Gothic Architecture

By Cray Shellenbarger


In doing research for my thesis I have been forced to look into the history of spiritual architecture. Gothic architecture is one of the most captivating styles in history. Gothic architecture is one of the glories of our civilization’s architecture. The cathedrals of in and around the twelfth century were built to help man reach toward the heavens. It is also argued that these vastly ornate structures were built simply as town gathering places. Either way, they are still marveled at to this day. It is interesting in the fact that these buildings beauty could be accredited equally to the architect and the stone masons of the time. For without their expertise and craftsmanship none of the buildings would have the delicate beauty that causes them to stand out in history. In general, the style can be identified by the flying buttress and stained glass. Also, the pointed arches and tall, slender spires are a dead giveaway that the building is gothic.

Two of the most prominent features in this style are the tracery and the flying buttress. The traceries were a beautiful addition to these buildings but the true innovation lay in the flying buttress. This new structural element allowed the walls to be of lighter construction. This allowed for much finistration allowing light in and the implementation of the traceries mentioned above. This structural element carries the load of the building allowing the wall to be penetrated or decorated as the designer's fit. This is what allowed these buildings to reach the heights and obtain such beauty.


There are several types of Gothic Architecture. Some of which include French, English and that of Italy and Germany. First is French Gothic. As the birth place of the Gothic style, the French pushed the style farther than most. According to Architecture: A Spotter’s Guide, this style introduced the rose window. The rose window is a delicate oculus allowing light into the building in a new way. In the 13th century, English Gothic was birthed. The less ornate but equally as beautiful style carried on the majority of the Gothic Ideals. The architects of the time were slower to adopt the flowering details. Stained glass windows became an even stronger aspect of this style. In Italy and Germany, during the 12th century, another gothic style began to develop. The influence of the French and English Gothic are obvious in these buildings but there is also a strong Roman influence. With the integration of Romanesque columns and the introduction of heavier horizontal lines, it began to break away from the more traditional Gothic ideology. This new development was a little more restrained than its English and French cousins.


The beauty of Gothic Architecture lies in the detail and the scale of the projects. One can’t help but be in awe of the vast ornate naives that were built in the 12th and following centuries. Even by today’s standards, the completion of these projects is impressive.