GOTHIC

ARCHITECTURE
Prepared By:
Mary Giselle Osila
Rommel Pat
Julius Luzuriaga

BS Architecture 2A
 GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN
CENTRAL EUROPE ( GERMANY )
13 - 16 CENTURY
TH TH
 The Elizabeth Church in
Marburg (1235 - 83) was erected
above the grave of Saint Elizabeth,
and was one of the most significant
pilgrimage sites of the West.
From an art historical perspective it
has become ranked as the earliest
purely Gothic church east of the
Rhine. Their master builder created
this in further independent
character of the prototype of French
cathedrals, the type of the Gothic
hall church, which became the
model for the further development
of Gothic in Germany.

http://www.elisabethkirche.de/en/the-elizabeth-church/
 ULM CATHEDRAL
(A.D 1377-1477)

Construction on Ulm Cathedral began

in 1377, financed by the city's
inhabitants. After a long period of no
building – and long after the church
became Protestant – the spire was
added in 1890.
Ulm Münster is the tallest church in
the world and probably the finest
example of Gothic church architecture
in Germany. Now Protestant, this
church has dominated the city and the
region for hundreds of years and has
become closely associated with the city
of Ulm.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/ulm-munster
 KLINGENTOR ROTHENBURG

Over 30 meters tall, this tower has mainly served practical purposes since the 16th century: a copper vessel
was installed and the tower was converted into a water tower, serving the town’s drinking fountains ever since.

One of the special features of the Klingentor gate is that it shares a wall with the Church of St. Wolfgang,
forming a link between worldly and spiritual architecture that is quite unique. It was possible to climb the
tower from inside the church, enabling the defenders to fire on the attackers who had already made it as far as
the ramparts.

http://www.tourismus.rothenburg.de/index.php?id=467
 RATHAUS REGENSBURG

REGENSBURG ARE PROMINENT AND

IMPRESSIVE BUILDINGS, AND, LIKE THE TOWN
GATES IN THE BALTIC PROVINCES ARE EVIDENCE
OF THE PROSPERITY OF THOSE TIMES.
 THE CUSTOM HOUSE, NUREMBURG 1498

1498-1502 first built as a grain and salt storehouse; from 1572

imperial city weigh house and customs house. 1897/98
conversion to commercial shops and offices.
. It was the largest (84 x 20 x 29 m) of the 12 civic storehouses
which guaranteed food supplies in times of crisis. Roof-top
hoists facilitated the storing of goods. The eastern gable is
decorated by a network of blind ogee arches; the lancet-arched
portal bears the city’s coat-of-arms (Adam Kraft, 1502).
After 1572, the granary also served as weighhouse and
customhouse (Maut = toll). Since 1897/98, commercial use.
During restoration in 1953, the half-timbered dormer was
reconstructed in plastered masonry. The impressive cellar (26
pillars) now houses a restaurant.

http://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/sightseeing/places-of-interest/
architecture/d/mauthalle.html
Old Houses: Nuremberg - the Magic City of History – makes the Middle Ages come
to life like no other city in the world. Winding cobblestoned alleyways and medieval
street scenes are blended into a modern city center, which is surrounded by an old city
wall where you can take a stroll. Let yourself be enchanted by the distinctive atmosphere
of one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.

http://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/tour-operators/why-nuremberg/medieval-
nuremberg.html
THE KAISERWORTH: GOSLAR

The Kaiserworth is a perfect fit into this fairytale setting.

Originally a guildhall built by wealthy cloth merchants in 1600 to
dominate the marketplace and upstage the town hall, it is a
fantasia of statue-encrusted salmon-pink walls topped by slate
turrets shaped like magicians’ hats. It looks like the sort of place
Rapunzel would go on holiday to let her hair down.
Its restaurant, the Worth, has a painted, vaulted ceiling.
The rooms themselves are eccentrically distributed and widely
disparate in size and presentation. Depending on your preference,
you can choose between modern decor or traditional heavy oak.
Many of the rooms have four-posters, and the hotel even has what
it calls its English room – with Laura Ashley furnishings and
watercolours of British landscapes.
The best are furnished with huge statues with plaster cherubs on
the walls, and you can sit in the glass- windowed.
http://germanyiswunderbar.com/northern-germany/kaiserworth-hotel-goslar
/
OLD HOUSE: BRUNSWICK
Hildesheim was a perfect old Saxon town. It had not
changed very much in 600 years and was probably one
of the most intact medieval towns with her narrow,
winding lanes framed by fairy tale timber framed
buildings. The rosebush near the cathedral was
rumored to be 1,000 years old. Ludwig the Pious had
founded a chapel on the hill where ancient trade routes
passed in the year 815, and the first large cathedral
was formed out of native rock in 872 by Bishop
Altfried. Under the direction of Bishops Bernward and
Godehard in the beginning of the 11th century, the
town began to flourish with craftsmen and artists,
sculptors, goldsmiths and traders. By 1217, a Rathaus
was built, and by 1300, the citizens had drawn up a
lasting town charter, followed by their own
constitution in 1345. By 1367, prosperous little
Hildesheim was a member of the Hanseatic League.

http://www.revisionist.net/hildesheim.html
 GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE
IN FRANCE
Reims Cathedral, also called the Cathedral of Notre-Dame
at Reims, cathedral located in the city of Reims, France, Paris.
Reims was the site of 25 coronations of the kings of France,
from Louis VIII in 1223 to Charles X in 1825, including the
crowning of Charles VII in 1429 in the presence of Joan of Arc.
The cathedral, which was begun in 1211 under the auspices of
Archbishop Aubry de Humbert and designer Jean d’Orbais, was
modeled on Chartres Cathedral (begun about 1194) and was
intended to replace an earlier church destroyed by fire in 1210.
The main construction was overseen by four different architects
and lasted some 80 years; expansions and decorative work
continued on the church for centuries.
Reims is richly decorated with elegant masonry sculpture
(particularly the exterior) and exceptional stained-glass
windows, making it one of the artistic masterpieces of the
French High Gothic period.
The cathedral’s historic site, which was added to the UNESCO
World Heritage List in 1991Restoration was undertaken in the
20th century after the cathedral was seriously damaged by
shelling during World War I.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Reims-Cathedral
One of the most notable monuments in Paris is the
Notre Dame Cathedral. This Catholic
treasure is over 800 years old. It is located on a small
island called the Ile de la Cite in the middle of river
Seine. The building of the cathedral was completed
over the course of 200 years; it was started in 1163
during the reign of King Louis VII and was completed
in 1345.

The Notre dame Cathedral Paris has its own share of

both the glorious and the tragic historical moments
that will forever remain indelible in the mind of people
everywhere. Among them is the crowning of Henry VI
of England right inside the cathedral in 1431. The
Cathedral was at one time in a stage of total disrepair
and close to the point of being demolished, but was
later saved by Napoleon who himself was crowned
Emperor in 1804 inside the Cathedral.

http://www.notredamecathedralparis.com/history
 The Cathedral of Saint Pierre de
Beauvais, which dominated the city of
Beauvais, France during the Middle Ages, is
an important example of Gothic architecture

Today, the magnificence of the Cathedral of

Saint Pierre de Beauvais, which combines the
geometric principles of Gothic architecture
with the artistic ingenuity of the Early to Late
Gothic French style, speaks to the competitive
spirit of the Gothic era.

http://archive.cyark.org/cathedral-of-beauvais-i
nfo
 AMIENS
CATHEDRAL
(1220-1288)

Amiens Cathedral, in the heart

of Picardy, is one of the largest
'classic' Gothic churches of the
13th century. It is notable for
the coherence of its plan, the
beauty of its three-tier interior
elevation and the particularly
fine display of sculptures on the
principal facade and in the
south transept.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/162
 BOURGES CATHEDRAL
COMMENCED A.D 1190

The Cathedral of St Etienne of Bourges, built between the late 12th and
late 13th centuries, is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art and is
admired for its proportions and the unity of its design. The tympanum,
sculptures and stained-glass windows are particularly striking. Apart from
the beauty of the architecture, it attests to the power of Christianity in
medieval France.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/635
 CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
(1194-1260)

The Chartres Cathedral is probably the finest

example of French Gothic architecture and
said by some to be the most beautiful
cathedral in France.
The Chartres Cathedral is a milestone in the
development of Western architecture because
it employs all the structural elements of the
new Gothic architecture: the pointed arch; the
rib-and-panel vault; and, most significantly,
the flying buttress.
The cathedral is also celebrated for its many
stained-glass windows and sculptures. Because
most of its 12th-and 13th-century stained glass
and sculpture survives, Chartres Cathedral is
one of the most completely surviving medieval
churches.

http://chartrescathedral.net/
 Palais Jacques-Coeur is one such example of private building in the
Flamboyant Gothic Style.
Jacques-Coeur was born in 1400 and rapidly rose in importance to become the
treasurer to King Charles VII. He amassed great wealth as a result and built an
extensive business empire across southern Europe. This palace, built in the middl
of the 15th century between 1443 and 1451, was his living accommodation in
Bourges.
The Palace was confiscated from Jacques-Coeur after his arrest by the King in
1451. Unfortunately Jacques-Coeur himself was forced into exile in Greece after
escaping from prison, and he died in Greece in 1456 having been unable to use th
finished building. The palace was restored to his family in 1457.
Later the building changed hands several times before eventually being sold to th
town of Bourges in 1682. It was then used as the Town Hall and later the Palace o
Justice - apparently this conversion work, around 1820, involved a substantial
part of the interior decoration being lost. For almost the last 100 years the Palace
has been owned and protected by the state, and many programs of restoration
have been carried out over the years.

http://www.francethisway.com/places/bourges-palais-jacques-coeur.php
 GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE IN
THE
BRITISH ISLES
12 – 16 CENTURY
TH TH
 ▪ Little more than two miles south of Newark, and near the little
river Devon, the tower of Hawton’s All Saints Church, with its
eight pinnacles, can be seen from some distance across the fields.

▪ The existence of a comparatively large church containing

high quality carvings in such a small village is something of a
mystery. Some authorities have surmised that the masons who built
the chancel with its magnificent Easter Sepulchre, sedilia and
great east window may also have worked on Southwell Minster and
that the plan for Hawton was for it to become a collegiate
foundation.

▪ Pevsner described the chancel as: “One of the most exciting pieces
of architecture in the country.”

▪ The name Hawton (Holtone or Houtune) means a settlement in a

hollow, or alternatively a dwelling in a wood.

http://southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/hawton/hintro.php
▪ Standing for over 800 years, St Mary
Redcliffe Church was described Queen
Elizabeth I as 'The godliest, fairest and most
famous parish church in England'.

▪ St Mary Redcliffe Church, all gargoyles,

pointed arches and finials, is a masterpiece of
Gothic architecture that has watched over
Bristol for some 800 years.

▪ Its consecrated grounds hold secrets from

Bristol and America’s past.

https://www.visitengland.com/experience/step-
st-mary-redcliffe
 ▪ Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest
Christian churches in England and it continues
to play a central role in English Christianity.
Originally founded in 602 AD by St. Augustine,
it still functions as the cathedral of the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the
worldwide Anglican Communion.

▪ The grandeur of the architecture reflects

Canterbury's historic and religious importance,
as does the magnificent collection of
medieval stained glass windows depicting
miracles experienced at Thomas' shrine, biblical
scenes, prophets and saints.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/canterbury-cat
hedral
▪ Bristol Cathedral is one of
England's great medieval
churches. It originated as an
Augustinian Abbey, founded c.
1140 by prominent local citizen,
Robert Fitzharding, who became
first Lord Berkeley.

▪ The transepts of the church date

from this period, but its most vivid
remains can be seen in the Chapter
House and Abbey Gatehouse.

http://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/the-cathedral/brief-his
tory/
▪ Saint George’s Chapel, part of
Windsor Castle in the district of
Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

▪ It is one of the finest examples of the

Perpendicular style of Gothic architecture in
England.

▪ The chapel was built in two stages, the choir and

its aisles being completed and roofed by 1483 and
the nave by 1496; but the stone vaulting was not
finished until 1528. The large west window with its
late 15th-century stained glass and the painted roof
bosses are among other remarkable features of the
chapel.

▪ St. George’s chapel ranks next to

Westminster Abbey as a royal mausoleum, and it
became customary for royal funerals to take place
there.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Georges-Chapel
 ▪ Gloucester Cathedral has been a
place of Christian worship
continuously for over 1,300 years, since
Osric, an Anglo-Saxon prince, founded
a religious house here in 678-9 AD.

▪ A record of the building fabric is

made before and during stonework
conservation, detailing the information
that repair works uncover about
building history and early building
techniques.

http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/history-
heritage/cathedral-history/
▪ The Divinity School was projected in 1423 and
officially completed in 1488 .

▪ Originally built as a theology lecture-hall and for

meetings of convocation. It appears to be a part of a
single, coherent building, contrary to its original
autonomy in the fifteenth century.

▪ Indeed its history was complicated from the start,

and its perceived meanings have been diverse.

▪ From its original design, the Divinity School has

been modified numerous times and throughout its
life, it has been heavily restored.

▪ The building itself thus reveals and reflects the

evolving beliefs of those constructing and using the
Divinity School.

https://facesofthemoonblog.files.wordpress.com/2015/0
 ▪ Salisbury Cathedral is an elegant
Gothic edifice located in Salisbury, about 90
miles southwest of London.

▪ Built almost entirely in the 13th century, the

cathedral boasts the tallest spire and the
largest cloisters in England.

▪ The site attracts more than 500,000 visitors

each year.

▪ Construction on Salisbury Cathedral began

in the Early English Gothic style in 1220.

▪ The work was completed quickly, resulting

in a unity of architecture rarely seen in
England.

ttp://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/salisbury-cathe
al
▪ Wells Cathedral (officially the Cathedral of St.
Andrew in Wells) is the glory of the small town of Wells
in Somerset.

▪ Dating primarily from the early 13th century, Wells

Cathedral is spectacular in its uniqueness and richness
of decoration.

▪ The pretty Early Gothic interior is dominated by the

love-em-or-hate-em "scissor arches," seen nowhere else.

▪ Work on Wells Cathedral began in 1180 under Bishop

Reginald, but most of the cathedral construction was
overseen by Bishop Jocelyn, a local man with great
ambitions for Wells.

▪ Wells Cathedral was the first English cathedral to be

built in the Early English Gothic style, with pointed
arches throughout. .

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/wells-cathedral
▪ Exeter Cathedral (officially
the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in
Exeter) is a Gothic cathedral in Exeter
dating mostly from the 13th and 14th
centuries.

▪ It is notable for its stout Norman towers,

its Gothic west front covered in weathered
sculptures, and its beautiful nave, which
boasts the longest unbroken Gothic ceiling
in the world.

▪ Exeter Cathedral is considered the finest

surviving example of Decorated Gothic, a
form of architecture that flourished in
England from 1270 to 1369.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/exeter
-cathedral
 THE ORIEL: GATE HALL
▪ Oriel College stands on the E. side of Oriel Street. The walls are of local Oxfordshire stone with dressings of
the same material; the roofs are covered with slates. The college was actually founded by Adam de Brome,
Rector of St. Mary's, in 1324, but Edward II became the titular founder in 1326. In the 14th century also St.
Mary's Hall, to the N. of the college, was established, to some extent as a subordinate establishment to Oriel.
The mediæval buildings of the college were entirely destroyed when the whole structure was re-built between
1620 and 1642.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/oxon/pp91-95
▪ Peterborough Cathedral is a monastic cathedral
in Cambridgeshire, England.

▪ The Norman cathedral is dedicated to Saints Peter,

Paul and Andrew and is unusual among medieval
cathedrals in Great Britain because of its triple front
(dominated by the statues of the three saints) and
overall asymmetrical appearance.

▪ The Norman tower was rebuilt in the Decorated

Gothic style in about 1350, and the Perpendicular fan
vaulting was added between 1496 and 1508.

▪ In 1541, following the Dissolution of the

Monasteries, the church survived by being selected as
the cathedral of the new diocese of Peterborough.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/peterborough-cathedr
 ▪ Manchester Cathedral is the Cathedral and
Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St
George in Manchester.

▪ The cathedral is a vibrant worshipping community.

It is also a popular venue for concerts and
exhibitions.

▪ The Booth Centre adjacent to the cathedral is a

drop-in centre for homeless people which opens
every day offering somewhere to meet, get advice
and have a cup of tea.

▪ The Cathedral Visitor Centre in Cateaton Street is

a popular conference venue and refectory.

http://www.manchester.anglican.org/churches/manchester-cathedral
 GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE IN
SPAIN AND
PORTUGAL
 Girona Cathedral (Catedral De Girona) is best known for its vast nave, being the widest
Gothic nave in the world. In fact, Girona Cathedral’s nave was the cause of much controversy. Inititially
intended to have three naves, the change in plans to just one caused much discord.
Having been built and altered over a period stretching from the 11th to the 18th centuries, Girona Cathedral
blends a variety of styles, including Romanesque, Baroque and, of course, Gothic.

http://www.historvius.com/girona-cathedral-2030/
▪ Burgos Cathedral (Catedral de Santa
María; Catedral de Burgos) is a Gothic cathedral
in northern Spain.

▪ It is notable for its vast size, magnificent Gothic

architecture, and unique history.
▪ Burgos Cathedral was added to the World
Heritage List in 1984 and Frommer's Spain calls it
one of Spain's best cathedrals.

▪ The architects principally responsible for its

construction were a Frenchman named Enrique
(who also worked on Leon Cathedral) in the 13th
century and a German named John of Cologne
(Juan de Colonia) in the 15th century.

▪ On October 31, 1984, Burgos Cathedral was

designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/burgos-cathedral
▪ The 12th-century Ávila Cathedral is a
strong, fortress-like cathedral adjoining the
famous medieval walls of Ávila.

▪ Construction on Ávila Cathedral began

in 1095 shortly after the Reconquest. The
earliest parts were in the Romanesque style
and built like a fortress.

▪ Dedicated to San Salvador, Ávila Cathedral

is truly a cathedral-castle, with battlements
and sentry walks incorporated into the
structure

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/avila-spain
▪ Founded by King Ferdinand and Queen
Isabella to commemorate their triumph over
the Portuguese at Toro in 1476,
the Monasterio de San Juan de los
Reyes was started in 1477 according to the
plans of architect Juan Guas.

▪ The church was finished, together with the

splendid cloisters, in 1504, dedicated to St.
John the Evangelist, and used from the
beginning by Franciscan friars.

▪ An example of Gothic-Spanish-Flemish
style, San Juan de los Reyes was restored after
the damage caused during Napoleon's
invasion and after its abandonment in 1835;
since 1954 it has been entrusted again to the
Franciscans.

http://www.sacreddestinations.com/spain/toledo
-monasterio-de-san-juan-monastery
▪ La Catedral Primada Santa María de
Toledo (Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo), also
known as ‘Dives Toletana’ (the Rich Toledan), is considered to
be the most spectacular piece of Spanish-Gothic architecture,
and one of the most important examples of High Gothic
structures in Spain.

▪ It is located in the heart of the city of Toledo, which as of

1986 is considered by the UNESCO a World Heritage Site.

▪ The cathedral is unanimously considered the magnum opus

of High Gothic style in Spain.

▪ Construction began in 1226 and went on for more than 250

years, it was built over the remains of a Visigothic church
which was later used as a mosque.
▪ The Gothic style was tastefully combined with Mudéjar
elements. This trait makes the cathedral a one-of-a-kind
building.

http://www.thousandwonders.net/Toledo+Cathedral
▪ Barcelona Cathedral (also known as La
Seu) is a celebrated example of Catalan Gothic
architecture dating from the 14th century.

▪ Its graceful spires can be seen from

throughout the Barri Gòtic (Gothic quarter)
of Barcelona.

▪ The elevated site occupied by the cathedral

has always been the spiritual center of
Barcelona.

▪ First there was a Roman temple, then a

mosque, and then a church.

▪ Construction on the present cathedral

began in 1298 under King Jaume II and was
completed in 1448. The west facade dates from
the 19th century.

http://www.sacreddestinations.com/spain/barcelona-ca
thedral-la-seu
▪ The Cathedral of Seville (Catedral de Sevilla) is an
expression in stone of post-Reconquest confidence and wealth.

▪ Built on the site of a mosque, it is the third largest church in

Europe and the largest Gothic building in Europe. It also
boasts the largest altarpiece in the world.

▪ Built on the site of a grand Almohad Mosque, Seville's

cathedral was built to demonstrate the city's power and wealth
after the Reconquista.

▪ The cathedral was completed in just over a century (1402-

1506), quite an achievement given its size and Gothic details. It
was probably designed by the French master architect of
Rouen Cathedral.

▪ Along with the city's Alcazar and Archivo de las Indias,

Seville Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO in 1987.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/seville-cathedral
▪ La Lonja was delared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1996 for being one of the most
stunning, most important and best preserved
examples of Late Gothic architecture in entire
Europe.

▪ Built in the beginning of 16th century, La

Lonja (Silk Exchange) is the real emblem of the
Golden Age of Valencia.

▪ La Lonja is a dramatic and ingenious blend of

medieval castle monumentalism and an
exquisite sophistication of the epoch art. It both
inspires awe with its imposing glamour, and
seduces you with its elaborate playful
ornaments. It is both powerful and light-
hearted, both solemn and sparkling with life.

http://www.valenciavalencia.com/sights-guide/sights-
listings/la-lonja.htm
▪The Torres de Serrano have been
considered the main entrance to Valencia.

▪ This is the gate through which the royal

processions of visiting kings would enter, and for
a long time, the imposing Gothic towers were
used as a prison for wicked noblemen.

▪ Considering its age, the gate has survived in

remarkable condition, and is impressive whether
you’re approaching from the Turia over the
stone bridge, or already “inside the walls”
looking at its back.

▪ Today, the Torres de Serranos are open to the

general public. You can climb all the way to the
top of either tower for a great view over both the
riverbed and the city center.

http://valencia.for91days.com/valencias-ancient-city-gates-serranos-and-quart/
 GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE
IN
NETHERLANDS
 ▪ St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral in
Brussels is named for the patron saints of Belgium
and is the primary church of the country.

▪ After the Cathedral of St. Michael was completed

circa 1047, the Duke of Brabant transferred the
relics of Saint Gudula here.

▪ In the 13th century, the cathedral was renovated

in the Gothic style. The choir was constructed
between 1226 and 1276. The facade was completed
in the mid 15th century.

▪ Today, the Cathedral of St. Michael and Gudula is

the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Mechlin-
Brussels and therefore the leading Catholic church
in Belgium. All royal weddings and christenings
take place here.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/belgium/brussels-cathedral-st-michael-gudula
▪ The towering Cathedral of
Our Lady in Antwerp is a
masterpiece of Gothic
architecture and the largest
church in Benelux.

▪ Antwerp Cathedral also

shelters four magnificent Rubens
altarpieces.

▪ Begun in 1352 and completed

by around 1520, the Cathedral of
Our Lady stands on the site of a
10th-century chapel dedicated to
the Virgin and a subsequent
Romanesque church.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/
belgium/antwerp-cathedral
 ▪ The Old Town Hall or Staduis in Bruges
is a must-see attraction in the city. Its Gothic
exterior is pretty enough, but the inside is simply
magnificent.

▪ The golden ceiling is striking and the impressive

paintings all around the walls intricately depict
important events in the history of the Bruges.

▪ The city of Bruges was governed from this room

for over 700 years and the building dates back to
1376 making it one of the oldest town halls in
Europe. The room is considered a work of art in
itself with statues, the wall paintings and an
incredible ceiling.

▪ The entrance to the town hall is in the Burg

with a ceremonial staircase leading to the Gothic
hall above.

http://www.free-city-guides.com/bruges/town-hall/
▪ The present impressive Town hall of Leuven is
the third one and construction started in 1439.

▪ It is a building in Gothic style with four corner

turrets, two ridge turrets and a balustrade around
the building.

▪ The building has only three floors. There are a few

hundred statues in the many niches around the
building and around the turrets. Some statues
represent biblical figures.

▪ There are cellars below ground floor levels. The

town hall contains a waiting hall on the ground floor,
a gothic hall, and salons.

▪ Paintings and wood carvings decorate the inside of

the town hall, mostly with religious themes.

http://www.discoverleuven.com/townhall.asp
▪ With its monumental proportions
and character the 16th century town
hall forms a prominent example of
Brabant Gothic style.

▪ UNESCO placed the central belfry

tower on the World Heritage Site.
The building has a rich history.

▪ In the 16th century Emperor

Charles, Margaret of Parma and
Alexander Farnese visited
Oudenaarde’s town hall.

▪ The town hall is located at the

Market Square. The impressive
square in the city’s center is the ideal
starting point for further exploration
of Oudenaarde and the Flemish
Ardennes.
http://www.mou-oudenaarde.be/english/collectie-stadhuis-e.html
▪ The Town Hall of Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is
considered to be one of the most beautiful, civic buildings
in the Low Countries.

▪ This stunning Gothic building is located on the equally

stunning Grand Place (Great Square), which is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most
striking urban squares in the world.

▪ This masterpiece of 15th-century Gothic architecture is

as spectacular on the inside as it is on the outside. Its
wealthy interior is made up of important historic heritage
and artistic works, such as sculptures, paintings, and
tapestries.

▪ The east wing of the present-day Town Hall is the oldest

part of the building. It was built from 1402 to 1420,
together with a little belfry, under the supervision of the
architect, Jacob van Thienen.

http://www.thousandwonders.net/Brussels+Town+Hall
 GOTHIC
ARCHITECTURE IN
THE PHILIPPINES
▪ Completed in 1891, San Sebastian Church is noted
for its architectural features. An example of the revival of
Gothic Architecture, it is the only all-steel temple in the
Philippines, and is the only prefabricated steel church in
the world.

▪ In 2006, it was included in the tentative list for possible

designation as a World Heritage Site. It was designated as
a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine
Government in 1973.

▪ The prefabricated steel sections that would compose the

church were manufactured in Binche, Belgium. Belgian
Engineers supervised the assembly of the church. The
stained glass windows were imported from the Heinrich
Oidtmann company, a German stained glass firm, while
local artisans assisted in applying the finishing touches.

http://www.manilatimes.net/18th-century-church-top-
tourist-destination/91821/
 ▪ San Pedro Cathedral, located right at the center of
Davao, is the city’s oldest church.

▪ The original structure dating back to 1847 was said to

have been built by the first Spanish settlers.

▪ The church—which serves as the seat of the Roman

Catholic Archdiocese of Davao and is considered a
National Cultural Treasure—looks as simple inside as it
does outside.

▪ The interiors are brightened by natural light; rows of

plain pews are arranged before an altarpiece done
predominantly in gold and brown and framed by a
whitewashed arch.

▪ The only hint of traditional Gothic design is in the arch

windows flanking the church’s main doorway.

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/213165/san-pedro-cathedral-davao-citys-beacon/
▪ San Fernando became an independent parish
in 1858. The current structure, called the San
Isidro Labrador Parish Church, was started in
1870 but was only finished over 10 years later
in 1886.

▪ Like many other Spanish period churches in

Cebu, the one in San Fernando is fashioned
from cut coral stones.

▪ The San Isidro Labrador Parish Church is

also among the structures of Gothic design in
Cebu.

▪ Gothic influences are shown in the church’s

rose windows as well as in the openings that
take the shape of a flamboyant arch.

http://mycebu.ph/article/centuries-old-churches-in-
southern-cebu/
 http://
www.manilatimes.net/18th-century-naic-
church-top ▪ The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known
-tourist-destination/91821/ as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in
Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

▪ The church was dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo.

Established in 1590, the church is one of the oldest in the
Ilocos Region.

▪ It is also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of

Charity (Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad) housing
the miraculous image of Virgin Mary as
Our Lady of Charity.

▪ The church was heavily damaged during World War II

and rebuilding was started in 1950. The restored façade
is of Neo-Gothic design mixed with pseudo-Romanesque
materials and elements. It is designed to be grandiose
and reminiscent of Spanish architecture. It uses materials
such as bricks and mud.
 ▪ The stone church, which the Wong Chu King
Foundation (WCKF) restored to its original 18th
century neo-Gothic glory, is Cavite’s largest.
▪ Built by the Dominicans in 1839, it features,
among others, an intricately designed gold altar
and stained glass windows.

“The restoration of the church to its original

architecture has encouraged more people to grow
in their faith, in a life of prayer and in a life of
holiness, which is God’s desire for all of us. With
this beautiful church, one can say that the presence
of God is really felt by the people,” said Bishop
Reynaldo Evangelista of the Diocese of Imus.

http://www.manilatimes.net/18th-century-naic-church
-top-tourist-destination/91821/
 ROMANESQUE vs GOTHIC
Romanesque Gothic
Radiating chapels and apse Separate Compartments Unified, unbroken space
Vault Mostly barrel-vaults, some Groin-vaulted cathedral
groin-vaults
Arch Type Rounded Arches Pointed Arches
Main Vault Support Thick walls, buttresses Exterior flying buttresses
Windows Small windows (Clerestorey) Large stained-glass windows
Elevation Horizontal, modest height Vertical, soaring
Exterior Plain, little decoration, solid Ornate, delicate, lots of
sculpture
Sculptural Decoration Thin, elongated, abstract More realistic proportions and
figures individualized features
Mood Dark, gloomy Tall, light-filled
THANK YOU!