Gothic architecture is more than just amazing. It is timeless and often breathtaking. Needless to say, Gothic architecture was one of the most extreme expressions of humanity. The thing is, you never know when or where you will come across this unique style of architecture. From American churches to grandiose cathedrals and even some civic buildings, Gothic architecture is still loved by people today, but nothing compares to the classic Gothic architecture that we'll be illustrating in this article.

There are several different types, but they are all beautiful. From French to English to Italian style, Gothic architecture is like no other. France was the birthplace of Gothic architecture, and if you look at the history of Gothic architecture, it's almost spiritual. That's why you often see 12th century cathedrals, and even modern churches built in the beautiful style of Gothic architecture. It is one of the most captivating architectural styles known today. The beauty lies in the extreme complexity of the designs and in every small detail of the finish. These works of art have stood the test of time.

These are just a few of the many wonderful designs of Gothic architecture that are available for public viewing. These structures are again simply indescribable. If you ever get a chance to see one of these marvelous works of art, then you can understand the true grandeur, the nostalgic history or the realism of the ghostly images that seem to wander through the indescribably beautiful halls of these stunning buildings. Nothing compares to what you will feel when standing in front of one of these wonderful buildings.

10. St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

St. Stephen's Cathedral, which was built in 1147, stands on the ruins of two churches that used to be on this site. This is a perfect example of all that Gothic architecture has to offer. In fact, it is considered the metropolis of the great Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, and also serves as the seat of the archbishop. It is the most important religious building in Austria.

St. Stephen's Cathedral has endured the test of time and witnessed many historical events. It is covered with a beautifully painted roof, which currently stands as one of the city's most unique and recognizable religious symbols. The exquisite fortress is a distinctive feature of the Vienna skyline.

There's something about the structure of the building that many of us don't know about - the north tower was actually meant to be a mirror image of the south tower. The building was originally planned to be much more ambitious, but given the fact that the Gothic era had passed, construction stopped in 1511 and a hat was added to the north tower in the style of Renaissance architecture. Now the inhabitants of Vienna call it "the top of the water tower."

Locals also refer to the entrance to the building as "Riesentor" or "giant's door". The bells that were once housed in the Heidentürme (south tower) were lost forever during World War II. However, there is a belfry on the north tower which is still functioning. The oldest parts of St Stephen's are its Roman towers and the giant's door.

9. Mir Castle


Mir Castle is a breathtaking example of 16th century Gothic architecture located in the Grodno region. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Belarus. The famous Prince Ilyinich built it in the early 1500s. However, the construction of this 3-storey castle began as the construction of a gothic work of art. It was later finished by its second owner, Mikołaj Radzivilla, in the Renaissance style. The castle was once surrounded by a moat, and beautiful Italian gardens are laid out against its northern wall.

Mir Castle suffered significant damage during the Napoleonic Wars. Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky bought it, and began restoring it before handing it over to his son for complete completion. Mirsky's son hired a well-known architect named Teodor Bursze to fulfill his father's wishes, and his family owned Mirsky Castle until 1939.

The castle once served as a ghetto for Jews after they were liquidated by Nazi forces. Subsequently, it became a housing stock, but today the Mir Castle is a National Heritage Site. This is a huge part of the local and national culture, and a phenomenal piece of Gothic architecture that both locals and tourists can admire.

8. Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp (Antwerp Cathedral)

Antwerp Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Antwerp, is a Roman Catholic building in Antwerp, Belgium. The construction of this outstanding masterpiece of Gothic architecture began in 1352 and continued until 1521. Construction was stopped in 1521 and today remains unfinished.

The cathedral stands where, from the ninth to the twelfth century, there was a small chapel of Our Lady. Now it is the largest and most spectacular gothic architectural style church in the Netherlands.

Looking at this royal building, it is hard to imagine that in 1533 a fire destroyed it and this, in fact, was the reason that it was not finished. However, due to its amazing beauty, it became an archbishop's cathedral in 1559. From the early 1800s to the mid-1900s, it was empty again and was even damaged during several local wars.

The amazing building has endured the test of time, war, fire, and its story found a happy ending when it was completely restored in the 19th century thanks to restoration. In 1993 the restoration that had begun in 1965 was finally completed and this impressive masterpiece of Gothic architecture and work of art was reopened to the public.

7. Cologne Cathedral

What a majestic masterpiece of Gothic architecture! Its construction lasted from 1248 to 1473, then it stopped and resumed only in the 19th century. Like many of its statute buildings, Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church and is located in Cologne, Germany. It serves as the residence of the archbishop, beloved by the people, as well as the archdiocese. This monument is a beacon and a symbol of both German Catholicism and outstanding and memorable Gothic architecture. Cologne Cathedral is also on the World Heritage List and is Germany's most visited tourist attraction.

The Gothic architecture presented in this building is simply amazing. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe with the second tallest sphere. This building also has the largest façade of any church in the world today. The width-to-height ratio of the kliros compared to other medieval churches puts it in first place in this category as well.

There are so many beautiful things to see in this indescribably beautiful building that in order to truly appreciate them, you have to see them with your own eyes.

Its design was based on that of the Amiens Cathedral. It repeats the design with a Latin cross and high Gothic vaults. In the cathedral you can see beautiful stained glass windows, a high altar, original fixtures and much more. It truly can be called a modern treasure.

6. Burgos Cathedral (Cathedral of Burgos)


This example of Gothic architecture of the 13th century again appears before us in all its glory. Burgos Cathedral is an immaculately built and finely detailed cathedral located in Spain and occupied by Catholics. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This is a huge architectural masterpiece, the construction of which was started in 1221 and continued until 1567. The cathedral was built in the French Gothic style. Later in the 15th and 16th century, elements of the Renaissance architectural style were also introduced into its structure. It was included in the list of cathedrals considered to be World Heritage Sites of Cathedrals and Gothic Architecture at the end of 1984, thus becoming the only Spanish cathedral to have this status.

There are many things to admire in this historically rich and beautiful place. From the statues of the 12 Apostles to the Condestable Chapel and the entire work of art, there are many more than we can describe in this article. The cathedral is Gothic to the core and is filled with angels, knights and heraldry among other stunning beauties.

5. St Vitus Cathedral


This magnificent example of Gothic architecture is located in Prague. St. Vitus Cathedral is much more beautiful than words can describe. The cathedral was built in strictly Gothic style. He's just amazing. If you ever get a chance to look at it - be sure to do it. This opportunity is definitely given only once in a lifetime!

The cathedral is not only a wonderful example of Gothic architecture, the church itself is the most revered and important in the country. It is also the largest cathedral. It is located next to the Prague Castle and the tombs of the Holy Roman Emperors, in addition, the remains of Czech kings are buried there. The whole complex, of course, is in the possession of the state.

4. Westminster Abbey


Westminster Abbey is also known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster. For the most part, the abbey is built in the Gothic style and is one of the most notable religious buildings in London.

According to legend, in the late 1000s, on the site where Westminster Abbey is now located, there was a church called Thorn Ey (Thorn Ey). The construction of Westminster Abbey, according to legend, was begun at the request of Henry III in 1245 to prepare the place of his burial. More than 15 royal weddings have been held at the abbey.

This amazing work of Gothic architecture has witnessed many historical events, wars, it has suffered its share of damage, and survived many days of glory. Now it is a constant reminder of the events of bygone days.

3. Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres. This is a Roman, medieval Catholic cathedral, which is located in France. Most of it was built between 1194 and 1250 and it has been remarkably well preserved. In the 13th century, minor changes were made to the design of this outstanding work of Gothic architecture, but in general it remained almost the same as it was originally. The Holy Shroud of the Virgin Mary is kept in Chartres Cathedral. It is believed that the shroud was on Mary at the time of the birth of Jesus. This building and the relic it houses are popular tourist attractions that attract many Christians.

2. Rheinstein Castle (Burg Rheinstein)


Rheinstein Castle is a majestic castle perched on a hillside in Germany. It is simply an unforgettable sight, and the style of Gothic architecture used in its construction cannot be compared with other buildings of the same time period.

It was built between 1316 and 1317, but by 1344 it began to fall into disrepair. However, in 1794 it was bought and restored by Prince Fredrick of Persia, who lived there until 1863.

1. Oudenaarde Town Hall


Finally we come to the description of the Town Hall of Oudenarde. This is a delightfully beautiful town hall in Oudenaarde, Belgium. The architect behind this masterpiece is Hendrik van Pede and it was built between 1526 and 1537. This building is a must see for all those people who love history and fine art or old buildings.

Gothic - art style, dominant in European architecture in the XIII - XV centuries. The word comes from Italian. gotico is unusual, barbaric (Goten barbarians; this style has nothing to do with the Goths) and was first used as a swear word. During the Renaissance, the art of the Middle Ages was considered "barbaric". For the first time the concept in modern sense applied by Giorgio Vasari in order to separate the Renaissance from the Middle Ages. Gothic art was cult in purpose and religious in subject matter. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris ()

Gothic art originated in France in the 40s. 12th century in the Île de France region. The creator of the Gothic style is the abbot of the monastery of Saint-Denis, Abbot Suger. During the reconstruction of the main temple of the abbey was developed new type architecture. Saint-Denis Cathedral, 1137 - 1140 The Abbey of Saint-Denis is a Benedictine abbey, the main monastery of medieval France. From the 13th century - tomb fr. Kings. An early example of Gothic.

Rib vault, stained-glass windows and apse. The building is 36 meters long, 17 meters wide and 42.5 meters high. Saint Chapelle, Paris

Stained glass window of Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres. ()

Gate of Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims. () "Royal Gate" of Notre Dame Cathedral in Chartres. (1145 - 1155)

Gothic architecture of the 15th century. in France it was called "Flaming Gothic". It has an abundance of decorations, even more vertically elongated forms and additional triangular ledges above the lancet arches, reminiscent of flames. Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims, 1211 - 1420.

Gothic structures can be found in most European countries. Each country has its own character traits. Westminster Abbey, King's College Chapel, Cambridge

Gothic architecture.

Gothic- this is a period in the development of medieval art, covering almost all areas material culture and developing on the territory of Western, Central and partly Eastern Europe from the 12th to the 15th century. Gothic came to replace the Romanesque style, gradually replacing it. Although the term "Gothic style" is most often applied to architectural structures, Gothic also embraced sculpture, painting, book miniature, costume, ornament, etc.

Gothic evolution.

Gothic originated in the 12th century in northern France, in the 13th century it spread to the territory of modern Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, and England. Gothic penetrated into Italy later, with great difficulty and a strong transformation, which led to the emergence of "Italian Gothic". At the end of the XIV century, the so-called "international Gothic" swept Europe. Gothic penetrated into the countries of Eastern Europe later and stayed there a little longer - until the 16th century. For buildings and works of art that contained characteristic Gothic elements, but created during the eclectic period (mixing different styles of different cultures), in the middle of the 19th century, and later, the term "neo-Gothic" is used. In the 1980s, the term "gothic" began to be used to refer to a subculture ("gothic subculture"), including a musical direction ("gothic music"). The word comes from the Italian gotico - unusual, barbaric. At first, this word was used as a swear word. It should be noted that many believe that the name of the style comes from Goten - barbarians. But do not be confused, this style has nothing to do with the historical Goths. For the first time, the concept in the modern sense was applied by Giorgio Vasari in order to separate the Renaissance from the Middle Ages. Gothic completed the development of European medieval art, having arisen on the basis of the achievements of Romanesque culture. Gothic art was cult in purpose and religious in subject matter. It appealed to the highest divine powers, eternity, the Christian worldview. Gothic in its development is divided into 3 periods:

1) Early Gothic;

2) The heyday;

3) Late Gothic.

Gothic style.

Basically, it manifested itself in the architecture of temples, cathedrals, churches, monasteries. It developed on the basis of Romanesque, more precisely, Burgundian architecture. In contrast to the Romanesque style, with its round arches, massive walls and small windows, the Gothic style is characterized by pointed arches, narrow and high towers and columns, a richly decorated facade with carved details (vimpergas, tympanums, archivolts) and multicolored stained-glass lancet windows. . All elements of this style emphasize the vertical. As in all Gothic, there are three stages of development in Gothic architecture:

1) Early;

2) Mature (high gothic);

3) Late (flaming gothic).

With the advent of the Renaissance north and west of the Alps at the beginning of the 16th century, the Gothic style lost its significance.

Almost all the architecture of Gothic cathedrals is due to one major invention of the time - a new frame structure, which makes these cathedrals easily recognizable.

System of flying buttresses and buttresses.

The frame system of Gothic architecture is a set of constructive building techniques that appeared in Gothic, which made it possible to change the loads in the building and significantly lighten its walls and ceilings. Thanks to this invention, the architects of the Middle Ages were able to significantly increase the area and height of the structures being built. The main structural elements are buttresses, flying buttresses and ribs. The main and most striking feature of Gothic cathedrals is their openwork structure, which is a sharp contrast to the massive structures of the previous Romanesque architecture.

The main and most striking feature of Gothic cathedrals is their openwork structure, which is a sharp contrast to the massive structures of the previous Romanesque architecture.

Gothic vaults.

The most important element, the invention of which gave impetus to other achievements of Gothic engineering, was the rib vault. It also became the main structural unit in the construction of cathedrals. The main feature of the Gothic vault is the clearly defined profiled diagonal ribs that make up the main working frame that takes the main loads.

Load distribution.

The technical breakthrough of the Gothic architects was their discovery of a new way of distributing the load. It must be said that any free-standing building experiences two types of loads: from its own weight (including ceilings) and weather (wind, rain, snow, etc.). Then it (the building) transmits them down the walls - to the foundation, then neutralizing them in the ground. That is why stone buildings are built more solidly than wooden ones, since stone, being heavier than wood, is at greater risk of collapse in the event of an error in calculations. In Romanesque architecture, partly the heir to ancient Roman architecture, the entire walls were the load-bearing parts of the building. If the architect wanted to increase the size of the vault, then its weight also increased, and the wall had to be thickened so that it could withstand the weight of such a vault. But in Gothic architecture this method was abandoned. Crucial to the development of the Gothic was the idea that the weight and pressure of masonry could be concentrated at certain points, and if supported in these places, other elements of the building no longer needed to be load-bearing. This is how the Gothic frame arose - although the prerequisites for it appeared a little earlier: "Historically, this constructive technique arose from the improvement of the Romanesque cross vault. Already the Romanesque architects in some cases laid out the seams between the stripping of the cross vaults, protruding outward stones. However, such seams then had a purely decorative value ; the vault still remained heavy and massive". The innovation of the technical solution was as follows: the vault was no longer supported on the solid walls of the building, the massive cylindrical vault was replaced with a lighter openwork one, the pressure of this vault is transmitted by ribs and arches to the pillars (columns). The resulting lateral thrust is perceived by flying buttresses and buttresses. "The rib vault was much lighter than the Roman one: both the vertical pressure and the lateral thrust were reduced. The rib vault rested with its heels on the pillars-abutments, and not on the walls; its thrust was clearly identified and strictly localized, and it was clear to the builder where and how the thrust besides, the rib vault had a certain flexibility. Ground shrinkage, catastrophic for Romanesque vaults, was relatively safe for it. Finally, the rib vault also had the advantage of allowing irregular spaces to be covered." Thus, the design is greatly facilitated due to the redistribution of loads. The previously load-bearing, thick wall turned into a simple "light" shell, whose thickness no longer affected the building's load-bearing capacity. From a thick-walled building, the cathedral turned into a thin-walled one, but "supported" along the entire perimeter by reliable and elegant "props". In addition, Gothic abandoned the semicircular, conventional arch, replacing it wherever possible with a lancet. The use of a vaulted arch in the vaults made it possible to reduce their lateral thrust, directing a significant part of the pressure directly onto the support - moreover, the higher and more pointed the arch, the less it creates a lateral thrust on the walls and supports. The massive arch was replaced by a ribbed arch, these ribs - ribs diagonally crossed and perceived the load. The space between them was filled with a simple demoulding - a light laying of brick or stone.

flying butt- this is an external stone persistent arch, which transfers the thrust of the vaults of the main nave to the supporting pillars, spaced from the main body of the building - buttresses. The flying buttress ends with an inclined plane in the direction of the roof slope. In the early period of the development of the Gothic, there are flying buttresses hidden under the roofs, but they prevented the illumination of the cathedrals, so they were soon pushed out and became open to the outside. Flying buttresses are two-span, two-tier, and combining both of these options.

Buttress- in Gothic, a vertical structure, a powerful pillar that contributes to the stability of the wall by counteracting the expansion of the vaults with its mass. In medieval architecture, they guessed not to lean it against the wall of the building, but to take it outside, at a distance of several meters, connecting it with the building with arches - flying buttresses.

That was enough for effective transfer load from the wall to the supporting columns. The outer surface of the buttress could be vertical, stepped or continuously inclined.

pinnacle- a pointed turret, which was used to load the top of the buttress at the junction of the flying buttress. This was done to prevent shear forces.

Post-abutment- could be a simple section or represent a "bundle of columns".

Rib- the edge of the vault arch, protruding from the masonry and profiled. The system of ribs forms a frame that supports the lightweight masonry of the vault. The nerves are divided into:

1)cheek arches- four arches along the perimeter of a square cell at the base of the vault.

2)Ozhiva- diagonal arch. Almost always semicircular.

3)Tierseron- an additional rib coming from the support and supporting the lier in the middle.

4)Lierny- an additional rib running from the point of intersection of the revival to the gap of the cheek arches.

5)counterlierny- transverse ribs connecting the main ribs (i.e. revivals, lierns and tierserons).

6)formwork- in the rib vault filling between the ribs.

7)Keystone(socket)

Decor.

The technical solution of structural problems was not the only task of the Gothic architect. The enrichment of textures and the embellishment of the structure proceeded simultaneously with the evolution of constructive solutions and were almost inseparable from them. The buttresses were crowned with lanceolate turrets-pinnacles, in turn decorated with serrated protrusions. Spillways with the help of a sculptor turned into a fantastic combination of animal and plant forms. The tides of the portals going deep into the ledges are supported by thin columns alternately with elongated figures of angels and saints, and the arched contour of the tympanum above the doors was covered with reliefs on the themes of the Last Judgment or similar subjects and painted in bright colors. Thus, all forms of art played their part in enlightening the flock, warning the faithful of the dangers of a sinful life and visually depicting the bliss of a holy life.

In the solution of window openings, the same merging of constructive evolution and ornamentation took place. Initially, the case was limited to the grouping of two or three medium-sized windows in a single architectural frame. Then the partition between such windows was successively reduced, while the number of openings increased, until the effect of a completely dissected wall surface was achieved. Further reduction in the size of the stone piers between the smaller windows led to the emergence of a lacy window structure, the ornamental pattern of which was created by thin stone ribs. Initially assembled in the simplest geometric forms, the lacy structures of the windows became more and more complex over time. In England, such a "decorated" style of the late 14th-15th centuries. was replaced by "perpendicular", which in France corresponded to the style of "flaming gothic".

The multi-coloured stained-glass windows in these windows were assembled from small pieces of glass, clamped with an H-shaped lead profile to provide moisture insulation. However, the lead casings were not strong enough to withstand wind pressure over a large surface of glass, which subsequently required the use of frames made of iron rods or rebar.

Over time, curly stone ribs began to be used instead of iron fittings, which paved the way for freer lace compositions. IN stained glass windows 12th c. the dominant colors were shades of blue, complemented by red, bringing warmth to the whole. Yellow, green, white and purple were used extremely sparingly. In the same century, the builders of Cistercian churches, abandoning the abundance of flowers, began to use grisaille for decorative purposes (painting in different shades of the same color, often gray) on a simple greenish-white glass surface. In the 13th century the size of the pieces of colored glass is increasing, and red is used much more widely. In the 15th century stained glass art begins to decline.

Gothic rose/rosette

Rib vault options.

Schemes of various variants of the rib vault.

In Gothic cathedrals, one can find many variations of rib interlacing, many of which are unnamed. Several main types:

1) Cross vault (quadripartite rib vault)- the simplest version of the rib vault, which has six arches and four fields of formwork.

Arched cross vault.

2) Hexagon vault (sexpartite rib vault)- a complicated version of the cross vault, due to the introduction of an additional rib, dividing the vault into 6 decks.

3) Star vault (lierne vauit, Stellar vault)- the next stage of complication, thanks to the introduction of lierns, the number of which can increase. The location of the ribs takes on the shape of a star.

Star vault. Photo below.

A star vault is a form of cross Gothic vault. Has auxiliary ribs - tierserons And lierny. The main diagonal ribs of the cross vault are clearly distinguished in the framework.

4) Fan vault (fan vault)- is created by ribs emanating from one corner, having the same curvature, forming equal angles and forming a funnel-shaped surface resembling a fan. Typical of England ("spread gothic").

5) Net vault (netvault)- ribs create a grid of ribs with cells that are approximately the same in size.

Castles, manors and houses.

In the civil architecture of the Gothic era, it is necessary to distinguish between the early castle, which served as both a dwelling and a citadel, from the later country residence, which was built in an era of relative reduction in the need for individual defense of each from everyone. In both the first and second types, one can find signs originally developed in church architecture.

A house typical of the 13th century. had three floors and was placed to the street either with a side wall or with an end face. The ground floor was usually occupied by a shop and warehouse; on the second there were living rooms, of which the main one was facing the street; sleeping quarters were located in the third or in the attic. The shop facing the front and the kitchen behind were usually separated by a courtyard. Already in the 13th century. decorative design of chimneys came into fashion, and carved decor was widely used.

The most popular materials in residential construction were wood and plaster, but in some regions stone or brick was preferred. The wooden frame was usually assembled from powerful beams, the joints of which were carefully fitted and hemmed. The frame was left open from the outside, it brought a clear decorative pattern to the facade. The pattern was formed by vertical and horizontal rods, in some places connected by diagonal ties (in some regions - by crossing diagonals). Filling between the elements of the frame was made of plaster on wooden shingles or brick, then covered with plaster. Window coverings generally followed church fashion, but, of course, in simplified forms.

In the 14th-15th centuries. there are no significant changes in the general layout or in the structural scheme of the residential building, however, the number of windows increases, and they themselves become larger. By 1500, the former "lace" bindings are usually replaced by rectangular windows with straight imposts and rods.

civil architecture.

The Gothic architecture of France is not limited to churches, castles and residential buildings, also covering city halls, city bell towers, hospitals, schools of various levels and all other public buildings necessary for the life of a medieval person.

The city bell tower usually served as a symbol of the independence of the city. Several bells were hung on it, among which was a signal bell, and in the 14th century. clocks were set on it. In Moulins, a tower of this kind has been preserved, on which the clock is called by mechanical figures.

Most of the medieval hospitals were built in the Gothic era. Both the church and the feudal lords were their founders, but the management of the hospital was usually transferred to the hands of the church. The hospitals of that time had broader functions than modern ones, since in them, along with the treatment of the sick, they provided shelter and food for pilgrims, the elderly, the homeless and the needy. Their planning, constructive system and decor were borrowed equally from church architecture and from the architecture of a residential building. The first "lazarettos", or leper colonies for patients with leprosy, were also the first hospitals in the narrow sense of the word. In such infirmaries, lepers lived in separate houses, and those who looked after them lived in a separate building. Around 1270 in France there were up to 800 infirmaries, but by the 15th century. the need for them was reduced so much that the funds allocated for their maintenance were directed to other purposes. The Hospital Maladredi du Tortoire gives an idea of ​​the type of this institution. Three buildings are located on a rectangular plot: a two-story building for patients, a chapel and a two-story staff building, which housed the kitchen. On each of the two floors of the hospital building there was one long hall, lit by eight lace-laced windows. Fireplaces heated the hall and provided its ventilation, and mobile wooden screens between the beds made it possible to separate the patients from each other.

Monastic orders, specialized in helping the sick, created a different type of hospital. The best preserved medieval hospital in Beaune allows you to see the classic hospital layout of the 15th century. On the sides of the courtyard surrounded by an arcade are large halls (one for men, the other for women) and two side wings. Initially, at the end of each hall, an altar was arranged, illuminated by a large window. The halls were covered with wooden vaults. Glazed tiles on the outside, murals and tapestries inside brought intense color to the overall solution. Wooden galleries surrounding the yard gave patients the opportunity to walk under the fresh air.

Milan Cathedral. height from the ground (with a spire) - 108, 50 m; height of the central facade -56, 50 m.; length of the main facade: 67.90 m; width: 93 m; area: 11.700 sq. m; spiers: 135; 2245 statues on the facades.

Cathedral in Reims (Notre-Dame de Reims) in the French province of Champagne (Champagne). The Archbishop of Reims, Aubry de Humbert, founded the Cathedral of Our Lady in 1211. Architects Jean d'Orbais 1211, Jean-le-Loup 1231-1237, Gaucher de Reims 1247-1255, Bernard de Soissons 1255- 1285

Abbey of Saint Denis near Paris. France. 1137-1150

Gothic style. Cathedral in Chartres - Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres - Catholic cathedral in the city of Chartres (1194-1260)

Gothic Ulm Cathedral. Ulm in Germany, 161.5 m high (1377-1890)

Roman Catholic Gothic Cologne Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Peter (Kölner Dom). 1248-1437; 1842-1880 It was built on the model of the French cathedral in Amiens.

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Gothic style in architecture is the most majestic and monumental. It is the only one of all areas of building design that has a cult, religious flavor. It was mainly used in the construction of Catholic churches, cathedrals, churches. Therefore, the Gothic style gained popularity in those countries in which this religion dominates.

Gothic cannot be imitated with the help of facing materials and finishing works. This direction of architecture is expressed in the very design of the buildings, giving them a graceful and at the same time majestic look. All of them have one feature: they look much smaller from the outside than from the inside.

The basis of such buildings is a frame consisting of special "ribs" - ribs, buttresses, flying buttresses. These are the main structural elements, the use of which helps to reduce the load on the walls and distribute it correctly. This made it possible to build the widest window openings and high vaults, to use stained-glass windows in the design of buildings. Due to the strong frame, it was possible to significantly reduce the weight of the buildings and increase their area and height.

Gothic architectural compositions cannot be confused with ensembles of other styles. Gothic has only its inherent features: special expression and dynamics, expressiveness of decorative elements. Buildings built in this style are real works of art, a legacy of the culture of the Middle Ages.

The characteristic features of Gothic architecture are the soaring peaked domes and steles, high vaults, wide lancet arches, and massive columns. The huge interior spaces of cathedrals and temples are designed to emphasize the insignificance of man before God. The carefully thought-out design of the building frame made it possible to achieve high-quality sound effects, ensuring the audibility of the voice of the shepherd in the most remote corners of the temple.

Types of vaults of Gothic buildings

One of the main elements of Gothic buildings is the vault. It consists of special parts of the frame - ribs, which means "vein" or "rib" in translation. The cross vault was the first to be invented, which later became the main element of buildings in the Gothic style. In addition to it, there are other types of vaults:

• stellate;
• hexagonal;
• fan;
• reticulate.

Each of them is the basis of a dome or arch, is a supporting structure for walls and roofs. With the development of the architectural style, not only massive ribs, but also thinner and more elegant lintels - tierserons and lierns began to be included in the frame of the vaults. These are auxiliary elements, the presence of which allows the formation of curvilinear structures.

Star vault - photo

Gothic design elements

An invariable attribute of Gothic is sculptural compositions. These are integral elements of the design of any Catholic cathedral or temple. Sculptures are designed to impart spirituality to the space and give it a special, religious meaning. Gothic is characterized by the decoration of buildings with sculptures of prophets, angels, saints. Often the compositions of figures convey the meaning of religious tests and instructions. In any temple there are sculptures of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Each element of building design is designed to affect the soul and mind. common man, calling him an emotional response and a sense of admiration for the greatness of God.

Early Gothic (early-mid-twelfth century) has simpler and more concise features. These buildings are characterized by wide portals for entering the building, which were closed with massive doors. Starting from the 13th century, the frame style began to be used in the construction of Gothic buildings. From the beginning of the XIV century, the facades of the cathedrals began to be decorated with stucco and sculptural compositions. Moreover, the design elements were conceived along the entire height of the walls.

Cathedrals and temples were often rebuilt, so in one building you can see the features of different directions and stages of development of the Gothic. Starting from the 16th century, this style of architecture began to gradually lose its former significance, as the Baroque and Renaissance began to come to the fore.

In addition to sculptures and stucco moldings, decorative elements such as openwork tents and portals are used in the design of Gothic-style buildings. Inside the buildings are majestic columns, which are the supporting elements of the structure. The upper parts of the adjacent columns form a kind of tents or vaults, decorated with various bas-reliefs.

Gothic stained glass

The most important attribute of the Gothic style is stained-glass windows. These design elements of Catholic cathedrals and temples are distinguished by bright saturated colors, contrasting with the often dark color of the walls. Each stained glass window is a work of art, the result of many years of work of artists and glass specialists.

Any element of the design of Gothic buildings carries some meaning, most often a religious one. Stained glass windows are no exception. Each of them is a picture depicting a scene from the life of saints or other characters in Catholic books. Despite the huge area of ​​stained-glass windows and their color saturation, they look gray and faded from the outside of the building. All their beauty is revealed only when sunlight passes through the glass. Multi-colored radiance gives the space of the cathedrals a special flavor and solemnity.

Religious scenes in numerous stained-glass windows of religious buildings so often and in detail detailed the plots of religious books that over time they were ranked among some equivalents of handwritten texts.

If you want to decorate your house in the Gothic style, this can be done indoors. Sculptures, bas-reliefs, stained-glass windows and columns will help create an appropriate monumental and religious atmosphere. In order to give the structure the features of Gothic architecture, you can use several tricks:

• decorate the facade with decor elements that match the style;
• install sculptures;
• decorate windows with stained glass;
• attach polyurethane false columns and arches to the walls of the house.

Prices for stained glass self-adhesive films

Stained glass self-adhesive films

What you need to make stained glass

Decorating a house in the Gothic style involves the installation of massive stained-glass windows made of colored glass. The dimensions of these structures are very significant, therefore, of all the techniques for connecting pieces of glass, only one can be used: “soldered stained glass”.

What will be required to create this spectacular decor element?

1. Multi-colored glass with a thickness of at least 2 mm.
2. Lead, copper, steel or brass profile.
3. Frame material: metal, wood.
4. Glass processing machine.
5. Thick paper or cardboard for making a template.
6. glass cutter
7. Lead or copper adhesive tape.
8. Solder, rosin.
9. Flux.
10. Special tongs and wire cutters for breaking glass.

Preparation of the workplace, materials and tools

The main work in the manufacture of soldered stained glass is cutting and turning glass. This material requires careful handling, so you need a spacious, smooth and level table. Its optimal height is 5-10 cm above the waist of the person who will be engaged in the manufacture of stained glass.

Choice of glass cutter

The main tool with which you will have to work is a glass cutter. You can use any one that is most convenient:

• oil;
• roller;
• diamond;
• victorious.

When choosing a tool, it is important to pay attention to how comfortable its handle (handle) is. It is best to buy a glass cutter with a diamond cutting edge. But it should be noted that in the process of work it will need to be sharpened periodically. Therefore, at the same time as a glass cutter, it is recommended to purchase a special sharpening machine or a bar with a coating of diamond dust.

Suitable for cutting stained glass and a tool with automatic lubricant supply: oil glass cutter. Universal is equipped with a fixed head. It is useful for cutting glass in straight lines. To obtain curved edges, it is recommended to use an oil glass cutter with a rotating head.

The choice of grinder

For turning glass pieces, special grinders such as Kristall 2000 S, Edima E1M, DIAMANTOR are used. This is a professional equipment equipped with water supply and cooling mechanisms. Any of these machines has a high-quality system of protection against injuries, which ensures maximum comfort when turning glass.

Despite the fact that this equipment belongs to the professional category, it is quite affordable. You can buy it in specialized stores. Some stained glass workshops offer used tools at a reasonable price. For a novice master, the Kristall series grinders are most convenient. They are distinguished by the ease of changing the cutting head and the possibility of using an additional belt mechanism for glass turning.

From improvised tools you will need tongs and pliers. For work with glass with a thickness of 4 mm or more, a glass breaker will be required. Many craftsmen use tongs and devices for 3-point glass breaking in their work. When choosing improvised tools, they are guided by the complexity of the stained glass pattern and the thickness of the glass.

Selecting the profile and frame of the stained-glass window

To make a stained glass window in the Gothic style, you will need a frame for connecting glass modules. This ensures the strength and durability of the structure. To create a frame, you can use any profile: brass, lead, copper, steel. Otherwise, these materials are called "broach".

To ensure the strength and beauty of large-sized structures, a forged profile is ordered. This stained glass window looks solid and lasts a long time. The forged profile has only one drawback: the high price. The best choice for strengthening a massive stained-glass window is a lead profile. It has significantly greater rigidity than copper and brass. But brass has more attractive appearance and is often used in the manufacture of stained glass "Tiffany".

Any of the listed types of profiles is H-shaped, U-shaped, Y-shaped. Broaches of the first type are needed to connect stained glass modules. U-shaped profiles are needed for edging the structure and making the frame. With the help of Y-shaped broaches, the stained-glass window is inserted into special frames equipped with slots.

Elegant, thin, easy to bend even by hand, used for beveled glass with a thick edge

Selection of tools and materials for soldering

On sale there are special soldering irons for stained glass work. They are equipped with a voltage regulator and allow you to replace the tip. The last point is especially important, since most of the work on assembling a soldered stained glass window cannot be done with a soldering iron with a thick tip. Masters recommend purchasing a tool with a power of 65-100 watts. This power is sufficient for high-quality connection of pieces of glass of any size.

In addition to a soldering iron, you will need solder. The best choice is POS-61 or POS ─ 63. Sold in reels and rods. The average thickness is 3 mm. This solder can be used with a 40W soldering iron. This tool has a thin tip, which makes the soldering process more convenient and faster.

Solder POS-61 with rosin

To work with solder, you need flux. Among the masters there is no consensus on which flux is better. But the general recommendation is this: while there is no skill in making soldered stained-glass windows, it is advisable to buy a universal one. With experience comes an understanding of which is the most convenient.

If the stained glass pattern includes many small details, each piece of glass will need to be wrapped around the edge with a special adhesive foil tape. Large stained glass elements are connected with a broach. The tape is sold in reels, the width of the strip can be different: 4.76 mm, 5.16 mm, 6.35 mm. The foil can be with or without a black backing. If you plan to work with light-colored glass, when looking at the stained-glass window from the side, the black substrate may be noticeable.

Prices for various types of soldering irons

How to make a stained glass window template

For stained glass in the Gothic style, you need to choose not an abstract pattern, but the real picture, depicting scenes from Catholic books. Those who are not adherents of this religion can choose drawings with images of animals and birds, planets and stars.

As a rule, Gothic stained glass has a significant height and width. Therefore, drawing a sketch that will serve as a template will be difficult even for those who have the skills of an artist. The easiest way is to find a suitable drawing in electronic format and print it on several sheets of paper. You can also draw a sketch yourself using the CoralDrow program. To cut the template, you will need a plotter, so you will need to resort to the services of workshops for the manufacture of signs, advertising posters and banners.

It is important that all sketch lines are clear and have no gaps. If necessary, some details can be drawn with a felt-tip pen or marker. The finished template must be fixed on the desktop. To do this, you can use double-sided tape, buttons, small carnations and wooden slats. You need to make sure that the sketch is motionless. In this case, the set of stained glass will be easier and more convenient.

Brazed stained glass manufacturing technology

Step 1. On the template fixed on the desktop, they mark what color each element of the picture will be. You can make marks with colored felt-tip pens or sign with a simple pencil.

Step 2 Choose a piece of glass of the desired color and place it on top of the corresponding part of the picture.

Transferring details to film

Step 3 If the lines of the pattern are clearly visible through the glass, they are drawn along the contour of the part with a glass cutter. If the lines are hard to see, draw them on the glass. When working with a glass cutter, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of stained glass art masters:

• the glass surface must be clean (if necessary, it must be degreased);
• the cut should be fast enough and uniform, without excessive pressure;
• when the cut is performed correctly, a characteristic sound of glass crackling should be heard;
• 5-7 mm before the end point of the cut, you need to loosen the pressure on the glass;
• it is impossible to carry out with a glass cutter several times along the same line.

Step 4 Turn on the grinder and bring the edge of the glass to the rotating head. Lightly touching the mechanism, grind the part. During work, they perform a “fitting”: they put the cut element of the drawing on the template and check the conformity of the sizes and bends of the lines.

Step 5 The turned piece of glass is wrapped with adhesive foil tape. To accomplish this task, you can use special tools: rollers. But you can do without them. The tape is glued so that its edges cover the glass on both sides, protruding 1 mm beyond the edge. Therefore, the width of the tape must match the thickness of the glass, taking into account this requirement.

Step 5 When a part of the drawing is ready and all of its glass-cut elements are laid on the template, they begin to solder. Heat the soldering iron to the desired temperature, take a bar of solder and apply it to the junction line of two pieces of glass.

Step 6. They touch the solder with a soldering iron and "lead" the solder along the line of the drawing.

Step 7. After all the joints between the elements of the template have been worked out, the glass sheet is turned over and the same work is repeated: the pieces of glass are soldered to each other.

Step 8 When several drawing modules are ready, they begin to connect them using a broach. At this stage of work, an H-shaped profile is used. It is flexible enough to bond glass even with complex curves.

Step 9 After assembling the stained glass window, it must be installed in the frame. If the canvas turned out to be lightweight enough, you can use slotted wooden glazing beads. In this case, you will need a Y-shaped profile, the narrow part of which is inserted into the slots.

For heavy stained-glass windows, wooden or metal frames with a U-shaped section are used. The width of these strips must match the thickness of the glass, taking into account the two layers of solder and adhesive tape.

Step 10 The stained-glass window in the frame is installed in the window opening.

Installation of a false facade

In order to give the building a Gothic flavor, it is necessary to decorate the facade in the appropriate style. Before starting work, it is recommended to carefully consider photos of Gothic cathedrals and castles, to choose decor elements suitable for a particular building.

Gothic is characterized by gray gloomy tones. Therefore, facade panels imitating natural stone masonry are suitable.

You can install false polyurethane columns and arches, which will give the impression of massive openings and vaults, characteristic of the Gothic architectural style. But it should be noted that polyurethane foam is a material of white or other light color. All of them are unusual for Gothic. Therefore, columns and arches will need to be painted in gray or another chosen color.

Prices for types of false facades

False facade

Facade decoration with false columns

When choosing polyurethane foam decor elements, it should be taken into account that most of the false columns offered by manufacturers have an openwork frame. These decorative elements are suitable for decorating the facade in the Baroque style. Gothic is characterized by simplicity and brevity of lines. Therefore, you need to choose those elements that have as few fanciful curls as possible.

The whole complex of works can be divided into three stages:

• facade preparation;
• installation of decorative elements;
• coloring of polyurethane foam.

Prices for finished stucco columns

Stucco columns

Preparatory stage

First of all, you need to make a visual inspection of the walls and make sure that they do not require cosmetic repairs. If the situation is reversed, proceed to the preparation of the facade.

Step 1. Remove the old finishing layer from the walls.

Step 2 If there are cracks, clean them out, while removing all weakly adhering particles.

Step 3 Dust the surface with a rag or vacuum cleaner.

Step 4 The walls are primed for 1-2 layers, using special compositions for processing facades.

Step 5 Cracks are sealed with a cement-sand mortar prepared in a ratio of 3: 1 (one part of cement grade not lower than M400 and 1 part of quarry sand).