During the Renaissance, the term gothic was coined as a term of derision for what the cultural elite of the time thought of as barbaric. The term was applied to the architecture of northern Europe, which was considered barbaric compared to the architecture of Greece and Rome. Gothic cathedral architecture is known for its great height with the eye drawn heavenward by the pointed spires and arches. Gothic cathedrals built from the tenth century can be found in greatest number in northern Europe, France and England especially. But there are examples in other countries.
Gothic architecture developed over a period of centuries with many of the cathedrals exhibiting changes in gothic style as new additions were made or changes to original plans were made. There are also differences between French and English gothic styles.
Gothic architecture is noted for its use of the following architectural features:
Flying buttress, a semi-arch that is used to carry weight away from a load-bearing wall. Use of flying buttresses allowed builders to include stained glass windows. For more read about flying buttresses at Wikipedia. For more, read about vaults at Wikipedia.
Ogee shaped arches, the ogee shaped arch is frequently used. For more, read about ogee arches at Wikipedia.
Ribbed vaults, a vault is a structure that forms the ceiling of a structure. A ribbed vault used the pointed arch . For more, read about vaults at Wikipedia.
Stained Glass and Sculpture, beautiful stained glass and sculpture was used to teach spiritual lessons. Learn more at the New York Carver’s stained glass page.
Gargoyles, sculptural figures, which act as water spouts for the gutters to get rain off the cathedral roofs. Learn more on the New York Carver’s gargoyle page.
To learn more about gothic architecture and gothic cathedrals delve into the following resources.
Online Resources
New York Carver: Gothic Medieval Cathedrals
This site offers a number of wonderful resources that focus on the artisans who built the Gothic cathedrals of Europe and those who have continued the stone carving art into the present.
Within this site:
Medieval Inventions: The Wheelbarrow
Stone Carver’s Tour
Images of stone carvings from London, Florence, Pisa, Sienna, Venice, New York, Paris, Chartres, Reims, and Rouen.
The Virtual Gothic Cathedral
Lend a hand as we spotlight the stone, glass, and wood crafts - and more - which helped raise the great cathedrals of the Middle Ages.
Tips and Tricks to Gothic Geometry
Includes sample pages on the Trifoil, Rose Window, Ogee Arch, and Equilateral Arch.
History of Art and Architecture: Gothic Art
Includes links to many cathedrals with text discussing the architecturally significant portions of each cathedral and images of the cathedrals and elevation drawings.
English Gothic Cathedrals
Information about gothic cathedrals in general and images and information about specific cathedrals in England.
A Beginner’s Illustrated Guide to Gothic Architecture
Labeled drawing of gothic architectural elements with a glossary.
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Gothic Art
An article on Gothic architecture with links to other Met information and example images.
Gothic: Engineered For Heaven
Innovative builders created the great cathedrals of Europe.
Cathedral Calls
- Add color to Wells Cathedral. Brush over the cathedral and watch the original medieval colors magically appear.
- Fly through the amazing 3-d Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral.
Including the colorful interior.
- Brush up with the Cathedral Primer. A brief history of
cathedrals in Britain and a handy floor plan.
- Read the job description of a medieval stonemason.
- Explore a selection of Britain's online cathedrals.
Wikis:
Cathedral
Cathedral Architecture
Gothic Architecture
Cathedral Diagram
Suggested Reading
Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction
by David Macaulay
David Macaulay wrote and illustrated this children’s book that explains how a medieval cathedral was built from start to finish. You’ll come away with an appreciation for the methods used to create these soaring structures.
Cathedrals
by Robin S. Oggins
This photographic tour of cathedrals built from the 4th century to today describes the changes in cathedral construction over time as described by medievalist Robin S. Oggins.
The Gothic Enterprise: A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral
by Robert A. Scott
For those who want to get an in-depth look at the “why” not just the how of cathedral building, this is your book. “Robert A. Scott explores why medieval people built Gothic cathedrals, how they built them, what conception of the divine lay behind their creation, and how religious and secular leaders used cathedrals for social and political purposes.”
More Books, Videos and Other Resources
EHO Architecture Resources
EHO Medieval History Resources
Gothic or Gothic Style Cathedrals Around the World
France
Amiens, Notre-Dame Cathedral
http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/Mcahweb/index-frame.html
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/amiens.htm
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/amienschoir.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/amimain.html
Auxerre, Cathedral of St. Etienne
http://www.wfu.edu/~titus/auxcath.htm
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/auxerrecath.htm
Beauvais, Cathedral of Saint-Pierre
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/beauvais.html
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/beauvaiscath.htm
Bourges, St Etienne's Cathedral
http://www.bourges.fr/anglais/heritage/html/cathedr.htm
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/bourges.htm
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/bourges.html
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/boumain.html
Bayeux, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/bayeuxcath.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/baymain.html
Chalons-Sur-Marne, St. Etienne Cathedral
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/chalonsvaux.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/chaletie.html
Chartres, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.chartres-csm.org/us_fixe/index.html
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/chartrescath.htm
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/chartresroyal.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/chartres/charmain.html
Clermont-Ferrand, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/clemain.html
Laon, Cathedral of Notre Dame
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/laoncath.htm
Meaux, Cathedral of Saint-Étienne
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/meamain.html
Noyon, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.johnjames.com.au/gpa-noyon-1/gpa-noyonc1-index.shtml
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/noyoncath.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/noymain.html
Paris, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.newyorkcarver.com/photogal6.htm
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/paris.html
http://www.elore.com/Gothic/History/Overview/paris.htm
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/pariscath.htm
Poitiers, Cathedral of Saint Pierre
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/poitiers/pcspmain.html
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/poitierscath.htm
Reims, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/reims.html
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/reimscath.htm
Rouen Cathedral
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/rouencath.htm
Rouen Cathedral paintings by Claude Monet
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/rouen/
Sées, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/seescath.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/seesmain.html
Senlis, Cathedral of Notre-Dame
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/senlmain.html
Sens, Cathedral of Saint-Étienne
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/sens.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/sensmain.html
Soissons, Cathedral
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/soissons.htm
Art & Architecture Soissons Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral
http://www.oeuvre-notre-dame.org/index2gb.htm
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/strasbourg.html
Troyes, Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
http://www.beloit.edu/~arthist/historyofart/gothic/troyescath.htm
http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menufrance/troycath.html
Spain
Architecture in Spain
http://www.travelnet.co.il/espagne/menu/TheArtinSpain2.htm
Cathedral of Burgos
http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/santiago/burgos.html
Cathedral of Toledo
http://www.architoledo.org/cathedral/interior.htm
Cathedral of Leon
http://www.ltcconline.net/barclay/courses/cast_leon/xleon.htm
Cathedral of Sevilla
http://www.arquired.es/users/giralda/catsev.htm (In Spanish)
Cathedral of Barcelona
http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/spain/barcelona/cathedral/cathedral.html
Germany
Cologne Cathedral
http://www.anicursor.com/colpicb.html
http://www.willkommeninkoeln.de/06kunst/kunst04e.htm
Ulm Cathedral
3-D Model of Ulm Cathedral (scroll down)
United Kingdom
Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/oxford_cathedral.htm
King's Handbook to the Cathedrals of England
Christ Church Cathedral Canterbury
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/canterbury.html
http://www.digiserve.com/peter/cc.htm
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/canterbury_cathedral.htm
http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Canterbury/Cathedral/canter-cath-main.html
Coventry Cathedral
http://www.coventrycathedral.org/welcome.htm
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Coventry/Cathedral/maincoventrycath.html
Durham Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/durham_cathedral.htm
http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dla0www/c_tour/tour.html
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Durham/Cathedral/maindurhamcath.html
Ely Cathedral
King's Handbook to the Cathedrals of England
http://cathedral.ely.anglican.org/
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Ely/mainely.html
Exeter, Cathedral Church of Saint Pete
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/exeter.htm
http://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Exeter/MAINExeter.html
Gloucester Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/gloucester_cathedral.htm
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Gloucester/Cathedral/mainGloucester.html
Hereford Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/hereford_cathedral.htm
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Hereford/Cathedral/mainhereford.html
Lichfield Cathedral
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Litchfield/mainlitchfieldcath.html
Lincoln Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/lincoln_cathedral.htm
King's Handbook to the Cathedrals of England
http://www.lincolncathedral.com/
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Lincoln/Cathedral/Mainlincolncathedral.html
Norwich Cathedral
http://www.cathedral.org.uk/pages/html/index.html
King's Handbook to the Cathedrals of England
Peterborough Cathedral
King's Handbook to the Cathedrals of England
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Peterborough/Cathedral/mainPeterborough.html
Ripon Cathedral
http://www.riponcathedral.org.uk/
St. Alban’s Cathedral
http://www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk/index1.htm
St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/
Salisbury Cathedral
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/salisbury.html
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/salisbury_cathedral.htm
http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/salisbury/docs/cathedral.html
http://www.salisburycathedral.co.uk/index.php
Wells Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/wells_cathedral.htm
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Wells/main-Wells.html
Westminster Abbey
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
Winchester Cathedral
http://astoft.co.uk/wincathext.htm
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/winchester_cathedral.htm
Images of Medieval Art and Architecture
Worcester Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/worchester_cathedral.htm
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/Worcester/Cathedral/mainworchester.html
York Minster Cathedral
http://www.racine.ra.it/ungaretti/gothic/york_minster.htm
http://www.yorkminster.org/
http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/York/main-york.html
Italy
Piza, Santa Maria Cathedral
http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/pisa.html
Cathedral of Florence
http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/buq.htm
http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/bus.htm
Milan Cathedral
http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/milancath/duomo.html
United States
While not built in medieval times, these churches were designed with Gothic architecture in mind.
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine – New York City
http://www.stjohndivine.org/history_tour.html
Washington National Cathedral
http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/
This cathedral even has a Darth Vader gargoyle. Many resources here for those interested in visiting a Gothic style cathedral.
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