The most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in France. Gothic European cathedrals

He began to outlive himself. At this time, the first prerequisites for an unusual new art arose. The name "Gothic", "Gothic architecture" comes from the word "Goths" - barbarian tribes with Germanic roots.

People of the Renaissance with refined manners were outraged that art was taking on a form that was far from the ancient canons. They called a new style Gothic, that is, barbaric. Almost all art of the Middle Ages fell under this definition.

This trend existed for some time together with the old trend, so it is quite difficult to separate them by different chronological boundaries. But it is possible to identify features of the Gothic style in architecture that were not similar to Romanesque.

When Romanesque art was at its peak in the twelfth century, a new movement began to emerge. Even the forms, lines and themes of the works were significantly different from everything that had come before.

The Gothic style in architecture is divided into several stages:

early Gothic;

the tall, or mature, species reached its limits in the 13th century;

flaming, or late, reached its peak in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Main style location

Gothic was popular where the Christian church dominated secular life. Thanks to a new type of architecture, temples, churches, monasteries, and churches appeared.

It originated in a small French province called Ile de France. At the same time, architects from Switzerland and Belgium discovered it. But in Germany, where this art got its name, it appeared later than the others. Other architectural styles flourished there. The Gothic style became the pride of Germany.

First try

With the beginning of the twelfth century, the main features characteristic of this direction appeared in the architecture of various cathedrals. So, if you look at the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris, you can see an unusual arch. It is this building that personifies the entire Gothic style in the architecture of Western Europe. A certain Abbot Suger supervised the construction.

The clergyman ordered that several internal walls be removed during construction. The Abbey immediately began to seem more voluminous, solemn and large-scale.

Heritage

Although the Gothic style in architecture concentrates mainly on individual human experiences, it also took a lot from its predecessor. Romanesque architecture handed over its laurels to this style and faded into the background.

The main object of Gothic style was the cathedral as a symbiosis of painting, architecture, and sculpture. If earlier architects preferred to create churches with round windows, thick walls with many supports and small interior spaces, then with the advent of this style everything changed. The new trend carried space and light. Often the windows were decorated with stained glass with Christian scenes. Tall columns, towers, oblong arches and carved facades appeared.

The horizontal Romanesque style left room for the vertical stripes of Gothic.

Cathedral

The Middle Ages are always identified with the development of Christianity. The Church gained power not only in religious but also in secular life. She began to rule states and place monarchs she liked on the throne.

Literacy was taught using church books. The only literature was religious. Music was also directly associated with Christianity. The Gothic style in the architecture of the Middle Ages interacted with all types of art.

The cathedral became the central place of any city. Parishioners visited it, they studied there, beggars lived here, and even theatrical performances were staged. Sources often mention that the government also met in church premises.

Initially, the Gothic style for the cathedral had the goal of significantly expanding the space and making it lighter. After such a monastery was created in France, the fashion began to quickly spread throughout Europe.

The values of the new religion, forcibly imposed during the Crusades, spread the Gothic style in architecture in Syria, Rhodes, and Cyprus. And the monarchs placed on the throne by the Pope saw in acute forms divine conduct and began to actively use them in Spain, England, and Germany.

Characteristics of the Gothic style in architecture

What distinguishes Gothic architecture from other styles is the presence of a stable frame. The main part of such a frame are arches in the shape of arrows, vaults going upward in the form of arcs and crosses.

A Gothic style building typically consists of:

Traveya - elongated cells of a rectangular design:

four arches:

4 pillars;

the skeleton of the vault, which is formed from the above-mentioned arches and pillars and has a cruciform shape;

flying buttresses - arches that serve to support the building;

buttresses - stable pillars outside the room, often decorated with carvings or spikes;

the windows are in an arched style, with mosaics, as clearly shows the Gothic style in the architecture of France and Germany.

While in Romanesque classical art the church is separated from the outside world, Gothic strives for interaction between the nature outside and the life of the cathedral inside.

Secular architecture in a new way

Considering that in Dark times church and religion in general were inseparable from everyday life people of that time, the fashion for the Gothic style in medieval architecture spread everywhere.

Following the cathedrals, town halls began to be built with the same characteristic features, as well as residential buildings, castles, mansions outside the city.

French Gothic masterpieces

The founder of this style was a monk from the Abbey of Saint-Denis, who decided to create a completely new building. He was nicknamed godfather Gothic, and the church began to be shown as an example to other architects.

In the fourteenth century, another striking example of Gothic architecture arose in the capital of France, which became famous throughout the world - the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris, a Catholic stronghold of faith in the city center, which has retained all the features of the Gothic style in architecture to this day.

The shrine was built where the Romans had previously honored the god Jupiter. Since ancient times, the place has been an important religious center.

IN new church The first stone was laid by Pope Alexander the Third, as well as Louis the Seventh. The cathedral was designed by the famous architect Maurice de Sully.

However, the founder of Notre Dame never saw his brainchild. After all, the cathedral was built only after a hundred years of continuous work.

According to the official plan, the temple was supposed to accommodate ten thousand citizens who lived in Paris at that time. And become a refuge and salvation in times of danger.

After so many years of construction, the city has grown several times. When it was completed, the cathedral became the center of all Paris. At the entrance, bazaars and fairs immediately formed, and street performers began performing. The elite of the Parisian nobility gathered with him and discussed new fashion trends.

They took refuge here during revolutions and wars.

Arrangements of the Notre Dame Cathedral

The frame of the cathedral is connected by many thin pillars using an arch. Inside, the walls stretch high and close together imperceptibly to the naked eye. The oblong windows are covered with stained glass. The hall is in twilight. The rays that do pass through the glass illuminate hundreds of sculptures made of silver, wax, and marble. They froze ordinary people, kings, church ministers in various poses.

Instead of the walls of the church, it was as if they had simply placed a frame of dozens of pillars. Colored paintings are placed between them.

The cathedral has five naves. The third one is much larger than the others. Its height reaches thirty-five meters.

If measured by modern standards, then such a cathedral can easily accommodate a twelve-story residential building.

The last two naves intersect and visually form a cross between them. It symbolizes the life and suffering of Jesus Christ.

Money from the public treasury was spent on the construction of the cathedral. The Parisians saved them and donated them after every Sunday service.

The cathedral has suffered greatly in modern times. Thus, the original stained glass windows can be seen only on the western and southern facades. Sculptures are visible in the choir, on the facades of the building.

Germany

The Gothic style of architecture was named after the tribes living in German territory. It was in this country that he experienced his heyday. The main attractions of Gothic architecture in Germany are:

1. Cologne Cathedral. This temple began to be built in the thirteenth century. Nevertheless, work on it was completed only in the nineteenth century, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty. Its style is reminiscent of Amiens Cathedral.

The towers have sharp ends. The middle nave is high, while the other four are of approximately the same proportions. The decor for the cathedral is very light and elegant.

At the same time, constrained dry proportions are noticeable.

The western branch of the church was completed in the nineteenth century.

2. Worms Cathedral, built in the thirteenth century by order of the local ruler.

3. Notre Dame in Ulm.

4. Cathedral in Naumburg.

Italian Gothic

Italy for a long time preferred to remain committed to ancient traditions, to the Romanesque style, and then to Baroque and Rococo.

But this country could not help but be inspired by the medieval trend that was new at that time. After all, it was in Italy that the Pope's residence was located.

The most striking example of Gothic architecture can be considered the Doge's Palace in Venice. Mixed with the cultural traditions of this city, it acquired its own unique characteristics, preserving the signs of the Gothic style in architecture.

In Venice, builders missed in their drawings the constructivism that reigned in this direction. They focused on decoration.

The façade of the Palace is unique in its components. So, on the lower floor there are columns made of white marble. They form pointed arches between themselves.

The building itself seems to settle on top of the columns and presses them to the ground. And the second floor is formed with the help of a large loggia along the entire perimeter of the building, on which supports are also placed, more elegant and elongated, with unusual carvings. This pattern extends to the third floor, the walls of which seem to be devoid of those windows that are characteristic of Gothic architecture. Instead of numerous frames, an ornament in geometric shapes appeared on the facade.

This Gothic-Italian style combines the luxury of Byzantine culture and European austerity. Piety and love of life.

Other Italian examples of the Gothic style in architecture:

The palace in Milan, which began to be built in the fourteenth century and was completed in the nineteenth;

Palazzo d'Oro (or Palazzo Santa Sofia) in Venice.

Light, seemingly soaring cathedrals, decorated with pointed turrets and pointed arches, are perhaps the most impressive legacy of the Middle Ages. We admire them with pleasure, but we don’t always think about whether Gothic churches are so similar to each other. different countries Western Europe, and did the appearance of these buildings change at all during the Gothic era?

Dawn of Gothic architecture

In this article we will not talk about the technical part. We will not delve into the layout of Gothic churches and the structure of their interiors, we will not remember the naves and transepts - longitudinal and transverse rooms - and will only touch on the frame system. These topics require a separate discussion. But now we will talk about something no less, and for some even more interesting: how to Western Europe Gothic church architecture appeared and flourished, as well as how French cathedrals differ from English or, say, German ones.

We can safely say that its customer, Abbot Suger, made a revolution in the construction of temples of that time. He decided to replace the usual heavy walls with lighter ones, which was made possible by a new load distribution system. Thus, the vault was built on a frame of protruding “ribs” - ribs, and on the sides they added spacers - semi-arches flying buttresses and vertical supports - buttresses. New system made the building not only airier, but also significantly lighter, thanks to the appearance of huge windows decorated with multi-colored windows.

French Gothic and its best examples

Everyone loved the new style so much that the experience of Saint Denis was soon used in the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral - the very same main temple in France. And then - during the construction of the Lansky Cathedral. By the way, it was built in a record short time by the standards of Gothic churches - in just 80 years.

This style is also recognizable when looking at Chartres Cathedral, which has the largest and most beautifully preserved ensemble of stained glass windows - more than 150 windows with a total area of about 2000 m2.

One cannot help but recall the magnificent, seemingly carved, Bourges Cathedral, in the crypt of which to this day there is the tombstone of Jean of Berry, one of the main patrons of the Gothic era.

A little later, majestic cathedrals were erected in Reims, which today has preserved its original stained glass windows and sculptures better than others. And also the cathedral in Amiens, which is distinguished by the height of the vault (42.3 m) and the largest capacity - its area is 8000 m2.

Over time, cathedrals seemed to become lighter and taller, and stained glass windows, enriched with a variety of new shades, became more numerous and complex.

The apotheosis of stained glass Gothic art can be observed in the royal chapel of Saint Chapelle, entirely consisting of radiant multi-colored glass.

Upper chapel of the Basilica Sainte-Chapelle, Wikimedia

The sculptural decoration of temples also became richer. Not only traditional angels, apostles or allegorical figures settled on the facades, altar partitions and other parts of the cathedrals, but also peasants, artisans at work, as well as completely fantastic creatures: grotesque chimeras, gargoyles, dragons.

Everything we have said applies to French cathedrals, examples of the Gothic style in Europe. So, to summarize: the French cathedral as a whole has tall openwork towers, light pointed arches, portals and windows. It is decorated with numerous sculptures - expressive, dynamic and invariably graceful, as well as a “stone lace” of architectural details (wimpergable pediments, floral curls and thorns).

Other European Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages

French cathedrals were imitated and copied, but in each country in its own way, in accordance with its own regional features, with technical and material equipment. For example, in England, not a city cathedral, but a monastery cathedral, more squat and extended, surrounded a huge amount extensions, and having only one dominant feature - a tower. Among the most famous English Gothic churches are Salisbury Cathedral, Durham Cathedral and, of course, Canterbury Cathedral, the residence of the archbishop.

Cathedrals in the Romanesque-Gothic style are typical for Germany. Agree, why rebuild an old long-term cathedral if you can simply complete the construction in a new style. In addition to them, in Germany there are also examples of pure Gothic. For example, the Church of Our Lady in Trier, the Church of St. Elizabeth in Marburg, Magdeburg Cathedral and finally, the pearl of the Gothic style - Cologne Cathedral.

German Gothic is stricter than French, it is characterized by clearer geometric shapes and a relatively small amount of sculptural decoration.

Only the Cologne Cathedral strongly resembles French churches and, like them, is an example of long construction.

Spanish Gothic (cathedrals in Seville, Burgos and Toledo) tend to be mixed with Moorish architecture, which, of course, is associated with the former Arab rule.

And in Italy, Gothic never had the purity of the French “classical” style. The fact is that she never forgot Antiquity, and already at the end of the Middle Ages the Proto-Renaissance flourished there, marking the beginning of the Renaissance. Probably the most Gothic building in Italy is the Milan Cathedral, built of white marble.

It is interesting that this absolute miracle of architecture took a very long time to build - 550 years, and during this time 180 architects, sculptors and artists managed to take part in its creation.

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Gothic architecture in France is an architectural style that was widespread in the territory of modern France from the 40s of the 12th century until the beginning of the 16th century, when it was replaced by the Renaissance.

Originating in the center of the country, the Gothic style quickly spread throughout France and beyond. The skill of architects reached its peak in the middle of the 13th century, after which development proceeded through the use of applied crafts, in particular stone processing. Gothic as a French style has become a role model in most Western and Central Europe

, in which it acquired features characteristic of their architectural traditions. Individual architectural monuments in the Gothic style or historical ensembles including Gothic buildings, mainly cathedrals, were included in the List of objects World Heritage
UNESCO in France. Here. Pay attention to the generalities, when it is impossible to understand at first glance which specific cathedral is in the photograph, and to the differences, by which it is still easy to recognize what kind of cathedral is in front of you... Individual sculptures and even sculptural groups are particularly difficult to identify .

CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME OF PARIS - NOTRE DAME de PARIS.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 on the site where a Roman pagan temple stood, by order and with the blessing of the pope Alexandra III. Construction lasted for two centuries. According to the plans of the Pope, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was supposed to outshine all other similar buildings that already existed on Earth with its beauty.
The dimensions of Notre Dame Cathedral are stunning at first glance: length - 130 m, width - 48 m, height - 35 m, height of the western facade - 43 m, width of the western facade - 41 m, weight of the Emanuel bell - 13 tons. You can enter the cathedral through the portal of Our Lady, which is decorated with an elaborate composition consisting of statues of monarchs and saints. Tall lancet windows add lightness to the cathedral. The west rose window is a symbol of the Virgin Mary. She is surrounded by Old Testament characters. In the center of the stained glass window is a medallion that shimmers in red and blue. The medallion symbolizes the Virgin Mary. The south window is dedicated to Christ.

The main or central nave of Notre Dame de Paris is located opposite the portal of the Last Judgment, surrounded by columns. The height of the central nave is amazing. The long presbytery (altar part) is separated from the rest of the cathedral by a stone partition.

Today, only its fragments, decorated with reliefs of famous gospel scenes, which date back to the 14th century, have been preserved. The presbytery contains the bishop's throne and seats for honored guests, decorated with Baroque carvings. The real decoration of the cathedral are: the Pieta, the sculpture of the Virgin and Child, the expressive “May” painting of Charles Lebrun...
To get to the top of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, you need to climb 387 steps, after passing through wide fifteen-meter buttress arches into the gallery that stretches along the two western towers. The gallery railings are decorated, or intimidated, by mascarons (convex stucco ornaments in the form of a mask or human face).

The outer part of the cathedral is decorated with various chimeras and gargoyles.

If you managed to overcome all these obstacles, then you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of Paris that opened before you from the heights of Notre Dame Cathedral. Who knows, maybe the events of the immortal novel of the great Victor Hugo came to him precisely at that moment when he, having climbed to the roof of Notre Dame de Paris, looked at the capital of France from a bird's eye view...

The roof of Notre Dame Cathedral - from here you can clearly see another symbol of Paris and France - the Eiffel Tower.
There are many legends associated with the cathedral. For example, according to one of them, the Emmanuel bell was cast in 1600 from jewelry donated to the cathedral by women in order to obtain a unique ringing. But the cathedral gained its fame in our country thanks to Victor Hugo.

CHARTRES CATHEDRAL

Chartres Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral is the most famous monument of the city of Chartres, 90 km southwest of Paris. The cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings.

Churches have long stood on the site of the modern Chartres Cathedral. Since 876, the Holy Shroud of the Virgin Mary has been kept in Chartres.

Instead of the first cathedral, which burned down in 1020, a Romanesque cathedral with a huge crypt was erected. It survived the fire of 1134, which destroyed almost the entire city, but was badly damaged during the fire of June 10, 1194. From this fire, which was started by a lightning strike, only the towers with the western facade and the underground chapel (crypt) survived. The miraculous salvation from the fire of the sacred shroud was considered a sign from above and served as the reason for the construction of a new, even more grandiose building.

The construction of the new cathedral began in the same 1194 with donations flocking to Chartres from all over France. City residents voluntarily delivered stone from surrounding quarries. The design of the previous building was taken as a basis, into which the surviving parts of the old building were inscribed. The main work, which included the construction of the main nave, was completed in 1220, the consecration of the cathedral took place on October 24, 1260 in the presence of King Louis IX and members of the royal family.

This new cathedral has survived to this day almost untouched. It escaped destruction and robbery and was never restored or rebuilt.

A distinctive feature of the cathedral is that its two towers are very different from each other. The north tower has a typical Gothic base (with buttresses and a small amount holes) and a spire in the Flaming Gothic style, made a little later. The south tower, on the contrary, has a Gothic base and is crowned with a simpler spire.

AMIENS CATHEDRAL.

Amiens Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world and one of the largest in France.

The previously existing Romanesque cathedral burned to the ground in 1218 in a fire caused by a lightning strike. But the small church located near the cathedral survived. It contained the relics of Saint Firmin, the first bishop of the city of Amiens, so the church could not be demolished until the completion of the construction of the new cathedral, where the relics of the saint were subsequently transferred.

According to original plan The cathedral towers were supposed to be built twice as wide and much higher than the existing ones. However, they were built only to half the designed height, as a result of which the towers barely rise above the roof of the cathedral. In 1366, the construction of a tent over the southern tower began, and the northern tower was completed only at the beginning of the 15th century. Different in height and design, they give the facade of the cathedral an extraordinary picturesqueness.

Amiens Cathedral is beautiful from all sides. The slender tower canopy of the lantern above the central cross enhances the overall impression of aspiration upward and emphasizes the height of the Gothic structure. Graceful light buttresses, topped with pinnacles, rise from the base of the cathedral to its roof.

During the French Revolution, when thousands of sculptures and reliefs were smashed, many cathedrals in France were damaged. However, thanks to the efforts of influential citizens of Amiens, who blocked the revolutionaries' access to the cathedral, losses there were minimal.

Despite the fact that many churches were built in the Gothic style both in France and in other European countries, it is the Amiens Cathedral that is one of the most daring, original and harmonious buildings of the Gothic church.

ROUEN CATHEDRAL

Rouen Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most important monuments of Gothic architecture in France. The massive walls of the cathedral run along the entire Rue San Romano, one of the most prestigious in medieval Rouen.

Any, even the most modest camera, easily and naturally conveys all the beauty and power of this incredible structure, which has inspired writers and artists of various calibers for centuries. People against the background of the cathedral look small, like worms. Massive entrance doors seem tiny, like holes punched with a nail in a canvas.

The cathedral suffered greatly during the war. Before landing in Normandy, the Allies carried out carpet bombing for the whole night. One of the side towers collapsed and damaged the supporting columns. In theory, the cathedral should have collapsed and crumbled into dust, but it miraculously survived. The renovation took twelve years. In 2000, either the same or a different tower collapsed again. This happened at five in the morning, and the cathedral, fortunately, was empty, otherwise disaster would have happened. Of course, such an ancient structure has to be constantly monitored.

Rouen Cathedral is over 800 years old. The central tower with a spire is 70 meters deep from the facade - it is located exactly in the spatial center of the cathedral, which is very unusual.

Two towers overlook the square in front of the cathedral façade: the left one, built in the 12th-15th centuries, and the right one, dating from 1506, which was built in just 20 years. This later style, with its many fine details and complex form, is called “flaming Gothic.”

Interior of the cathedral

For your more yellow the right tower was nicknamed the Olive Tower. Despite the fact that there is more than enough limestone in Normandy, the stone for the Tower of Olives was brought from Wells. In addition to the color, there is another explanation for the name of the tower: according to legend, the money for its construction was taken from the proceeds from the sale of indulgences. And the church sold the most indulgences for violating the rules of Lent. The people of Rouen loved butter and did not deny themselves this pleasure even on days of fasting. In addition, the heads of wealthy families had to pay for indulgences for all household members.

The central spire was added later than all others in the mid-19th century. Its height is 151 meters.

The famous artist Claude Monet glorified the cathedral by creating a series of views of the cathedral in different times days.

And finally, the already well-known Rheims CATHEDRAL

Reims Cathedral or Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous examples of Gothic art in France due to its architecture and sculptural compositions. This is a classic example of High Gothic architecture at its peak.

The cathedral is world famous for the fact that from the Middle Ages until the 19th century, the coronations of almost all French monarchs took place here.

The cathedral in Reims has ancient history. The oldest cathedral building on this site dates back to 401. In the 9th century, construction of a new one began on the site of the dilapidated old temple. However, a huge fire in 1210 completely destroyed it. Then the third stage of construction began, as a result of which the majestic structure appeared, which has survived to this day.

The two 80-meter towers of the western façade of Reims Cathedral are the tallest in France. They could have been even higher, since it was originally planned to crown them with high tents with spiers, but this plan did not come true. In addition, they wanted to build five more towers, but this plan was also not implemented.

A special feature of Reims Cathedral is the sculptures that made it famous. More than five hundred figures are presented in the “Gallery of Kings” alone. There are about 2000 sculptures in total. Most of they were created in the 13th century. These are sculptural images of saints, bishops, knights, kings, and artisans. Reims Cathedral is often called the “Cathedral of Angels” because of the many sculptures depicting them. Reims Cathedral was heavily damaged during the French Revolution. Even more severe damage was caused to the cathedral during the First World War. Complete restoration work was completed only in 1996. I'm lucky. I was there in 1997.

Today, the majestic and at the same time harmonious cathedral continues to be a wonderful monument of French Gothic, whose sculptures served as a model for other churches in France, Italy and Spain.

So what common features, and which belong to specific cathedrals? I hope it’s not too weak to answer! Go for it!

People of the Renaissance with refined manners were outraged that art was taking on a form that was far from the ancient canons. They called the new style Gothic, that is, barbaric. Almost all art of the Middle Ages fell under this definition.

The Gothic style in architecture is divided into several stages:

early Gothic;

the tall, or mature, species reached its limits in the 13th century;

flaming, or late, reached its peak in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Main style location

Gothic was popular where the Christian church dominated secular life. Thanks to a new type of architecture, temples, churches, monasteries, and churches appeared.

First try

The clergyman ordered that several internal walls be removed during construction. The Abbey immediately began to seem more voluminous, solemn and large-scale.

Heritage

The horizontal Romanesque style left room for the vertical stripes of Gothic.

Cathedral

The values of the new religion, forcibly imposed during the Crusades, spread the Gothic style in architecture in Syria, Rhodes, and Cyprus. And the monarchs, placed on the throne by the Pope, saw divine conduct in acute forms and began to actively use them in Spain, England, and Germany.

Characteristics of the Gothic style in architecture

A Gothic style building typically consists of:

Traveya - elongated cells of a rectangular design:

four arches:

4 pillars;

the skeleton of the vault, which is formed from the above-mentioned arches and pillars and has a cruciform shape;

flying buttresses - arches that serve to support the building;

buttresses - stable pillars outside the room, often decorated with carvings or spikes;

the windows are in an arched style, with mosaics, as clearly shows the Gothic style in the architecture of France and Germany.

While in Romanesque classical art the church is separated from the outside world, Gothic strives for interaction between the nature outside and the life of the cathedral inside.

Secular architecture in a new way

Given that in the Dark Ages the church and religion in general were inseparable from the daily life of the people of that time, the fashion for the Gothic style in the architecture of the Middle Ages spread everywhere.

Following the cathedrals, town halls with the same characteristic features began to be built, as well as residential buildings, castles, and mansions outside the city.

French Gothic masterpieces

The founder of this style was a monk from the Abbey of Saint-Denis, who decided to create a completely new building. He was nicknamed the godfather of Gothic, and the church began to be shown as an example to other architects.

In the fourteenth century, another striking example of Gothic architecture arose in the capital of France, which became famous throughout the world - Notre Dame Cathedral, a Catholic stronghold of faith in the city center, which has retained all the features of the Gothic style in architecture to this day.

The shrine was built where the Romans had previously honored the god Jupiter. Since ancient times, the place has been an important religious center.

The first stone was laid in the new church by Pope Alexander the Third, as well as Louis the Seventh. The cathedral was designed by the famous architect Maurice de Sully.

However, the founder of Notre Dame never saw his brainchild. After all, the cathedral was built only after a hundred years of continuous work.

According to the official plan, the temple was supposed to accommodate ten thousand citizens who lived in Paris at that time. And become a refuge and salvation in times of danger.

They took refuge here during revolutions and wars.

Arrangements of the Notre Dame Cathedral

The frame of the cathedral is connected by many thin pillars using an arch. Inside, the walls stretch high and close together imperceptibly to the naked eye. The oblong windows are covered with stained glass. The hall is in twilight. The rays that do pass through the glass illuminate hundreds of sculptures made of silver, wax, and marble. Ordinary people, kings, church ministers froze in them in various poses.

Instead of the walls of the church, it was as if they had simply placed a frame of dozens of pillars. Colored paintings are placed between them.

The cathedral has five naves. The third one is much larger than the others. Its height reaches thirty-five meters.

If measured by modern standards, then such a cathedral can easily accommodate a twelve-story residential building.

The last two naves intersect and visually form a cross between them. It symbolizes the life and suffering of Jesus Christ.

Money from the public treasury was spent on the construction of the cathedral. The Parisians saved them and donated them after every Sunday service.

Germany

The towers have sharp ends. The middle nave is high, while the other four are of approximately the same proportions. The decor for the cathedral is very light and elegant.

At the same time, constrained dry proportions are noticeable.

The western branch of the church was completed in the nineteenth century.

2. Worms Cathedral, built in the thirteenth century by order of the local ruler.

3. Notre Dame in Ulm.

4. Cathedral in Naumburg.

Italian Gothic

Italy for a long time preferred to remain committed to ancient traditions, to the Romanesque style, and then to Baroque and Rococo.

But this country could not help but be inspired by the medieval trend that was new at that time. After all, it was in Italy that the Pope's residence was located.

In Venice, builders missed in their drawings the constructivism that reigned in this direction. They focused on decoration.

The façade of the Palace is unique in its components. So, on the lower floor there are columns of white marble. They form pointed arches between themselves.

This Gothic-Italian style combines the luxury of Byzantine culture and European austerity. Piety and love of life.

Other Italian examples of the Gothic style in architecture:

The palace in Milan, which began to be built in the fourteenth century and was completed in the nineteenth;

Palazzo d'Oro (or Palazzo Santa Sofia) in Venice.

It is interesting that the architecture called Gothic has nothing in common with the Gothic tribes that once inhabited Europe. The Gothic style grew out of the Romanesque in the 12th century and was called the "French style" at the time. Since that time, Gothic architecture began to gain popularity in Western Europe. And until the 16th century, churches and palaces decorated in the Gothic traditions grew like mushrooms after rain.

Gothic style has distinctive features: the use of a frame system, high vertical windows with stained glass, pointed arches with pillars as supports, flying buttresses, cross vaults, openwork towers and much more. Here are the 10 most famous Gothic cathedrals in Europe:

St. Stephen's Cathedral - Vienna, Austria

This wonderful temple is located in the heart of cozy Vienna, which has survived many military conflicts. The cathedral on Stephansplatz, soaring upward with its spiers, is a symbol of the city and all of Austria. It stands on the ruins of two 12th century temples. Under the temple there are catacombs, which were once an underground cemetery, and inside there is a tomb of the Habsburg dynasty.

Cathedral in Burgos, Spain

A small medieval town in the modern north contains one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture - Cathedral in honor of the Virgin Mary. It is famous for its unique shape and large size. Its construction began in 1221 and lasted almost 2 centuries! In 1919, the national hero of Spain, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid) and his wife, found their final refuge here. The temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Reims Cathedral - Reims, France

Reims Cathedral For a long time it was the place of coronation of all French monarchs. It was founded on the site of an ancient basilica, where Saint Remigius, the bishop of the city, baptized Clovis I. Construction was completed by the end of the 13th century. The cathedral was heavily damaged during military clashes.

Milan Cathedral - Milan, Italy

Amazing Gothic temple in the main square of Milan - business card cities. Moreover, Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous and photographed buildings in all of Europe. It is also one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Its construction began in 1386. The architect Antonio da Saluzzo was inspired by late French Gothic. Construction was completed only after almost 5 centuries!

Seville Cathedral - Seville, Spain

York Minster - York, England

One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, York Minster disputes for this title with the Cologne Cathedral. The current building was built between 1230 and 1472. The cathedral is famous for its huge stained glass windows. Due to the threat of collapse, the temple is often reconstructed.

Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, France

Beautiful Catholic cathedral in the fourth arrondissement of Paris is perhaps the most famous Gothic cathedral in the world, thanks to the fact that its name is firmly entrenched in the golden fund of world literature. Its construction began in 1163 and lasted until approximately 1345. This shining example French Gothic architecture, including unique stained glass windows and sculptures. During the French Revolution, some of the sculptures were damaged. It was also in this cathedral that Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned on December 2, 1804.