Gothic architecture

Stages
Protogothic or early Radiant or Flamboyant
Gothic: second half of Classical Mannerist Gothic: 15th
Gothic: 13th
the 12th century Gothic: 14th century
century
century

H H
 HISTORICAL-ARTISTIC CONTEXT
The 12th century involves important transformations: there is an increase in agricultural production
thanks to technical advances and the extension of plowing. The generation of agricultural surpluses
reactivates commerce and the growth of cities (burgs). Europe is once again populated with cities.

The Gothic is favored by intense urban and commercial activity, which will turn cities into powerful
cultural centers. This is where universities will appear.

With the development of cities, civil architecture appears. The most characteristic buildings will be
the urban palaces and municipal buildings.
 Background
The essential elements that characterize the Gothic style already existed before the
birth of this architectural style, since they are dispersed in buildings of previous
ages. The pointed bow was known by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Indians and
Persians of the Sassanian dynasty, although its use was not very common. Islamic
architecture also knew it and made extensive use of it, its oldest known example
being found in the Dome of the Rock.
 however in Italy, given its classical tradition, it was
Development never introduced in depth. In each country,
however, the Gothic adopted different features:
Starting with the Abbey of Saint Denis, all Germany : the facades have a single tower and
French churches adopted the new style, the naves are usually the same height.
mainly due to their “search for luminosity” England: they usually have a very large surface
since according to the theological ideas of so they do not give a great sensation of height;
the time “God was the light.” The vaults are filled with nerves forming
It spread to the rest of Europe during the complicated drawings and do not usually have
13th much sculptural decoration.
century. Italy: Not many Gothic cathedrals were built.
Spain Many of them decorated on the outside with
and colored marble and without too many windows.
Spain: of clear French influence without reaching
their height and size.

Germany welcomed it quickly,

Some of the causes of this style in architecture are:

CAUSES OF ITS ORIGINS

■ The need for greater spaciousness and lighting in churches.

■ Greater development of the social and intellectual life of the Era.
■ The evolution of Romanesque architecture.
 HISTORICAL INTERPRETATIONS ON THE ORIGINS AND ESSENCE
OF THE GOTHIC
INTERPRETATION OF THE GERMAN SCHOOL
It is headed by Wilhelm Worringer. This is a spiritualist interpretation, for which Gothic is the
expression of the Nordic soul, as opposed to the Mediterranean or classical soul.
The Germanic conception of Gothic art pays attention to ideas and not so much to the
technical means for their realization. Forms are only interesting in relation to their mental
significance.
• INTERPRETATION OF THE FRENCH SCHOOL
It is headed by Viollet-le-Duc. This line has been followed by relevant historians from the Paris
School of Archivists, who defend the functional theory. It has been characterized by placing
emphasis on technique, construction processes and their formal conditions. They have
determined the territorial and technical origin of the style.
• INTERPRETATION OF PANOFSKY
Erwin Panofsky in his work Gothic Architecture and Scholastic Thought establishes an analogy
between Gothic architecture and the scholastic system of thought. According to Panofsky, the
Gothic cathedral is a sum of knowledge, which constitutes an intelligible whole, which
participates in a common mental structure. It is based on the idea of totality.
 ARCHITECTURAL TYPOLOGY
RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
The cathedral is the building where Gothic reaches its fullest expression, in which the effort and contribution of an
entire city is reflected. The brotherhoods and guilds usually collaborate in its construction, which usually have their
manifestation in the side chapels.
The monastery architecture also stands out, among which stands out:
• Cistercian architecture, with monasteries located in the countryside, disconnected from civil life, which
developed a leading style that would serve to spread the Gothic style throughout Europe. Although not all the
components of this architecture will serve as a foundation for the Gothic.
• The Carthusian order
• Dominicans and Franciscans.

Fontenay Abbey Church-France

V CIVIL ARCHITECTURE
The civil architecture shows the economic strength in the Late Middle Ages, the rise of commercial and artisanal activities, the
opening of new trade routes and the next discovery of America. In military architecture, the construction of castles and walls is
developed and perfected; The bridges are fortified with gates at the ends and in the middle.
Civil architecture shows the consolidation of municipal forms in the face of lordly or ecclesiastical power with the construction of
large buildings intended to serve as the headquarters of their municipal institutions and governments, among which those of the
Italian cities of Florence and Siena stand out and also those of the region of Flanders. In Catalonia, the City House and the
Generalitat Palace in Barcelona stand out. The construction of commercial markets, urban palaces, universities, hospitals and
private homes for the new urban bourgeoisie that displaced the nobility was also developed.
Likewise, during the 15th century, specifically during the last Gothic period, all civil architecture in Flanders stood out.

Palm
 MAIN CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS

It derives from the Romanesque groin

Vault of vault but is formed by pointed or
Pointed arch Vaults pointed arches. This system allows
ribbed the vault's thrusts to be concentrated
It is more rational than the at the angles and gain height.
semicircular one because being
made up of two branches that
support each other and counteract
their thrusts, it allows for greater
balance, and gain height
providing slenderness
building

2 Perpiano Arch 4 P1 item

Ogee arch

Pointed

Cruise 3 Starry

2 Sex partita 4 Fan

The secret of the Crucería Arch is that its height can

remain constant despite the different light width.
Carpanel arch
 This is when in the ribbed vault, in
addition to the diagonal ribs, there
is another transversal one that
Sexpartite
passes through the keystone, Vault Fan Vault
Vaultto the transverse arches,
parallel Starry
giving rise to six sections. The
sexpartite vault requires the turns from the angles where it joins the widely used in English
construction, in the side naves, of diagonals to the secondary keys of the Perpendicular Gothic whose
double ribbed vaults for each ligatures. radial nerves, as they open from
sexpartite .
their beginning, give rise to this
It is a ribbed vault in whose structure,
fan or umbrella shape.
in addition to transept arches,
there are others, the terceletes.
The tercelete is the arch or nerve that
STARRY Vault
SEXPARTITE CROSS Vault

Nerves Clue 1 Nerves 3 Warped nerves

2 Bow Per piano 4 P1 item

2 Tereletes 4 Ligatures
 Baquettoned Other elements
pillar for thrusts
sides
It is a pillar of circular columns
called baquetones, which are the
extension of each of the ribs of the
vault. -Pinnacles

Flying
buttresses

Gargoyle
s

TRANSVERSE SECTION of ATYPICAL GOTHIC CATHEDRAL (amiens

Exterior
buttress
ITEMS
DECORATIVE

Windows
Gothic

Cabinets
Gothic
Gargoyl
es

Capitals
 THE PROJECTION
VERTICAL OF THE
GOTHIC CATHEDRAL SE
SOLVE
TECTONICALLY WITH
GREAT ELEGANCE, OF
SUCH A WAY THAT THE
SYSTEM FORMAL BEAUTY AND
TECHNICAL STABILITY
OF THE BUILDING ARE
VALUES
NSTRUCTIVE COMPLEMENTARY
THAT START FROM THE
PERFECTION OF THE
GEOMETRIC FORMS.
 GREENHOUSE
Once SYSTEM
the cover no longer loads on the
Rose window from the outside. Predominance of tracery and form

walls these disappear big Holy Chapel of Paris ■

windo decorated with stained

w glass and
tracerí that enhance the brightness
they will take his place.
come

Strasbourg Cathedral

Rose window from the inside. Predominance of light and

color

ROSETTE

THE SAINT CHAPELLE OF PARIS

 Real system images
exterior of buttresses and
flying buttresses
 BUTSTRENTS OF
CHARTRES CATHEDRAL

The towers, spiers,

spiers (pyramidal top),
pinnacles (conical or pyramidal top), gables (pointed
top like a pediment)... are used plastically to
accentuate the upward impulse of the Gothic
construction.
 Chartres
Cathedral Paris Cathedral

It is usually flanked by two towers, topped by spiers or not;

MATERIALS
They used the
same as in
he
stone and glass
Romanesque,
(for the
itrals and

Ossetone
s).
 PLANT
It responds to two main types:
OF ROMANIC TRADITION (BASILICAL) : following the
plan used in the Romanesque, and especially the Latin
cross, but with projecting arms and chapels, often
polygonal.
LIVING ROOM : the floor plan does not have a transept
of projecting arms, although they are hinted at. It has at
least three naves of equal height and a lighting system
through windows. Since the mid-13th century, it has
been common to open chapels on the sides of the
naves, between the buttresses, normally to fulfill the
devotion of guilds and brotherhoods that had contributed
to the financing of the work.
 Double
turntable

Radial
chapels SPATIAL CONCEPTION: PLAN OF A GOTHIC CATHEDRAL
PORTICES--------------------------- 1
Towe
r

HEADBOARD
Featured Hypertrophi
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Amiens Cathedral plan

The floor plans are very similar to the Romanesque ones: three or five naves
longitudinals and chancel with transept, presbytery and finishing in
apse or ambulatory with radial chapels.
SPATIAL CONCEPTION- PLAN OF A GOTHIC CATHEDRAL
Floor plan of the Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Paris
(1163) THE GOTHIC IN
FRANCE Sint-Denis
Basilica
Space and construction
are articulated from
geometric modules that
they repeat; each section of the
vault generates a space
modular that has entity
autonomous tectonics.
This repetition generates a
ascending rhythm and
longitudinal that converges
on the altar.
1. Porch of Our Lady La Blanca.
2. Portico of San Juan de la Regla.
3. Portico of San Francisco.
4. Chapel of San Juan de Regla.
5. Ambulatory.
6. Chorus.
7. Main Altar and Altarpiece.
8. Door of Our Lady of the Dice.
9. Chapel of Saint Teresa.
10. Cloister.
11. Chapel of Saint Nicholas.
12. Chapel of the Count of Rebolledo.
13. St. Andrew's Chapel.
14. Santiago Chapel. Guzmán el Bueno Street
15. Chapel of Our Lady of Dice.
16. Transit Chapel.
20. Consolation Chapel.
17. Chapel of the Assumption. 2
21. Chapel of Christ. Cathedral Square
18. Chapel of the Conception.
22. Carmen Chapel.
19. Chapel of the Savior.
23. Chapel of San Francisco.
24. Door of the Dead.
25. Gate of San Froilan.
26. Queen's Gate.
 THE HEAD OF THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL
The Gothic chancel is wider than the
AMBULATORY Romanesque one; The arms of the transept
OR GIROLA WITH ABSIDIAL CHAPELS become shorter and take on prominence
the ambulatory or ambulatory surrounded by
radial chapels called
absidioles. In them, the brotherhoods and
artisan guilds , which had participated in the
financing of the cathedral, installed the chapels
of their patron saints.

Head of the Abbey of Saint Denis (France)

 ELEVATION AND SECTION OF A GOTHIC
CATHEDRAL

Trypho
n or

The organization of the interior elevation

follows its Romanesque precedent: arcades
that lead to the side naves, a triforium (narrow
ship
passage with arches) that replaces the
Romanesque gallery and a clerestory or body interior of laon cathedral
of windows with colored glass.
V Location: Paris, France.
V Architect: Abat Suger of Saint Denis.
{ Year: Erected in the year 1140
• Description:
It is the first construction that embraces the new
Gothic style, which is why Suger is considered
the father of Gothic architecture according to
French historians.
The cathedral witnessed great historical events,
becoming the main necropolis of kings and
queens until the year 1773.
 V Location: Ile de la Cité, France.
V Architect: There were several architects who
participated in the project.
V Year: Its construction began by order of Bishop
Maurice de Sully in the year 1163 and was completed
in the year 1345.
• Description:
It is one of the oldest French cathedrals in the
Gothic style.
Dedicated to Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ
(hence the name Notre-Dame, Our Lady), it is
located on the small Island, which is surrounded
by the waters of the Seine River.
What is most striking about the cathedral is its
west façade, with its twin towers that served as
a model for numerous Gothic churches. It is
Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral richly decorated with superb sculptures such as
its famous gargoyles.
It is the most famous church in France and
perhaps in the world, protagonist of Victor
Hugo's novel, "The Hunchback of Our Lady of
Paris."
 V Location: Bourges, France.
• Architect: Archbishop Henri de Sully and Guillaume de
Dangeon.
{ Year: 1195-1230.
• Description:
Considered one of the jewels of the Art
French Gothic.
Its unique design, sculptures and stained glass
windows are particularly notable. Admirable for
its proportions and the unity of its conception, it
is a reliable testimony that goes beyond its
architectural beauty.
This cathedral is considered a world heritage
site.

Bourges Cathedral
V Location: Ulm, Germany.
• Architect: Heinrich II Parlero.
{ Year: 1377-1890
• Description:
Ulm Cathedral is today the
tallest church tower in the world at 161.53 m.
 • Location: Florence, Italy.
• Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio.
{ Year: 1299-1314.
• Description:
It has an Italian Gothic style.
Inside, the palace houses a museum where works by
Bronzino, Michelangelo and Giorgio Vasari, among
others, are exhibited.
Among its most important rooms, the Hall of Five
Hundred stands out, whose mural decoration was
entrusted to Leonardo da Vinci (The Battle of
Anghiari) and Michelangelo (The Battle of Cascina).

Lazzo Vecchio or Old Palace

V Location: Venice , Italy.
• Architect: Andrea Palladio, Bartolomeo Bon, Antonio
da Ponte.
{ Year: 1200
• Description:
The Doge's Palace, located at the eastern end of
St. Mark's Square, is one of the symbols of the
glory and power of Venice. Gothic style building,
its two most visible facades look towards the
Venetian lagoon and St. Mark's Square.
 V Location: Norway.
V Architect: There were several architects who
participated in the project.
{ Year: 1150 .
• Description:
In some countries like Norway and Sweden,
covered in forests, magnificent wooden
cathedrals were built. The most famous and best
preserved is the Borgund church, it is different
from all other Christian churches in the world
and as disturbing as a Viking ship.

Borgund Church
V Location: United Kingdom.
• Architect: Elias de Derham.
{ Year: 1220-1320.
• Description:
It belongs to the English Gothic style. This
cathedral has the tallest tower in England at
about 123 meters.
The architect Elias de Derham took advantage of
the unusual circumstance of the green and flat
meadow to create a symmetrical and clear plan.
It conveys a feeling of elegance and distinction
that allows it to be defined as one of the most
beautiful spaces of early English Gothic.
 V Location: England, United Kingdom.
V Architect: Unknown.
V Year: Unknown.
• Description:
It is the oldest English-speaking university in the
world, located in the city of Oxford. It is a
community made up of 36 faculties closely
linked to the city.
The buildings of English architecture of
Oxford University extraordinary beauty create a panorama of high
towers, pinnacles.
 V Location: Cologne, Germany .
V Architect: Unknown.
{ Year: 1248-1880.
V Description:
It is one of the most famous churches in Europe.
Although architectural modes and styles evolved
during the long period of construction, the
appearance of the largest Gothic church in
Christendom was so striking that the original
plans were hardly modified. The avalanche of
people received daily in this church shows that
its vision is still as impressive as before.

Colonia's cathedral
 V Location: Belgium.
• Architect: Sulpicio Van Vorst, Jan Keldermans II and
Matheus de Layens.
{ Year: 1439-1469.
• Description:
The magnificent communal palace is a Gothic
jewel. The first stone dates back to the year
1439 and was placed by the architect Sulpicio
Van Vorst, after his death it continued
Keldermans and Matheus de Layens finished it.
The elegant lines are accentuated by the
proportion of the façade. The vertical
movement, so typical of the Gothic, is reinforced
by the corner towers.

Louvain anointing
V Location: Florence, Italy.
• Architect: Giotto di Bondone, Andrea Pisano and
Francesco Talenti.
{ Year: 1298-1349
• Description:
The tower, started by Giotto and completed by
Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti, is a solid
structure of almost 85 m. The imposing tower is
elegant and harmonious thanks to the windows,
which have one or two columns.
The tower is completely covered in white, green
and pink marbles.
V Location: Spain.
V Architect: Petrus Petri among others.
{ Year: 1226-1493.
• Description:
As usually happens in almost all cathedrals, several
generations also worked on this one. The master
architects came from Flanders, France and of course
from the Muslim world. The Arab influence in Spain,
which is designated by the term "Mudejar", can be
seen, for example, in the small, abstract ornaments
that cover large surfaces.
KEY FEATURES
V Gothic architecture emerged from the Romanesque but ended up
opposing the massive volumes and poor interior lighting of its
buildings.
V It developed fundamentally in religious architecture (monasteries,
churches, cathedrals) followed by civil architecture (palaces,
universities, hospitals, homes) and finally military architecture
(castles and urban walls).
V Gothic architecture essentially wanted to capture the expression
of things, reflect spaciousness, light and freedom in spaces.
V It was one of the richest periods in terms of the creation of
technological advances in the construction and design of large
buildings.
There are three main elements that give Gothic architecture its
peculiar personality: The pointed or pointed arch , the cross vault
and the buttresses . With these three elements, Gothic architects
revolutionized medieval construction.