Gothic Architecture And Neo Gothic: General Characteristics

The first phase of gothic lasted from approx. the 1130s – to 1200s. It quickly spread in this stage throughout Europe. The 3 defining elements which were present; flying buttresses, ribbed vaults and pointed arches; latter replaced rounded arches that allowed for more flexibility in cathedrals of those vertical proportions.

In England, the early gothic period, also called Lancet style, was well represented by the Rochester Cathedral (1183) and Salisbury Cathedral (1220s-1250s), though they not only placed emphasis on the verticality of the structure, they equally emphasised horizontally as well. The use of buttresses that directly have contact to the ground level walls, unlike the flying buttresses being detached, was also unique to English gothic.

By the time the 13th CE came around, french architecture had prevailed, and so the Rayonnant style was born. One of the cathedrals built at this time Amiens cathedral (constructed 1220-1288) is known to have influenced later gothic developments. With it being the largest significant cathedral at the time, along with Reims (1211) and Chartres (1260). The Rayonnant construction style made for a greater verticality, hence having an extraordinary impact on future developments. Other popular cathedrals constructed at this time were Reims Cathedral commencing in 1211 which was intended to replace a church that had burned down, while Chartres in 1260 became best known for its stained glass windows, and their translations of the old and new testament.

In other countries in Europe, Germany began working on Cologne Cathedral in 1248, however, it wasn’t until the 19th century to which it was completed and by that time, the gothic style movement made its way back in the form of the Gothic revival. And this foresaw the use of tracery not only on windows and walls, it was used inspires as of Strasbourg Cathedral in 1399 during the rayonnant period, also not completed till the 19th century. England was also one that had its Rayonnant buildings, having rebuilt Westminster Abbey in 1245 under the order of King Henry III, in the gothic style. This was greatly influenced by French Gothic architecture, mainly the new cathedrals at the time which were Chartres, Reims and Amiens mentioned before. Under the official order of King Henry III, it was designed for coronations and for the burial of monarchs, as well as a place of worship. All the while, Italy came into the gothic style a bit later than its neighbours. Cathedrals with romanesque characteristics were still being built at the time, and it wasn’t until the late 13th CE when we saw a development of the Italian Gothic style, all the while having brick as there most popular building material, not stone as many countries favoured. However, Italian Cistercian churches in the early 13th CE did show some ‘northern’ characteristics, like the pointed arches present at the Fossanova Abbey (1208). It wasn’t until the late 14th century that building commenced on Milan Cathedral, one of the largest gothic cathedrals to this day, though it swayed from the traditional twin-towered facade and took a different approach, being covered in multiple peaks.

A lot of experimentation took place in the 15th CE, with the Perpendicular style being a phase unique to England. One notable change came to the nave of Canterbury Cathedral, as well as the addition of the crossing tower, influenced by one of the greatest achievements in late gothic architecture, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Giotto’s bell tower is the most expressive example of 14th century Gothic architecture in Florence. Though it’s considered both a gothic and a Renaissance cathedral, the nave and aisles are separated by wide pointed Gothic arches resting on composite piers is a distinct feature of gothic style.

The late gothic style in France, usually called Flamboyant, evolved the Rayonnant style by increasing the embellishments and decoration, it detailed the ornate tracery identified during this time. The most notable example of this being the west facade of Rouen Cathedral, the tracery with patterns that imitated flames (french: flambe) gave the style its name. Construction on this cathedral continued for many centuries, and for that it recognised all expressions from early gothic to Rayonnant, Flamboyant and even with the addition of the spire in the 19th CE, during the revival of gothic architecture. And so Gothic was succeeded by the renaissance, however, the change from gothic to the renaissance wasn’t as dramatic as the change from romanesque to gothic. It wasn’t long before the resurrection of gothic architecture took hold, and thus began the movement of Neo-gothic in the 19th CE. Unlike gothic architecture where it was reserved for churches and cathedrals, its revival found its way into everyday structures.