Examples Buildings
The Cologne Cathedral
Cologne, Germany
1248 - 1180

The plan
is in the shape of a Latin Cross, as is usual with Gothic cathedrals. It has two aisles on
either side, which help to support one of the very highest Gothic vaults in the world,
being nearly as tall as that of the Beauvais Cathedral, much of which collapsed.

Examples Buildings
The Cologne Cathedral

main entrance The Cologne Cathedral Medieval east

The main entrance shows the 19th century A "Bird's eye view" shows the cruciform plan Interior of the Medieval east end, showing the
decoration extreme height
Examples Buildings
Milan Cathedral
Milan, Italy
1386 - 1965

It is the largest church in the Italian Republic. The cathedral church

of Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Dedicated to the Nativity of St Mary (Santa
Maria Nascente). Milan Cathedral was another example of Gothic
Architecture that took almost 600 years to complete.The building in
its current form was finally completed in 1965.  Construction was
initially very rapid with half the cathedral actually completed by 1402.
After this point, a lack of funds meant construction stalled.
Examples Buildings
Milan Cathedral
Milan, Italy
1386 - 1965

The plan
plan consists of a nave with four side-aisles, crossed by a transept and then followed by choir and apse. The height of the nave
is about 45 meters (148  ft), the highest Gothic vaults of a complete church (less than the 48 meters (157  ft) of Beauvais
Cathedral, which was never completed).

Examples Buildings
Milan Cathedral

The roof The entrance Duomo di Milano

Tourists on the roof Artwork on the door of the Cathedral. Interior view of the Duomo di Milano

Examples Buildings
Notre-Dame de Paris
Paris, France
1163–1345

"Our Lady of Paris”  is one of the best examples of French Gothic
architecture and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Several
characteristics distinguish it from earlier Romanesque styles,
including its innovative use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its
massive and colorful rose windows, and the naturalism and
profusion of its sculptural adornment.  Notre Dame is also known for
its musical features, including three pipe organs (one of which is
medieval) and massive church bells. 
Examples Buildings
Notre-Dame de Paris
Paris, France
1163–1345

In the 19th century, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc drew a plan of the cathedral. The
nave and portals are on the left, the choir is in the middle, and the apse and
ambulatory are on the right. The Sacristy is the appendage to the south.
Examples Buildings
Notre-Dame de Paris

Early six-part rib vaults of The massive buttresses flying buttresses of the apse
the nave of Notre-Dame
References

https://artsandculture.google.com/usergallery/BAJiq-3ZmjhWLQ
https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-art
https://epublications.marquette.edu/gothic_religion/
https://www.slideserve.com/haruki/gothic-europe
ttps://mymodernmet.com/gothic-architecture-characteristics/
https://www.archute.com/gothic-architecture/
https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-architecture
https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
https://www.duomomilano.it/en/infopage/the-cathedral/53/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cologne-Cathedral