There were two main styles of architecture in the middle ages. Gothic period in architecture followed the Romanesque period. However, they did not follow the same elements. The primary difference between buildings Gothic and Romanesque style is ideological, besides their architectural styles are different. Gothic style architecture included big churches called cathedrals. Cathedrals had tall skyscraper-like towers. Romanesque architecture had big internal spaces. These buildings had barrel vaults, columns, windows, and doors with rounded arches. The buildings were solid and heavy with small windows. The construction of the cathedrals was more than hundreds of years (Macdonald 14).
The overall shape of appearance was planned out before any construction was started. The contractors were usually peasants of the low class. Cathedrals were built on old church sites throughout Europe and the world to spread the religion of Christianity. There were many architectural styles for the churches. Carpenters used long lasting materials such as stone and strong wood. Some of the best stone came from France. Cranes and pulleys powered by men and animals were used to haul these stones, especially in the dangerous job of quarrying.
The appearance of the cathedrals was magnificent. As one of the largest buildings of its period, they represented the heavens in which people believed was peaceful and serene. Walls and pillars were massive structures enclosing hundreds of yards. Stone arches and gargoyles were put in various places for decoration. The elevating towers on top of Gothic cathedrals were called fingers pointing to heaven. As the centuries came around the cathedrals changed in the building style although some were still built the same way. The 13th and 14th centuries led the way for the Gothic style cathedrals to take place in Europe.
The Term Paper on Gothic Architecture
... was continuously accomplished with the building, and rebuilding, of every Gothic cathedral. Truly, Gothic architecture not only influenced the people ... Brief History and Elements of Gothic Style Gothic architecture made its debut in the cathedrals of France during the 12th ... or stone barrel vaults, which do not permit large openings as can be found in Gothic architecture, the Gothic cathedrals are ...
The Gothic cathedral, with its spires rising majestically over the towns of northern Europe, is a physical counterpart to the spiritual urge for rising above the earthly. The Gothic style came into being in France. This style has three main characteristics that make it unique and known as Gothic. First, it is known for its pointed arches that rise above the churches. This not only represents a symbol of Gothic spirituality, but a practicality in engineering. These arches redistributed the thrust of downward force in more equal controllable directions.
Second, it is known for the massive ribbed vaults that are seen along the ceilings of these churches. These ribbed vaults enabled the buildings to achieve new heights. Third, it is known for the flying buttresses that were used to let the outward thrust of the vaults go gracefully to the ground through a series of arches. These were essential to allow the large distinct Gothic windows to be placed in the walls without losing strength. The rounded arch of the Romanesque was quite inelastic because the height of the arch could not be more than half of its width. This limitation hampered the Gothic builders, who sought in their buildings to reach great heights. In contrast with the massive columns and thick walls of the Romanesque, the architecture of Gothic churches with pointed arches, pinnacles, slender piers, and decorative ornamentation introduced light into the already expanding sense of spaciousness.
Gothic cathedrals give the impression of energy forcing its way upward. The sense of vertical space is even more impressive in the interior of these cathedrals. The eye of the observer is drawn upward by piers, which become more slender and light as they progress higher and higher. Unfortunately, the architects who developed this style are largely unknown. Despite their anonymity, they were among the most innovative practitioners of architecture of all time. The English Gothic evolved from its French counterpart and falls into three major style periods.
The Term Paper on Gothic Cathedrals Pointed Arch
... space. Gothic Cathedrals contained architectural elements that collectively defined the style including vaults, pointed arches, and flying buttresses. The Romanesque style of cathedrals that proceeded the Gothic, relied ... room for a clerestory oculus, a round window opening. Abbot Suger's development of the Gothic cathedral proved important to the medieval world. As ...
They were Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular. Each Gothic cathedral or chapel had its own personality. That of Wells Cathedral is in part determined by its scissor arches, which were added to the interior out of engineering necessity about one hundred years after the completion of the main body of the cathedral. Some of the most remarkable artistic efforts in the Gothic era are its stainedglass windows. Stained glass was a craft that developed from the stylized mosaics of the Byzantine and Romanesque. In works of stained glass, the communal spirit of the Gothic was expressed by including the trademarks of the donors.
A window from Chartres Cathedral depicting the Death of the Virgin shows the technique of this remarkable craft. The east windows of Kings College Chapel serve the same instructive purpose. The architecture and stained glass of the Gothic were a complete expression of the peoples faith. The Romanesque cathedrals are defined by their massive structure. They are domed with heavily vaulted structures like the Basilica form. Once inside, you can see that the aisles have narrow sides and are crossed by transepts. The light inside the majestic cathedral comes from the small windows lining the sides. Of the Gothic type cathedrals, the Notre Dame de Paris is considered a masterpiece of earlier gothic architecture. However, even thought the cathedral is considered gothic, it has some characteristics of earlier Romanesque style.
The cathedrals south side overlooks the Seine River and displays one of the famous rose windows. Its west side features rose window, the portals, and many sculptures. Architecture has progressed drastically throughout time, but even today Gothic and Romanesque buildings that exist are masterpieces. They bring the atmosphere of Middle Ages throughout European tows and cities. People should do everything to protect these beautiful buildings for future generations.
Bibliography:
Macaulay, David. Cathedral. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973. Macdonald, Fiona.
The Term Paper on Difference in Gothic and Romanesque architecture
... and windows. It is the same once you have entered the building, pointed archways running down both sides of church. Compared to Gothic architecture, Romanesque architecture ... Sernin in Toulouse, France and Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres, France will represent Romanesque and Gothic respectably. The church of St Sernin is ...
A Medieval Cathedral. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1991..
