Gothic Architecture

• Also known as style ogivale

• Progressive “lightening and heightening” of structure
• 3 most important innovations
– Pointed arch
– Flying buttress
– Ribbed vault
– Rose windows
• Richly decorated fenestrations
• Latin cross plan
• Façade faces west
• Introduced by abbot suger
Pointed arch
• Directs force more
towards the ground/
downwards in
comparison with the
round arch going side
wards
• Creates smaller and
thinner walls
• Added height and space
 Flying buttress
• Is a structure placed on
high gothic buildings to
counteract the wind load
• It is composed of half an
arch and acts like a
ribcage to the building
 Ribbed vaults
• Are vaults / arch that connects directly towards
the columns (colonettes) and acts as the ceiling
• Is more stable because the beam and ceiling are
monolithic (whole structure)
• Colonettes – a column composed of several small
pillars, each pillar will disperse into the ribs of
the ceiling
• Ribbed vault, pave the way to create high ceilings
Colonettes
 Rose window
• Also known as wheel window
• Are decorated circular windows often glazed
with stained glass
• Placed usually on façade
• The frame of the rose window and any
fenestration in gothic architecture is made up
of stone design called (tracery)
 Basilica of St. Denis /
Church Abbey of St. Denis
• Abbey – monastery
• Northern suburbs in Paris
• Latin cross plan
• Was a Romanesque church before
• First truly gothic church in the world
• All kings and priests in France was buried here until
1789
• Made by 2 architects
• Credited to abbot Suger
 Abbot Suger
• Fascinated by the play of lights
• Was nurtured and raised in the abbey
• Wanted to rebuild the old Romanesque St.
Denis church
• Renovated the facades
• added gothic features
• Hired outside craftsmen
• Used Rayonnant style
 St. Denis
• First Bishop in Paris
• The Pope was beheaded
• His body rose from the dead and picked up his
head
• Walked for 10 kilometers while preaching
• Stopped at the site of the Basilica of St. Denis
 Why does it have only one tower?
• Original tower was to be 2
• One was dismantled due to damage of storms
 Nave
• Rebuilt by Abbot Odo / Odo of Cluny
• Deviated from simple design of 3 aisle
• Used 5 aisles instead
 Main entrance
• Depicts the martyrdom of St. Denis and his
journey to the site.
 Cathedral basilica of our lady of
Amiens / Notre Dame de Amiens
• Notre – Our
• Dame – Lady
• 75 x 145 meters
• Interior ceiling of 43 meters
• Overlooking river Somme of France
• *Tallest completed cathedral in France*
• Built for 50 years
• By Robert de Luzarches
• By Cormant Fam (Thomas de, Renaud de)
• Romanesque church before and was burned down by lighting
• Rayonnant then became flamboyant
 Interesting trivia!
• While historical conservationists are restoring
the cathedral through laser cleaning
• They have discovered that the cathedral had
color!
 Gallery of kings
• Represents the kings of Judah/ Judea
• During the 18th century, gallery of kings were
defaced if it depicts a monarchy
• 22 figures
 Gargoyles
• Also known as doccione
 Structural defect
• The flying buttresses was too high
• Did not support the height (USELESS)
Remedy
• Added another flying buttress
• Chained the whole interior using hot metal
Gothic Architecture around Europe
• France • England • Germany • Spain • Italy
Gothic in
France
Notre dame de Paris
Reims Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral
Gothic in England
Salisbury Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Gothic in
Germany
Ulm Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral
Gothic in Spain
Seville Cathedral
Burgos Cathedral
Barcelonia cathedral
Gothic in Italy
Sienna Cathedral
Milan Cathedral