Gothic architecture is more than just amazing. It is timeless and often breathtaking. Needless to say, Gothic architecture was one of the most extreme expressions of humanity. The fact is, you never know when or where you will encounter it. unique style architecture. From American churches to grandiose cathedrals and even some civic buildings, Gothic architecture is still loved by people today, but nothing compares to the classic Gothic architecture that we'll be illustrating in this article.

There are several different types, but they are all beautiful. From French to English to Italian style, Gothic architecture is like no other. France was the birthplace of Gothic architecture, and if you look at the history of Gothic architecture, it's almost spiritual. That's why you often see 12th century cathedrals, and even modern churches built in the beautiful style of Gothic architecture. It is one of the most captivating architectural styles known today. The beauty lies in the extreme complexity of the designs and in every small detail of the finish. These works of art have stood the test of time.

These are just a few of the many wonderful designs of Gothic architecture that are available for public viewing. These structures are again simply indescribable. If you ever get a chance to see one of these marvelous works of art, then you can understand the true grandeur, the nostalgic history or the realism of the ghostly images that seem to wander through the indescribably beautiful halls of these stunning buildings. Nothing compares to what you will feel when standing in front of one of these wonderful buildings.

10. St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

St. Stephen's Cathedral, which was built in 1147, stands on the ruins of two churches that used to be on this site. This is a perfect example of all it has to offer. Gothic architecture. In fact, it is considered the metropolis of the great Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, and also serves as the seat of the archbishop. It is the most important religious building in Austria.

St. Stephen's Cathedral has endured the test of time and witnessed many historical events. It is covered with a beautifully painted roof, which currently stands as one of the city's most unique and recognizable religious symbols. The exquisite fortress is distinctive feature Vienna skyline.

There's something about the structure of the building that many of us don't know about - the north tower was actually meant to be a mirror image of the south tower. The building was originally planned to be much more ambitious, but given that the Gothic era had passed, construction stopped in 1511 and a cap in the style of Renaissance architecture was added to the north tower. Now the inhabitants of Vienna call it "the top of the water tower."

Locals also refer to the entrance to the building as "Riesentor" or "giant's door". The bells that were once housed in the Heidentürme (south tower) were lost forever during World War II. However, there is a belfry on the north tower which is still functioning. The oldest parts of St Stephen's are its Roman towers and the giant's door.

9. Mir Castle


Mir Castle is a breathtaking example of 16th century Gothic architecture located in the Grodno region. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Belarus. The famous Prince Ilyinich built it in the early 1500s. However, the construction of this 3-storey castle began as the construction of a gothic work of art. It was later finished by its second owner, Mikołaj Radzivilla, in the Renaissance style. The castle was once surrounded by a moat, and beautiful Italian gardens are laid out against its northern wall.

Mir Castle suffered significant damage during Napoleonic Wars. Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky bought it, and began restoring it before handing it over to his son for complete completion. Mirsky's son hired a well-known architect named Teodor Bursze to fulfill his father's wishes, and his family owned Mir Castle until 1939.

The castle once served as a ghetto for Jews after they were liquidated by Nazi forces. Subsequently, it became a housing stock, but today the Mir Castle is a National Heritage Site. This is a huge part of the local and national culture, and a phenomenal piece of Gothic architecture that both locals and tourists can admire.

8. Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp (Antwerp Cathedral)

Antwerp Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp, is a Roman Catholic building in Antwerp, Belgium. The construction of this outstanding masterpiece of Gothic architecture began in 1352 and continued until 1521. Construction was stopped in 1521 and today remains unfinished.

The cathedral stands where, from the ninth to the twelfth century, there was a small chapel of Our Lady. Now it is the largest and most spectacular gothic architectural style church in the Netherlands.

Looking at this royal building, it is hard to imagine that in 1533 a fire destroyed it and this, in fact, was the reason that it was not finished. However, due to its amazing beauty, it became an archbishop's cathedral in 1559. From the early 1800s to the mid-1900s, it was empty again and was even damaged during several local wars.

The amazing building has endured the test of time, war, fire, and its story found a happy ending when it was completely restored in the 19th century thanks to restoration. In 1993 the restoration that had begun in 1965 was finally completed and this impressive masterpiece of Gothic architecture and work of art was re-opened to the public.

7. Cologne Cathedral

What a majestic masterpiece of gothic architectural art! Its construction lasted from 1248 to 1473, then it stopped and resumed only in the 19th century. Like many of its statute buildings, Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church and is located in Cologne, Germany. It serves as the residence of the archbishop, beloved by the people, as well as the archdiocese. This monument is a beacon and a symbol of both German Catholicism and outstanding and memorable Gothic architecture. Cologne Cathedral is also on the World Heritage List and is Germany's most visited tourist attraction.

The Gothic architecture presented in this building is simply amazing. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe with the second tallest sphere. This building also has the largest façade of any church in the world today. The width-to-height ratio of the kliros compared to other medieval churches puts it in first place in this category as well.

There are so many beautiful things to see in this indescribably beautiful building that in order to truly appreciate them, you have to see them with your own eyes.

Its design was based on that of the Amiens Cathedral. It repeats the design with a Latin cross and high Gothic vaults. In the cathedral you can see beautiful stained glass windows, a high altar, original fixtures and much more. It truly can be called a modern treasure.

6. Burgos Cathedral (Cathedral of Burgos)


This example of Gothic architecture of the 13th century again appears before us in all its glory. Burgos Cathedral is an immaculately built and finely detailed cathedral located in Spain and occupied by Catholics. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This is a huge architectural masterpiece, the construction of which was started in 1221 and continued until 1567. The cathedral was built in the French Gothic style. Later in the 15th and 16th century, elements of the Renaissance architectural style were also introduced into its structure. It was included in the list of cathedrals considered World Heritage of Cathedrals and Gothic architecture at the end of 1984, thus becoming the only Spanish cathedral to have this status.

There are many things to admire in this historically rich and beautiful place. From the statues of the 12 Apostles to the Condestable Chapel and the entire work of art, there are many more than we can describe in this article. The cathedral is Gothic to the core and is filled with angels, knights and heraldry among other stunning beauties.

5. St Vitus Cathedral


This magnificent example of Gothic architecture is located in Prague. St. Vitus Cathedral is much more beautiful than words can describe. The cathedral was built in strictly Gothic style. He's just amazing. If you ever get a chance to look at it - be sure to do it. This opportunity is definitely given only once in a lifetime!

The cathedral is not only a wonderful example of Gothic architecture, the church itself is the most revered and important in the country. It is also the largest cathedral. It is located next to Prague Castle(Prague Castle) and the tombs of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, in addition, the remains of Czech kings are buried there. The whole complex, of course, is in the possession of the state.

4. Westminster Abbey


Westminster Abbey is also known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster. For the most part, the abbey is built in the Gothic style and is one of the most notable religious buildings in London.

According to legend, in the late 1000s, on the site where Westminster Abbey is now located, there was a church called Thorn Ey (Thorn Ey). The construction of Westminster Abbey, according to legend, was begun at the request of Henry III in 1245 to prepare the place of his burial. More than 15 royal weddings have been held at the abbey.

This amazing work of Gothic architecture has witnessed many historical events, wars, it has suffered its share of damage, and survived many days of glory. Now it is a constant reminder of the events of bygone days.

3. Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres. This is a Roman, medieval Catholic cathedral, which is located in France. Most of it was built between 1194 and 1250 and it has been remarkably well preserved. In the 13th century, minor changes were made to the design of this outstanding work of Gothic architecture, but in general it remained almost the same as it was originally. The Holy Shroud of the Virgin Mary is kept in Chartres Cathedral. It is believed that the shroud was on Mary at the time of the birth of Jesus. This building and the relic it houses are popular tourist attractions that attract many Christians.

2. Rheinstein Castle (Burg Rheinstein)


Rheinstein Castle is a majestic castle perched on a hillside in Germany. It is simply an unforgettable sight, and the style of Gothic architecture used in its construction cannot be compared with other buildings of the same time period.

It was built between 1316 and 1317, but by 1344 it began to fall into disrepair. However, in 1794 it was bought and restored by Prince Fredrick of Persia, who lived there until 1863.

1. Oudenaarde Town Hall


Finally we come to the description of the Town Hall of Oudenarde. This is a delightfully beautiful town hall in Oudenaarde, Belgium. The architect behind this masterpiece is Hendrik van Pede and it was built between 1526 and 1537. This building must be seen by all those people who love history and fine art or old buildings.

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Gothic style in architecture is the most majestic and monumental. It is the only one of all areas of building design that has a cult, religious flavor. It was mainly used in the construction of Catholic churches, cathedrals, churches. Therefore, the Gothic style gained popularity in those countries in which this religion dominates.

Gothic cannot be imitated with the help of facing materials and finishing works. This direction of architecture is expressed in the very design of the buildings, giving them a graceful and at the same time majestic look. All of them have one feature: they look much smaller from the outside than from the inside.

The basis of such buildings is a frame consisting of special "ribs" - ribs, buttresses, flying buttresses. These are the main structural elements, the use of which helps to reduce the load on the walls and distribute it correctly. This made it possible to build the widest window openings and high vaults, to use stained-glass windows in the design of buildings. Due to the strong frame, it was possible to significantly reduce the weight of the buildings and increase their area and height.

Gothic architectural compositions cannot be confused with ensembles of other styles. Gothic has only its inherent features: special expression and dynamics, expressiveness of decorative elements. Buildings built in this style are real works of art, a legacy of the culture of the Middle Ages.

The characteristic features of Gothic architecture are the soaring peaked domes and steles, high vaults, wide lancet arches, and massive columns. The huge interior spaces of cathedrals and temples are designed to emphasize the insignificance of man before God. The carefully thought-out design of the building frame made it possible to achieve high-quality sound effects that ensure the audibility of the pastor's voice in the most remote corners of the church.

Types of vaults of Gothic buildings

One of the main elements of Gothic buildings is the vault. It consists of special parts of the frame - ribs, which means "vein" or "rib" in translation. The cross vault was the first to be invented, which later became the main element of buildings in the Gothic style. In addition to it, there are other types of vaults:

• stellate;
• hexagonal;
• fan;
• reticulate.

Each of them is the basis of a dome or arch, is a supporting structure for walls and roofs. With the development of the architectural style, not only massive ribs, but also thinner and more elegant lintels - tierserons and liernes began to be included in the frame of the vaults. These are auxiliary elements, the presence of which allows the formation of curvilinear structures.

Star vault - photo

Gothic design elements

An invariable attribute of Gothic is sculptural compositions. These are integral elements of the design of any Catholic cathedral or temple. Sculptures are designed to impart spirituality to the space and give it a special, religious meaning. Gothic is characterized by the decoration of buildings with sculptures of prophets, angels, saints. Often the compositions of figures convey the meaning of religious tests and instructions. In any temple there are sculptures of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Each element of building design is designed to influence the soul and mind of an ordinary person, to evoke an emotional response and a sense of admiration for the greatness of God.

Early Gothic (early-mid-twelfth century) has simpler and more concise features. These buildings are characterized by wide portals for entering the building, which were closed with massive doors. Starting from the 13th century, the frame style began to be used in the construction of Gothic buildings. From the beginning of the XIV century, the facades of the cathedrals began to be decorated with stucco and sculptural compositions. Moreover, the design elements were conceived along the entire height of the walls.

Cathedrals and temples were often rebuilt, so in one building you can see the features of different directions and stages of development of the Gothic. Starting from the 16th century, this style of architecture began to gradually lose its former significance, as the Baroque and Renaissance began to come to the fore.

In addition to sculptures and stucco moldings, decorative elements such as openwork tents and portals are used in the design of Gothic-style buildings. Inside the buildings are majestic columns, which are the supporting elements of the structure. The upper parts of the adjacent columns form a kind of tents or vaults, decorated with various bas-reliefs.

Gothic stained glass

The most important attribute of the Gothic style is stained-glass windows. These design elements of Catholic cathedrals and temples are distinguished by bright saturated colors, contrasting with the often dark color of the walls. Each stained glass window is a work of art, the result of many years of work of artists and glass specialists.

Any element of the design of Gothic buildings carries some meaning, most often a religious one. Stained glass windows are no exception. Each of them is a picture depicting a scene from the life of saints or other characters in Catholic books. Despite the huge area of ​​stained-glass windows and their color saturation, they look gray and faded from the outside of the building. All their beauty is revealed only when sunlight passes through the glass. Multi-colored radiance gives the space of the cathedrals a special flavor and solemnity.

Religious scenes in numerous stained-glass windows of religious buildings so often and in detail detailed the plots of religious books that over time they were ranked among some equivalents of handwritten texts.

If you want to decorate your house in the Gothic style, this can be done indoors. Sculptures, bas-reliefs, stained-glass windows and columns will help create an appropriate monumental and religious atmosphere. In order to give the structure the features of Gothic architecture, you can use several tricks:

• decorate the facade with decor elements that match the style;
• install sculptures;
• decorate windows with stained glass;
• attach polyurethane false columns and arches to the walls of the house.

Prices for stained glass self-adhesive films

Stained glass self-adhesive films

What you need to make stained glass

Decorating a house in the Gothic style involves the installation of massive stained-glass windows made of colored glass. The dimensions of these structures are very significant, therefore, of all the techniques for connecting pieces of glass, only one can be used: “soldered stained glass”.

What will be required to create this spectacular decor element?

1. Multi-colored glass with a thickness of at least 2 mm.
2. Lead, copper, steel or brass profile.
3. Frame material: metal, wood.
4. Glass processing machine.
5. Thick paper or cardboard for making a template.
6. glass cutter
7. Lead or copper adhesive tape.
8. Solder, rosin.
9. Flux.
10. Special tongs and wire cutters for breaking glass.

Preparation of the workplace, materials and tools

The main work in the manufacture of soldered stained glass is cutting and turning glass. This material requires careful handling, so you need a spacious, smooth and level table. Its optimal height is 5-10 cm above the waist of the person who will be engaged in the manufacture of stained glass.

Choice of glass cutter

The main tool with which you will have to work is a glass cutter. You can use any one that is most convenient:

• oil;
• roller;
• diamond;
• victorious.

When choosing a tool, it is important to pay attention to how comfortable its handle (handle) is. It is best to buy a glass cutter with a diamond cutting edge. But it should be noted that in the process of work it will need to be sharpened periodically. Therefore, at the same time as a glass cutter, it is recommended to purchase a special sharpening machine or a bar with a coating of diamond dust.

Suitable for cutting stained glass and a tool with automatic lubricant supply: oil glass cutter. Universal is equipped with a fixed head. It is useful for cutting glass in straight lines. To obtain curved edges, it is recommended to use an oil glass cutter with a rotating head.

The choice of grinder

For turning glass pieces, special grinders such as Kristall 2000 S, Edima E1M, DIAMANTOR are used. This is a professional equipment equipped with water supply and cooling mechanisms. Any of these machines has a high-quality system of protection against injuries, which ensures maximum comfort when turning glass.

Despite the fact that this equipment belongs to the category of professional, it is quite affordable. You can buy it in specialized stores. Some stained glass workshops offer used tools at a reasonable price. For a novice master, the Kristall series grinders are most convenient. They are distinguished by the ease of changing the cutting head and the possibility of using an additional belt mechanism for glass turning.

From improvised tools you will need tongs and pliers. For work with glass with a thickness of 4 mm or more, a glass breaker will be required. Many craftsmen use tongs and devices for 3-point glass breaking in their work. When choosing improvised tools, they are guided by the complexity of the stained glass pattern and the thickness of the glass.

Selecting the profile and frame of the stained-glass window

To make a stained glass window in the Gothic style, you will need a frame for connecting glass modules. This ensures the strength and durability of the structure. To create a frame, you can use any profile: brass, lead, copper, steel. Otherwise, these materials are called "broach".

To ensure the strength and beauty of large-sized structures, a forged profile is ordered. This stained glass window looks solid and lasts a long time. The forged profile has only one drawback: the high price. The best choice for strengthening a massive stained-glass window is a lead profile. It has significantly greater rigidity than copper and brass. But brass has more attractive appearance and is often used in the manufacture of stained glass "Tiffany".

Any of the listed types of profiles is H-shaped, U-shaped, Y-shaped. Broaches of the first type are needed to connect stained glass modules. U-shaped profiles are needed for edging the structure and making the frame. With the help of Y-shaped broaches, the stained-glass window is inserted into special frames equipped with slots.

Elegant, thin, easy to bend even by hand, used for beveled glass with a thick edge

Selection of tools and materials for soldering

On sale there are special soldering irons for stained glass work. They are equipped with a voltage regulator and allow you to replace the tip. The last point is especially important, since most of the work on assembling a soldered stained glass window cannot be done with a soldering iron with a thick tip. Masters recommend purchasing a tool with a power of 65-100 watts. This power is sufficient for high-quality connection of pieces of glass of any size.

In addition to a soldering iron, you will need solder. The best choice is POS-61 or POS ─ 63. Sold in reels and rods. The average thickness is 3 mm. This solder can be used with a 40W soldering iron. This tool has a thin tip, which makes the soldering process more convenient and faster.

Solder POS-61 with rosin

To work with solder, you need flux. Among the masters there is no consensus on which flux is better. But the general recommendation is this: while there is no skill in making soldered stained-glass windows, it is advisable to buy a universal one. With experience comes an understanding of which is the most convenient.

If the stained glass pattern includes many small details, each piece of glass will need to be wrapped around the edge with a special adhesive foil tape. Large stained glass elements are connected with a broach. The tape is sold in reels, the width of the strip can be different: 4.76 mm, 5.16 mm, 6.35 mm. The foil can be with or without a black backing. If you plan to work with light-colored glass, when looking at the stained-glass window from the side, the black substrate may be noticeable.

Prices for various types of soldering irons

How to make a stained glass window template

For stained glass in the Gothic style, you need to choose not an abstract drawing, but a real picture depicting scenes from Catholic books. Those who are not adherents of this religion can choose drawings with images of animals and birds, planets and stars.

As a rule, Gothic stained glass has a significant height and width. Therefore, drawing a sketch that will serve as a template will be difficult even for those who have the skills of an artist. The easiest way is to find a suitable drawing in electronic format and print it on several sheets of paper. You can also draw a sketch yourself using the CoralDrow program. To cut the template, you will need a plotter, so you will need to resort to the services of workshops for the manufacture of signs, advertising posters and banners.

It is important that all sketch lines are clear and have no gaps. If necessary, some details can be drawn with a felt-tip pen or marker. The finished template must be fixed on the desktop. To do this, you can use double-sided tape, buttons, small carnations and wooden slats. You need to make sure that the sketch is motionless. In this case, the set of stained glass will be easier and more convenient.

Brazed stained glass manufacturing technology

Step 1. On the template fixed on the desktop, they mark what color each element of the picture will be. You can make marks with colored felt-tip pens or sign with a simple pencil.

Step 2 Choose a piece of glass of the desired color and place it on top of the corresponding part of the picture.

Transferring details to film

Step 3 If the lines of the pattern are clearly visible through the glass, they are drawn along the contour of the part with a glass cutter. If the lines are hard to see, draw them on the glass. When working with a glass cutter, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of stained glass art masters:

• the glass surface must be clean (if necessary, it must be degreased);
• the cut should be fast enough and uniform, without excessive pressure;
• at correct execution cut, a characteristic sound of glass crackling should be heard;
• 5-7 mm before the end point of the cut, you need to loosen the pressure on the glass;
• it is impossible to carry out with a glass cutter several times along the same line.

Step 4 Turn on the grinder and bring the edge of the glass to the rotating head. Lightly touching the mechanism, grind the part. During work, they perform a “fitting”: they put the cut element of the drawing on the template and check the conformity of the sizes and bends of the lines.

Step 5 The turned piece of glass is wrapped with adhesive foil tape. To accomplish this task, you can use special tools: rollers. But you can do without them. The tape is glued so that its edges cover the glass on both sides, protruding 1 mm beyond the edge. Therefore, the width of the tape must match the thickness of the glass, taking into account this requirement.

Step 5 When a part of the drawing is ready and all of its glass-cut elements are laid on the template, they begin to solder. Heat the soldering iron to the desired temperature, take a bar of solder and apply it to the junction line of two pieces of glass.

Step 6. They touch the solder with a soldering iron and "lead" the solder along the line of the drawing.

Step 7. After all the joints between the elements of the template have been worked out, the glass sheet is turned over and the same work is repeated: the pieces of glass are soldered to each other.

Step 8 When several drawing modules are ready, they begin to connect them using a broach. At this stage of work, an H-shaped profile is used. It is flexible enough to bond glass even with complex curves.

Step 9 After assembling the stained glass window, it must be installed in the frame. If the canvas turned out to be lightweight enough, you can use slotted wooden glazing beads. In this case, you will need a Y-shaped profile, the narrow part of which is inserted into the slots.

For heavy stained-glass windows, wooden or metal frames with a U-shaped section are used. The width of these strips must match the thickness of the glass, taking into account the two layers of solder and adhesive tape.

Step 10 The stained-glass window in the frame is installed in the window opening.

Installation of a false facade

In order to give the building a Gothic flavor, it is necessary to decorate the facade in the appropriate style. Before starting work, it is recommended to carefully consider photos of Gothic cathedrals and castles, to choose decor elements suitable for a particular building.

Gothic is characterized by gray gloomy tones. Therefore, facade panels imitating natural stone masonry are suitable.

You can install false polyurethane columns and arches, which will give the impression of massive openings and vaults, characteristic of the Gothic architectural style. But it should be noted that polyurethane foam is a material of white or other light color. All of them are unusual for Gothic. Therefore, columns and arches will need to be painted in gray or another chosen color.

Prices for types of false facades

False facade

Facade decoration with false columns

When choosing polyurethane foam decor elements, it should be taken into account that most of the false columns offered by manufacturers have an openwork frame. These decorative elements are suitable for decorating the facade in the Baroque style. Gothic is characterized by simplicity and brevity of lines. Therefore, you need to choose those elements that have as few fanciful curls as possible.

The whole complex of works can be divided into three stages:

• facade preparation;
• installation of decorative elements;
• coloring of polyurethane foam.

Prices for finished stucco columns

Stucco columns

Preparatory stage

First of all, you need to make a visual inspection of the walls and make sure that they do not require cosmetic repairs. If the situation is reversed, proceed to the preparation of the facade.

Step 1. Remove the old finishing layer from the walls.

Step 2 If there are cracks, clean them out, while removing all weakly adhering particles.

Step 3 Dust the surface with a rag or vacuum cleaner.

Step 4 The walls are primed for 1-2 layers, using special compositions for processing facades.

Step 5 Cracks are sealed with a cement-sand mortar prepared in a ratio of 3: 1 (one part of cement grade not lower than M400 and 1 part of quarry sand).

Cologne Cathedral. Germany.

The Gothic style, sometimes called the artistic style, is the final stage in the development of the art of the Middle Ages in the countries of Central, Western and partly Eastern Europe. The term "Gothic" was introduced during the Renaissance as a derogatory designation for all the architectural art of the Middle Ages, which was considered truly "barbaric".

Cathedral of Las Lajas. Colombia.

The Gothic style is characterized by the features of a symbolic-allegorical type of thinking and the conventions of artistic language. The primacy of architecture and traditional types of structures Gothic inherited from Romanesque style. A special place in Gothic art was occupied by the cathedral, which was the highest example of architectural synthesis with painting and sculptural trends. The space of such a cathedral was incommensurable with a person – the verticals of its arches and towers, the subordination of sculptures to the dynamism of architectural rhythms and the multi-colored radiance of stained-glass windows had a captivating effect on the faithful.

The development of Gothic art also reflected key changes in the construction of medieval society - the beginning of the formation of centralized powers, the growth and strengthening of megacities, the advancement of the forces of the nobility, as well as court and knightly circles. Here, civil architecture and urban planning are intensively developed. The architectural ensembles of cities included secular and religious buildings, bridges, fortifications and wells. Often, the main square of the city was lined with houses with arcades, where the lower floors were occupied by retail and warehouse premises. And it was from the square that all the main streets diverged with narrow facades of two or three-story houses, decorated with high gables. The cities were enveloped by powerful walls with travel towers. Feudal and royal castles gradually turned into the most complex complexes of palaces, fortifications and places of worship. In the center of the city, as a rule, there was a cathedral or castle, which became the heart of city life.

Milan Cathedral.

The complex but bold frame structure of the Gothic period cathedral, which embodied the triumph of the architect's daring thought, made it possible to surpass the massiveness of the Romanesque structures, lightening the vaults and walls and creating a dynamic integrity. inner space. Using the frame, the walls ceased to be load-bearing elements of buildings. It seemed that there were no walls at all. Lancet vaults were superior to semicircular ones because of their variability, being structurally ahead in many positions.

It is in Gothic that the complication and enrichment of the consonance of arts comes, the expansion of the plot system, which reflected the medieval worldview. There is an interest in the real forms of nature, in the feelings and physical beauty of a person, a new interpretation is given to the theme of motherhood, martyrdom, the suffering of morality and the sacrificial stability of a person. In the Gothic style of architecture, tragic affects are organically intertwined with lyricism, social satire with spiritual loftiness, folklore with a fantastic grotesque, and the sharpness of life observations.

The Gothic style originated in Northern France in the middle of the 11th century and reached its peak by the first half of the 11th century. The stone cathedrals of the Gothic work in France received their own classical form. A similar structure was usually made up of three to five nave basilicas with transverse naves - transepts and an ambulatory, to which radial chapels adjoined. The impression of an indomitable movement towards the altar and upwards is created by slender pillars, the great rise of lancet arches and the rapid pulse of the triforium. Due to the contrast of the main high nave, as well as the semi-dark side naves, a rich painting of aspects appears, a boundless sense of space.

types of arches.

Gothic ornament.

Gothic capitals.

The Gothic frame system originated in the abbey church of Saint-Denis (1137-1144). The cathedrals in Paris, Lane and Chartres can also be attributed to the young Gothic. The richness of rhythm, the perfection of compositional architecture and the impeccability of decorative sculpture - that is what distinguishes the stunning cathedrals and temples of the mature Gothic in Amiens and Reims. The Parisian chapel Sainte-Chapelle (1243-1248) with many stained-glass windows also belongs to the Gothic cathedrals of the middle of the 11th century. The crusaders also brought the principles of Gothic architecture to Rhodes, Syria and Cyprus.

Late Gothic in interiors is already spreading sculptural altars that combine wooden painted and gilded sculptures with temperamental painting on wooden boards. Here, a new emphatic structure of images is already taking shape, distinguished by intense (often exalted) expression, which is especially evident in the scenes of the suffering of Christ and other saints, conveyed with irreconcilable truthfulness.

As a result, we can conclude that due to the solution of only one architectural problem, not even related to construction, a whole trend in art was born, and, one might say, by chance a mysterious and amazing style was created - Gothic.

Notre Dame Cathedral. (Notre Dame de Paris)

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris)

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is the heart of Paris. The lower part of the facade has three portals: the portal of the Virgin Mary on the left, the portal of St. Anne on the right, and between them is the portal of the Last Judgment. Above them rises an arcade of twenty-eight statues of the Jewish kings. The center of the façade is adorned with a large rose-shaped window, decorated with stone patterns and stained-glass windows. The bronze bell, donated to the Cathedral in 1400, weighing six tons, is located in the right tower of the Cathedral. Subsequently, the bell was melted down again, and the inhabitants of Paris threw jewelry into the molten bronze, from which, according to stories, the ringing of the bell acquired a clear and sonorous timbre.

The cathedral, as a model of the divine universe, looks upward, towards the sky. There are no sharp spiers on top of the towers, contrary to the project. This decision was made so that the harmony of the entire structure would not be disturbed. And from the inside, the temple amazes with the volume and breadth of space. Neither massive pillars nor bare walls remind of the massiveness of the Cathedral. There is a beautiful tradition associated with the Cathedral. Every year, on the first of May each year, artists donate paintings, sculptures and other creations. They decorate the chapels on the right side of Notre Dame Cathedral. It also contains two statues: the Virgin Mary, after whom the Cathedral is named, and the statue of St. Dionysius. In memory of the reign of Louis XIII and Louis XIV in the central part of the Notre Dame Cathedral there are their sculptural images. Bas-reliefs on the theme of the New Testament adorn the outer part of the choir. In 1886, the rite of acceptance of the Catholic faith by the writer Paul Claudel took place in the Cathedral, as evidenced by a bronze plate with an inscription mounted in the floor of the transept. Notre Dame Cathedral itself is immortalized in the work of the same name by Victor Hugo.

The elements of the Gothic cathedral define its image. Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) (1248-1437, 1842-1880)

The main Gothic element that defines the majestic image of the cathedrals is the frame system of the supporting structure of the building, thanks to which a new way of distributing the load has become.

Any building experiences the following types of loads: its own weight, as well as additional weight, for example, from snow. Loads are transferred to the foundation through load-bearing structures

The frame system arose on the basis of the cross vault of the Romanesque period: the architects of that period sometimes laid out stone “ribs” protruding outward between the stripping of the cross vaults. At that time, such ribs had a decorative value. Gothic architects introduced an innovative idea that set a general trend in style: the ribs that served to decorate Romanesque buildings turned into, which formed the basis of the frame system. The massive Romanesque vault was replaced by a ribbed vault of diagonally intersecting ribs. The space between the ribs was filled with light masonry of stone or brick.

The ribs of the vault in the church of San Francisco in Assisi.

Church of San Francesco in Assisi - the Basilica of St. Francis at the monastery of Santo Convento (La Basilica di San Francesco d "Assisi) - the temple of the Franciscan order in the city of Assisi. Italy. Architect brother Ilia Bombardone. 1228-1253.

The rib vault made it possible to cover irregularly shaped spaces, and, in addition, the shrinkage of the soil, which was characteristic of Romanesque buildings, was not terrible for Gothic buildings. Thanks to the rib vault, the lateral thrust and vertical load have decreased. The arch no longer rests on the walls of buildings, it has become light and openwork due to the redistribution of loads. The thickness of the walls no longer affected the bearing capacity of the building. As a result, from a thick-walled massive structure, thanks to new Gothic elements, the buildings turned into thin-walled ones. The pressure from the vault was transferred to the abutments, columns, redistributing the lateral thrust from the walls to the architectural Gothic elements: flying buttresses and buttresses.

The flying buttress is an arch built of stone. Flying buttresses were intended to transfer pressure from the vaults to the supporting pillars - buttresses. In the early period of the Gothic style, the flying buttress was designed to receive only lateral loads, then they began to build it in such a way that it also received part of the vertical loads. Arches were originally built under the roofs of buildings, but since such a design interfered with the illumination of the interior of the temples, they began to be created outside the building. There are two-span, two-tier versions of such arches, as well as combined designs. The buttress, an element of Gothic architecture, is a pillar that should give the wall greater stability, counteract the expansion force of the vaults. The buttresses were several meters away from the walls and were connected to the structure by flying buttresses - thrown over arches.

The flying buttresses of the Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame - Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. Not completed. Construction began in 1015, the North Tower (1439) was designed by the Cologne architect Johann Hulz. The South Tower was not completed).

The architectural Gothic elements include:- pinnacle- an architectural element that was installed in order to prevent shear forces. Pinnacle is a pointed turret, which was installed on top of a buttress in the place where the flying buttress adjoins it. - Arch. In Gothic, they abandoned the semicircular arch and replaced them with lancet ones.

Architectural gothic elements.

Gothic columns in York Minster

Sometimes a lawn is arranged inside the cathedral for a number of events.

Arched vault, consisting of two segmental arcs intersecting with each other.

General description of Gothic architecture

The internal space, the incorporeal air environment into which a person enters, acquired in the Gothic cathedral that force of artistic influence, which heavy stone masses had in the East, in Greece - architectural forms carved from stone.

In terms of capacity and height, Gothic cathedrals far exceed the largest Romanesque cathedrals.

Construction scheme of a gothic cathedral

The most conspicuous technical means used by the Gothic are lancet arches and a frame system with a ribbed vault. They give the cathedral a special appearance and stability. Buttresses and flying buttresses are included in the external frame structure of the cathedral, being not only an ornament, but also a load-bearing element, taking a serious load from the outer walls.

The history of the emergence of Gothic architecture

Gothic originated in the 12th century in northern France. In the following centuries, it spread to many European countries.

In the 11th and 12th centuries, the formation of the urban bourgeoisie provided an impetus for the development of culture and the economy. On this wave, in the cities, widespread construction of buildings of a new archetype began, which, after a couple of centuries, began to be called Gothic. The name of this style belongs to the Italian architect, painter and writer Giorgio Vasari. Thus, he expressed his attitude towards the architectural style, which seemed to him rude and barbaric.

Gothic cathedrals were not built without taxes from the townspeople. Often, construction was interrupted for decades during wars and natural disasters. Many cathedrals remained unfinished. Some cathedrals started out in one style and ended up in another. For example, Chartres Cathedral (1145-1260), decorated with two stylistically different towers.

The main preference was given to the construction of large cathedrals, churches and castles.

In the architecture of Western Europe, Gothic can be divided into 3 types, corresponding to different time periods:

1. Early Gothic or lancet (1140-1250). Transition from Romanesque to Gothic. This has been happening since the middle of the 12th century in France, England and Germany. It is characterized by powerful walls of buildings and high arches.
   

   

2. High (Mature) Gothic. XIII-XIV centuries (1194-1400) Improvement of early Gothic and acceptance of it as the urban architectural style of Europe. Mature (high) Gothic is characterized by a frame structure, rich architectural compositions, a large number of sculptures and stained glass windows.
   
   

   

3. Late Gothic (flaming). 14th century 1350-1550. The name comes from the flame-like patterns used in the design of buildings. This is the highest form of Gothic architecture, where the main attention is paid to decorative elements. Ornaments in the form of "fish bubble". This period is characterized by the development of sculptural art. Sculptural compositions not only brought up religious feelings in people, depicting scenes from the Bible, but also reflected the life of ordinary people.
   

   

Unlike Germany and England, late Gothic in France, devastated by the Hundred Years War, did not develop widely and did not create a large number of significant works. The most significant late Gothic buildings include: the Church of Saint-Maclou (Saint-Malo), Rouen, the Cathedral of Moulin, Milan Cathedral, Seville Cathedral, Nantes Cathedral.

In the homeland of Gothic, in France, the following stages of this style are distinguished:

- Lancet Gothic (early) (1140-1240)

- Radiant Gothic or Rayonnant - "shining style" (1240-1350)

The style of Gothic architecture that developed in France after the 20s of the 13th century is called “radiant” - in honor of the typical for that period ornament in the form of sun rays that adorned graceful rose windows. Thanks to technical innovations, the forms of openwork stone decoration of windows have become richer and more refined; complex patterns were now made according to preliminary drawings made on parchment. But despite the increased complexity of the ornaments, the decorative structure still remained two-dimensional, devoid of volume.

- Flaming Gothic (late) (1350-1500)

In England and Germany, slightly different stages of the Gothic style in architecture are distinguished:

- Lancet Gothic. 13th century A characteristic element is the divergent bundles of ribs of the vaults, resembling a lancet.

Cathedral in the city of Durham. lanceolate gothic
The interior of the cathedral in the city of Durham. "Bundling bundles" of ribs. lanceolate gothic

- Decorated Gothic. 14th century Decorative comes to replace the severity of early English Gothic. The vaults of Exeter Cathedral have additional ribs, and it seems as if a huge flower grows above the capitals.

Cathedral in Exeter. Decorated gothic
Interior of Exeter Cathedral. Decorated gothic

- Perpendicular Gothic. XV century. The predominance of vertical lines in the pattern of decorative elements. In Gloucester Cathedral, the ribs run away from the capitals, creating a semblance of an open fan - such a vault is called a fan vault. Perpendicular Gothic existed until the beginning of the 16th century.

- Tudor Gothic. First third of the 16th century. During this period, buildings are built in a completely Gothic form, but almost without exception secular. the most important hallmark Tudor buildings can be considered the use of brick, which spread quite suddenly throughout England. A typical Tudor estate (for example, Knowle or St. James's Palace in London) is brick or stone, with a gate tower. The entrance to the courtyard is through a wide low arch (Tudor arch), octagonal towers were often built on the sides. Often there is a large family coat of arms above the entrance. many families had only recently acquired aristocratic status and wanted to emphasize it. The roof is often almost completely built up with decorative turrets and chimneys. Castles by that time were no longer needed, so fortifications - towers, high walls, etc. - built purely for beauty.

Sondergothic (from German Sonder - “special”) is a late Gothic style of architecture that was in vogue in Austria, Bavaria and Bohemia in the 14th-16th centuries. The style is characterized by massive majestic buildings, details of internal and external decor carefully carved from wood.

Features of early Gothic. Main distinguishing features.

• • Tall lancet windows without masking (France), with masking and without crypt (Germany)

• • The facades are 2 towers with round windows (roses). Rosas and the façade of Notre Dame in Paris become examples of numerous cathedrals

• • Masverk, a round Gothic window and wimpergs of the highest refinement

• • Important glass paintings

• • Wall division 4-zone

• • Round columns with 4 thin service columns

• • Rich ornamentation of capitals

• Exceptional lancet arches

Features of mature Gothic. Main distinguishing features.

• • Instead of walls, stained-glass windows with paintings are installed. After replacing the shed roofs of the side aisles with tent and hip roofs, it is possible to supply rear windows and triforia (Cologne). round top windows

• • Wall division 3-zone

• • Thin dividing walls

• • Aspiration to the sky, which requires double (Chartres 36 m, Beauvais 48 m) and triple flying buttresses

• • Composite columns (beam-shaped)

• • Arches are semicircular

• • Vault 4-part

• Openwork tower roofs

Features of late Gothic. Main distinguishing features.

• • Low upper window openings or reduction in the size of windows, as well as round windows along with lancet windows with a rich openwork ornament

• • Higher arcades

• • More decoratively saturated (Isabella style from 1475, plateresco style - a combination of oriental and Moorish influences)

• • Openwork ornament in the form of a fish bladder (Cathedral of Amiens 1366-1373)

• • The middle nave is higher than the side ones and there are fewer dividing elements between the naves. In Germany, there is no transverse nave at all.

• • The columns take on a more simplified profile. round poles are set far apart

• • There is no capital on the service columns or there are on separate columns

• • Large arches - keeled (already renaissance)

• • Star-shaped or mesh vault and pear-shaped vault with interlocking ribs

• • Triforium missing

• Domed roofs

Windows in gothic architecture

The partition walls of grass and choirs are filled with colored glass windows, and the gable walls of the main and side aisles are filled with rosettes. A particularly important role in architecture is played by the gothic openwork ornament (massverk).

Masswerk

The rose of a Gothic cathedral is understood as a pattern that fills a round window, and as a semblance of a heavenly body. In the decoration of the rose, a speculative warehouse clearly affected medieval thinking: all lines are brought to a clear order (unlike the Muslim ornament), ornamental motifs are born one from the other, small circles along the edges are subject to the movement of the main rods.

Walls in gothic architecture

Poetic fiction, which is so striking inside the cathedral, finds an explanation outside. Openwork walls are restrained from the outside by a complex engineering structure - buttresses. The opposition of strong skeleton to light filling became the cornerstone of Gothic architecture. It also affected the falling away of the stone planes of the walls, forced out by the openwork bindings of windows between the pillars, and in the ribbed vault, and in the triforium, and finally, in the supporting arches thrown from the bases of the vaults to the buttresses, the so-called flying buttresses, with their mass reduced to a minimum.

Doors (portals) in Gothic architecture

The lower tier of the facade is occupied by perspective portals. The doors are framed at the bottom with statues slightly larger than a man's height. They greet him at the entrance with a friendly look, sometimes with a smile. The portals are framed by high lancet arches with a round rose in the middle. The proportions are brought to an extreme degree of harmony and delicacy. Sculptural decoration of portals, vimpergs, consoles.

Conclusion

The development of Gothic art was brought to life by the rise of urban culture, the desire for free public life and mental activity. But many of these ideals, in the context of maintaining an unshakable feudal order throughout Europe, could not be implemented. In the 13th century, the struggle between the petty and big bourgeoisie began in the communes, royal power intervened more in the life of the cities. Naturally, in the fragile organism of the new society, the desire to canonize what had been achieved could easily awaken. It replaced living creativity with theological accountability.