WHAT IS GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE?

Gothic Architecture is a style of architecture developed between the

Romanesque and the Renaissance styles of architecture. The history of Gothic
architecture and the changing styles of buildings are characterized by the introduction of
stained-glass windows, gargoyles, flying buttresses, tall spires and pointed arches.
Fundamentally, gothic architecture transformed castles, churches, cathedrals and
pretty much the whole of Europe! This style of architecture developed because of
common architectural problems in Medieval times. Back in the 1100s-1200s, building
skills were extremely limited. Stone castles were rudimentary - dark, cold, and damp.
Gothic architecture tried to solve some of these unpleasant problems, and created light,
pleasant and airy buildings. Before the gothic, architecture was functional. Now,
architecture became beautiful.

FACTS ABOUT GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Gothic Architecture 1: About Gothic Architecture And Art

It is not all people who understand about gothic architecture and art. Mostly of
the Gothic architecture are the churches and also cathedrals. This type of architecture
has gained popularity within the France. It was in 12th cent. It spreads also on 15th cent
and somewhere into the 16th cent.

Gothic Architecture 2: Gothic period

It can be said that the main representation of Gothic period is the aspect of
predominance of the architecture. Any other arts were the main determiner of it. It can
be said as well that the style of Gothic was also the structural dominant of the mode of
aesthetic in Europe.

Gothic Architecture 3: First Appearance

The initial appearance of the Gothic architecture was in c 1140. It was in the llede-France. It was within the royal domain of the Capetian kings. Yet, you should pay
attention first that the style had gained the inception of the more experimentation and
also generations. It was especially in Normandy

Gothic Architecture 4: Components

You may realize that there are some components of the architecture. The most
recognizable one is the pointed arch. There is also ribbed vaulting. It was especially
employed within Romanesque construction.

Gothic Architecture 5: impressive clarity

People may become so much attracted to such Gothic architecture. Therefore,
you may realize that people may apply such type of design to their house. Therefore,
the more you gain review about it is the better. Skeletal web indeed is the major
articulation of impressive clarity.

Gothic Architecture 6: Lightness And Subdivision

You may recognize that the overall effect of the Gothic architecture may combine
the multiple forms of subdivisions and also the lightness.

Gothic Architecture 7: mystery

The Gothic architecture also becomes the symbol of mystery. Any people globally
indeed has recognized about this fact.

Gothic Architecture 8: Cathedrals Of Lincoln And Salisbury

There was the adoption of Gothic architecture. It was the variation such as the
cathedrals of Lincoln and also Salisbury. It has applied the mural concept of the Norman
architecture.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN CENTRAL EUROPE (GERMANY)

13th-16th Century

GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCES
The former collection of states which became the German Empire, was
inevitably in ' geographical touch with the architecture of neighbouring countries. The
chief influence on German Gothic architecture came from France and is conspicuous in
the Rhine provinces and Westphalia, notably in Cologne Cathedral and other churches,
castles, town halls and domestic buildings along the Rhine.
GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
The northern plains of Germany provide little building material but brick. which
gives a special character to the architecture. In the centre and south and along the
Rhine, excellent stone was found, while timber from the great forests in these regions
gives an individuality to domestic buildings, as in wooded districts of England.
CLIMATIC INFLUENCES
The climate, is without the fierce sun of the south, and therefore permitted large
traceried windows, as in England and France, but the snows of severe winters rendered
steep roofs a necessary and special characteristic.
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND REUGI.OUS INFLUENCES
Central European History in this period is complicated by the successive rise and
fall of imperial and royal dynasties, by the intrigues of princely and ducal houses of the
various states to secure kingly power, and by the secular ambition of prince-bishops
who combined the intolerance of ecclesiastical with the arrogance of secular tyrants.
Germany was not one, but many states, thus the style of architecture varies with
the locality, just as does the constitution of the various states and cities. Trade guilds
during this period acquired great importance and built elaborate halls, while freemasons
have been credited with much influence in the design and working out of the Gothic
style.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
The style came from France and was not evolved from German Romenesque,
and this method of its introduction may be due to the extent to which Romanesque
building had been developed in Germany, where a preference tor the ponderous
Romanesque style had resulted in the adaptation of vaulting to new needs without
resorting to the pointed arch and other Gothic features.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE

12th-16th Century

GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCES
France is divided into two parts by the River Loire with the Franks on the North
and the Romance races on the South, architecture was influenced not only by
geographical position, but also by racial differences.
GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
The excellent building stone in France continued as abundant as in the
Romanesque period, and that found near Caen aided in the development of the
northern Gothic style. In the mountainous districts of Auvergne the use of volcanic
stone gave a rich chromatic appearance to the buildings; while in the extreme south
good local stone helped to continue the classical tradition handed down through the
Romanesque period.
CLIMATIC INFLUENCES
The comparatively dull climate of the North permitted, and even invited, the
extension of large traceried windows to light the vast interiors.
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL and RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES
It was during the Philip that a number of French Cathedrals were begun. In 1337
the .'Hundred Years' war with England began, over claims arising from the marriage of
Isabella of France with Edward II of England, and in 1346 the battle of Crecy was won
by the English.
The period during which Gothic architecture in France had its growth was marked
by all the restlessness that characterizes the style, which is instinct with the intellectual
and spiritual aspirations of that age. The Feudal System, though it has obvious military
and government advantages, was the root from which sprang the tyranny of the lords
over the common people as well as the revolt of the same lords against the Kingly
power.
The Religious zeal of the 12th to 13th centuries, when Christianity was united
against the Moslems, was especially manifested in France in the third crusade under
Philip Augustus, and the 8th and 9th crusades under St. Louis and was marked by the
erection of many grand Cathedrals. The active zeal with which urban populations set
about building cathedrals produced almost miraculously rapid results, and with this
outburst of building activity transformed the face of France.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE in BRITISH ISLE

12th-16th Century

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
When the High Gothic Style was gaining acceptance in England during the reign
of Henry II ( 1154-89), the techniques of solid Norman work were progressively modified
over a number of years. This process is especially obvious, and the period label
"transitional" was coined. Style names of periods suggested by Edmund Sharpe who
modified the nomenclature a little, based on the evolution he observed in the character
of window tracery. Styles changed unevenly and gradually, as follows:
1. NORMAN- (1066-1154)
This period includes the raising of most of the
churches and castles.

major Romanesque

2. TRANSITIONAL- (1154-89)
This phase is most obvious in the work carried out in the reign of Henry XI
3. EARLY ENGLISH- (1189-1307)
This period is the English Equivalent of the High Gothic of Northern
France, and is occasionally known as the 'Lancet' style,
4. DECORATED- (1307-77)
There is an early' phase in which window tracery is usually 'Geometrical'
in form, followed by a period of flowing tracery patterns and surface decoration
5. PERPENDlCULAR- (1377-1485)
Edmund Sharpe's nomenclature uses the term 'Rectilinear', based on the
observed tendency for large windows to be divided by horizontal tracery
members or transomes.
6. TUDOR- (1495-1558)
This period is marked by an increasing application of Renaissance detail
to buildings, otherwise late perpendicular Gothic.
7. ELIZABETHAN- (1558-1603)
Whilst the new ideas of the Renaissance took strong hold in this period, a
number of traditional mediaeval characteristics still appear.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE in SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

12th-16th Century

INFLUENCES
The establishment of the Spanish Inquisition ( 1477) in castle and later in other
provinces as designed to bring about national unity by first securing religious unity. This
inquisitorial scheme resulted in the expulsion from Spain of both'Jews and
MosIems,who were important communities in commercial and industrial life, and Spain
was thus materially weakened by their departure.
During the whole of the Mediaeval period, until 1492, Spain was divided into
different kingdoms under the independent rule of christian kings and Moslem Caliphs
and Emirs. The Catholic Sovereigns Ferdinand ( 1479-1516) and Isabella {1474-1504)
arrogated to themselves supreme power, making use of church, nobles and cities as
instruments of their government, establishing police as instruments of their government,
establishing police against brigandage, annexing the power and money of the military
orders. and enforcing military service from the nobles. They even reduced the cortes of
castile to a money-granting machine and gradually crippled commerce and industry
through the control of officials and the imposition of excise duties, thus establishing an
inquisition in commerce as well as religion.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Despite the fall of the Moslem capital of Toledo in 1085, Moorish influence
remained a salient aspect of Spanish art and architecture until the final expulsion of the
Moors with the fall of Granada in 1492. The Gothic style was most highly developed in
Catalonia where, though mainly on French lines, the grand scale of the single-span
vaulted interiors gives it, a specifically Spanish character.
Moorish influence made itself felt in such Moslem features as the horseshoe arch
and pierced stone tracery, and notably in rich surface decoration of intricate geometrical
and flowing patterns, for which moslem art is remarkable, while the early Spanish
churches seem to have been the work of Moorish craftsmen.
Church exteriors are flat in appearance, owing to the chapels which are so
frequently inserted between the buttresses.
Unlike French Gothic, large wall surfaces and horizontal lines are conspicuous,
and generally there is excessive ornament, due to Moorish influence, without regard to
its constructive character.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE in NETHERLANDS

12th-16th Century

GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCES
The Netherlands consists of the basins and delta-lands of the Rhine, Meuse !
Maas) and Scheidt, the flat. low-lying coastal areas and the hills of the Ardenes. The
fertile land and the great mavigable rivers created and maintained a number of
Mediaeval states and prosperous cities. dependent culturally on either France or
Germany.
Today, the area is divided between the kingdom of Belgium and the Netherlands,
the latter popularly called Holland.
GEOLOGICAL
Belgium has marbles, limestone, sandstone and granite. In Flanders, where clay
is abundant, a characteristic and beautiful brick architecture developed; From the
forests of the Ardennes and Fagnes came timber not only for building, but.also for
wood-carving for which Belgium is famous: (used in church pahe1ings).
Holland being wholly without stone except Maastricht, and without forests too,
had to import tufa, limestone and sandstone from Germany and Belgium. This
deficiency early caused the Dutch to make bricks from the clay soil, and from them their
buildings obtained a characteristic simplicity, texture and soft colouring, which is
enhanced by the reflected light of the seldom-distant water.
CLIMATIC
There are great degrees of heat and cold. An often grey and rainy climate gave
to many and large windows in houses and to great traceried windows in churches and
town halls. Window-shutters against driving rain and belts of trees as wind screens are
common in Holland and Flanders, while in the North-East, windows are fewer and
smaller and buildings plainer, to withstand the winds which sweep across the sea and
the level land.
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS
Celt and Roman, Frisian, Saxon, and Frank made up the pattern of ruler and
ruled until, in the middle ages, the Netherlands comprised many feudal states; all owing
some sort of allegiance to France. Though not united politically, these formed a growing
cultural and economic unity by the 13th century, dependent on the common interests
and ambitions of the towns rather than on their rulers. The chiet'cultural.division was
represented by the linguistic boundary running from east to west a few miles from

Brussels. To the North, Dutch was spoken, while to the South the Waloons spoke
French.
In 1482, the Netherlands became a Hapsburg domain. Charles V became king of
Spain, was born at Ghent and prince of Netherlands. A movement of revolt against
Spain began and by the end of the century the outcome ~as partition, with
Protestantism Supreme in the Northern most seven provinces, forming the Dutch
Republic. Spain and Catholicism retained the south.
Mediaeval architecture followed closely on the social progress of these sturdy,
brave and industrious peoples, and the independent towns rivalled each other for power
and in the arts, much as they did in Italy. Guild houses and town halls of great
magnificence, large in conception and rich in detail, reflect the P.rosperity and civic pride
of such towns as Bruges, Antwerp, Louvain, Ghent, Ypres and Courtrai in the South and
Middleburg, Veere and Gounda in the North. The fame of these and many other cities is
a record of the industry, of unending struggle against the waters, of ventures on land
and sea, of commercial acumen and manufacturing enterprise which made the
Netherlands among the first in commerce and sea power.
The Spanish rule, later left its mark on Belgian architecture in the form of
exuberant and florid decoration. Though the Benedictine, Cistercian and
Premonstratensian orders, the early styles of Italy, France and Germany were
brought'to the Netherlands and moulded to the local idiom. The Brabantine style, of
mainly French orig'in, became the major national style; the architecture of Holland,
while dependeing largely on Brabant and flanders, developed other regional styles by
assimilation of West phalian and Rhineland characteristics.

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN CENTRAL EUROPE

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE in BRITISH ISLE

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE in SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE in NETHERLANDS

REFERENCES

http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-art/history-of-gothicarchitecture.htm

http://www.exploring-castles.com/characteristics_of_gothic_architecture.html

http://history-world.org/gothic_art_and_architecture.htm

Architectural Character and The History of Architecture by George Salvan

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

RESEARCH 01
H. ARCH 313
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

SUBMITTED BY:
NATHANNIEL B. ALFONSO

SUBMITTED TO :
ARCH. ARISTON G. SINGIAN, uap