Gothic Architecture: Characteristics and Structural Elements

Gothic Architecture: General Characteristics

• Geographic Area and Timeline

  • Western Christian Europe
  • Late Middle Ages (second half of 12th century to early 16th century)
  • Originates in France, with multiple influences:
    1. Normandy
    2. Cistercian Art
    3. Saint-Denis, near Paris (1144), featuring simple and double church aisles

• Stages of Development

  (Uneven development across different countries)

  1. Early Gothic
  2. High or Classic Gothic
  3. Late Gothic (also known as Blooming or Flamboyant style, characterized by a more complex, decorative, ornate, and Baroque-influenced style with curved shapes resembling flames, hence its name)

• Changes in Construction

  • Building Types

    • Religious structures (monasteries, churches, cathedrals)
    • Civil works (municipal buildings, market halls, châteaux)

  • New Formal Features

    • Emphasis on verticality and light (light is strengthened as a symbol of God)

Key Elements of Gothic Architecture

Developments with respect to the Romanesque are highlighted in bold.

• Ground Plan

  Longitudinally oriented (dominant basilical plans virtually disappear)

  • Odd-numbered naves (central nave taller and wider)
  • Latin cross plan: transept, with slightly projecting transept and positioned closer to the center
  • Chancel with choir
  • Curved or polygonal apses (often paired centrally)
  • Ambulatory with or without radiating chapels (most common)
  • Annexed cloister surrounded by rooms
  • Narthex or atrium

• Elevation

  (With a strong vertical trend, symbolizing an approach to God)

  • Supported Elements (Arches and Vaults)

    • Pointed or Ogival Arch (predominant)
    • Segmental, Elliptical, Mixtilinear, Ogee Arches (later stages)
    • Vaults
      • Ogival or pointed, with ribs that are added progressively
      • Ribs sagging in later periods
    • Dome or Ciborium (tower lantern, dome, or vault, sometimes very elongated: spire)
    • Keystones, decorative, at the center of the vault
    • Spires (tops of domes or towers), called needles when very elongated

  • Load-Bearing Elements

    • The weight of each vault rests on four pillars
    • Walls are removed or become lighter and replaced by large windows
    • External Buttresses with Pinnacles (reinforcing the decorative function of the buttresses)
    • Flying Buttresses (stone arms connecting the main structure to the naves and channeling water from the roofs)
    • Pillars have attached shafts (ribs)
    • Sometimes paired columns (with historiated capitals)
    • Pendentives and squinches to support domes and cupolas