Known for its pointed arches and stained glass, Gothic architecture ranks as one of the grandest and yet longest-reigning architectural styles. It may be medieval in origin—many of the oldest churches still standing are Gothic—but new buildings with Gothic characteristics go up practically every year. Stately structures like churches, government buildings, and school campuses incorporate Gothic elements to endow them with a sense of history, permanence, and grandeur, not to mention beauty.
Gothic buildings date to the Middle Ages in Western Europe and are typically associated with the Catholic church, particularly in France. Per Encyclopedia Brittanica: "Gothic architecture is an architectural style in Europe that lasted from the mid-12th century to the 16th century, particularly a style of masonry building characterized by cavernous spaces with the expanse of walls broken up by overlaid tracery."
However, Gothic-style buildings have been built ever since, and they can house Episcopalian, Anglican, Lutheran, and more denominations of worshippers as well as serve nonreligious purposes. (Some of the most haunted houses have Gothic architecture characteristics.) It can also be confusing to tell if what you're looking at is actually an example of Gothic architecture, a combination of styles, or a modern interpretation. Ahead, we break down the key features of Gothic architecture, including the identifiable characteristics and most famous examples like London's Westminster Abbey, seen below.
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History
Gothic architecture evolved from the Romanesque architectural style as the demand for bigger, taller churches grew. The key elements of Romanesque buildings, like rounded arches, simply could not support them, so architects had to experiment with new solutions. Many early designs combine Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles to the extent that it's difficult to identify them clearly as one or the other.
Gothic architecture started to distinguish itself in the early 12th century, primarily in France. The Basilica of Saint-Denis, which broke ground in 1135, is frequently cited as one of the earliest clear examples of the style. Pointed arches and exterior buttresses allowed it to have a high, open interior filled with light. Notre Dame de Paris and Chartres Cathedral were also built during this time.
The High Gothic years, from 1250 to 1300, were still dominated by France, but Britain, Germany, and Spain produced variations of the style, such as Cologne Cathedral, London's Westminster Abbey, and Milan's Duomo. Italian Gothic architecture stood apart for its brick and marble construction rather than stone.
In the 15th century (1400s), Late Gothic architecture peaked with Germany's vaulted hall churches.
In the late 19th century, Gothic Revival architecture, also called Neo-Gothic or Victorian Gothic, repopularized the design style. Churches and even homes from this period look distinctly Gothic. The Gothic Revival architecture era coincided with the rise of Gothic literature and the works of Mary Shelley, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe.
Famous Examples
The best-known examples of Gothic architecture still standing today include medieval buildings as well as those built during the Gothic Revival period. Many Gothic buildings have been a work in progress for centuries. Germany's Ulm Minster, for example, was begun in the 1300s but not completed until the 1800s. And Paris's beloved Notre Dame is undergoing yet another rebuild—which may be the tenth in its history—following a tragic fire in 2019. It's no question, these grand buildings take vast resources (both manpower and money) to complete, and they're monuments to the communities they serve.
- St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City
- Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
- The Tribune Tower, Chicago
- Trinity Church, New York City
- Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh
- Westminster Abbey, London
- Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
- Duomo di Milano, Milan
- Catedral de Barcelona, Barcelona
- St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna
Basic Principles
Building higher, bigger, and grander was the guiding principle of Gothic architecture. Given that, it's no surprise that tall ceilings and ample natural light—two items still very much in demand today—were the key elements architects had in mind when drafting Gothic structures. Many of them were churches, and a bright, cool interior was even more important back then to making these buildings comfortable for parishioners.
Other signature elements, like the Gothic pointed arch, developed simply as a means to an end. "The rib vault, flying buttress, and pointed (Gothic) arch were used as solutions to the problem of building a very tall structure while preserving as much natural light as possible," according to Brittanica.
Gothic buildings typically feature stone construction, and the style was primarily reserved for churches and government buildings rather than residential properties or storefronts.
Key Features
You can recognize these six elements of Gothic architecture at a glance. Many were developed at the time to solve the unique challenges of building bigger buildings than had ever been built before.
Stained Glass
Because of their love of sunlight and natural light, many of the architects in the Gothic era commissioned stained glass windows, including elaborate and expensive rose windows. These washed the churches' interiors in a spectrum of color. Such windows drew regular parishioners to a church as well as religious travelers. Sites like Chartres Cathedral (seen here) and Notre Dame de Paris have been tourist destinations for centuries in part due to their incredible stained glass.
Pointed Arches
Rather than the rounded arches typical of the earlier Romanesque style, Gothic architecture is known for arches that come to a steep point. Gothic pointed arches, inspired by Islamic architecture, point to the heavens and accentuate the ultra-tall ceilings. They also helped redistribute the weight of the stone to allow for higher ceilings.
Ribbed Vaults
Rather than traditional vaulted ceiling beams, Gothic architects used ribbed vaults instead to make the buildings more structurally sound. According to Brittanica, "rib vaults are constructed from two, sometimes three, intersecting vaults, which can be of different widths but must be of the same height…pointed arches could be raised as high over a short span as over a long one. The arches are located at the joints of the vaults and carry the weight of the ceiling."
Flying Buttresses
Check out the sides of a Gothic building to see these architectural features in action. Medieval architects had to figure out a way to support the massive weight of stone Gothic structures as the pressure was on to construct ever bigger, taller, grander churches. Flying buttresses, which look like half an arch, are yet another tool to redistribute weight from a higher, heavier level, to a lower, more solid level. If elevators were what enabled us to build skyscrapers, then flying buttresses made Gothic cathedrals possible.
Gargoyles
Scary-looking gargoyles are a common finishing touch on the roofline of Gothic structures. Symbolically, they're said to ward off bad spirits and look like fantastical birds or beasts; practically, they function as waterspouts for the buildings' gutter system. (In French, gargouille means "throat.") You may also see similar carved elements called grotesques that deflect water rather than channel it. Washington National Cathedral, a famous example of Neo-Gothic architecture, is known for its collection of more than a hundred gargoyles and grotesques, including funny ones. Look closely and you can see a grotesque shaped like Darth Vader.
Spires
Very tall spires are another key Gothic architecture characteristic. The taller the spire, the closer to God. Ulm Minster in Germany (seen above) is considered by many to be the tallest Gothic church in the world, with grand views of the city and Danube River. It's about 530 feet or 38 stories tall, including its spire.
