Gothic architecture, particularly a form of masonry building characterized by spacious spaces, is a style that flourished in Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Originating in 12th-century France, it was widely used, especially for cathedrals and churches, until the 16th century. The prominent features of Gothic Architecture are the flying buttress, the ribbed vault, pointed arch, and the rose windows (or stained glass).
The flying buttress is a masonry structure typically consisting of an inclined bar carried on a half arch that extends (“flies”) from the upper part of a wall to a pier some distance away. It carries the thrust of a roof or vault. A pinnacle vertical ornament of pyramidal or conical shape often crowns the pier, adding weight and stability. The flying buttress evolved in the Gothic era from earlier simpler, hidden supports. The design increased the supporting power of the buttress and allowed for the creation of the high-ceiling churches, typical of Gothic Architecture.
A rib vault is an architectural feature used to cover an ample interior space in a building. Usually the nave of a church or cathedral, in which the surface of the vault is divided into webs by a framework of diagonal arched ribs. It is also called a “ribbed vault.” It was a key feature of Gothic architecture.
A pointed arch is an archway with curved sides that meet at a point, rather than a smooth semi-circular curve. The pointed arch made its way to Europe and became a definitive feature of the Gothic era architecture of the 12th to the 16th centuries.
Rose windows are the large circular stained-glass windows found in Gothic churches. They originated with the oculus, a small, round window in Ancient Roman architecture. During the Gothic period, the development of tracery (decorative supporting stonework) allowed such large windows to be created.
The flying buttress, ribbed vault, pointed arch, and the rose windows. Gothic architecture is truly amazing. If there were no Gothic Architecture, the world would be a duller place.
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