Gothic architecture: an introduction (article) | Khan Academy (2024)

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  • victoria aka crafty girl aka cupid

    9 years agoPosted 9 years ago. Direct link to victoria aka crafty girl aka cupid's post “How come buildings are c...”

    How come buildings are considered art.?

    (6 votes)

    • DC

      9 years agoPosted 9 years ago. Direct link to DC's post “Because they can be built...”

      Gothic architecture: an introduction (article) | Khan Academy (4)

      Gothic architecture: an introduction (article) | Khan Academy (5)

      Because they can be built beautifully. Many buildings are plain and boring, like a painted wall, but when you turn the architecture, or the paint, into a masterpiece like the Mona Lisa or the Hagia Sophia, it is art, and art by any measure.

      (27 votes)

  • Joe Rue Pighams

    9 years agoPosted 9 years ago. Direct link to Joe Rue Pighams's post “I thought that the archit...”

    I thought that the architecture had a symbolic meaning. Like how the churches were often in the shape of a cross, I thought that the ribbed vaulting was supposed to look like the inside of the bottom of a boat, referring to how the church is where the spiritual journey takes place.
    Am I wrong or did they just fail to mention this?

    (11 votes)

  • 1315048633

    8 years agoPosted 8 years ago. Direct link to 1315048633's post “what was the difference b...”

    what was the difference between ribbed vaulting and barrel vaults

    (4 votes)

    • Justin Tang

      8 years agoPosted 8 years ago. Direct link to Justin Tang's post “Barrel VaultTo understa...”

      Gothic architecture: an introduction (article) | Khan Academy (12)

      Barrel Vault

      To understand the ribbed groin vault, we have to see where it derived from. We can understand it better by looking at the barrel vault and groin vault.

      A barrel vault is the simplest form of a vault. It is a continuous archway with a surface or ceiling that is semi-circular or with a point. It is very similar to a barrel or a tunnel that was cut in half height-wise, hence the name barrel vault. Barrel vaults have existed since the Ancient Egyptians and were commonly used during Roman times.

      Groin Vault

      A groin vault in the simplest definition is an intersection of two barrel vaults positioned in right angles (90 degrees). Groin vaults are stronger than barrel vault structures because barrel vaults must be built on long walls creating less stable lateral stress, whereas the groin vault design can implement stress vertically on piers.

      Ribbed Vault

      In ribbed vaults, stone "ribs" are added to groin vaults where the arris would form. The ribs offer many advantages from functional and structural support to visual enhancements. Groin vaults compared to ribbed vaults are heavier, requiring more support and heavier filling. The stone ribs allow some of the force and pressure from the ceiling to be easily transferred to the columns/pier support below. This allows the structure to use lighter materials for the filling.

      The most important advantage of ribbed vaults is the ability to construct vaults in greater heights. It was very important for architects to achieve a monumental scale to represent the glory of God. The ability to go higher creates a sense of greatness and also allows windows in the structure to be bigger and taller, eliminating walls as a primary form of support. This creates an airy and ethereal atmosphere. Cathedrals would change from dark, massive and heavy buildings to tall elegant structures with a multitude of windows. The Durham Cathedral marks the first building to have ribbed vaults, an important structural element that would help the Gothic style flourish between the 12th and 16th century.

      (10 votes)

  • forreynj

    8 years agoPosted 8 years ago. Direct link to forreynj's post “What are some additional ...”

    What are some additional resources that go into more detail about the mathematics and engineering behind Gothic architecture?

    (4 votes)

    • drszucker

      8 years agoPosted 8 years ago. Direct link to drszucker's post “Otto von Simson's old but...”

      Otto von Simson's old but wonderful book, The Gothic Cathedral, might be a good place to start. http://press.princeton.edu/titles/4201.html

      (4 votes)

  • Shadia

    9 years agoPosted 9 years ago. Direct link to Shadia's post “I was wondering where on ...”

    I was wondering where on Khan Academy I could find an activity on Gothic Sculpture?

    Also, did the Gothic architecture also reflect on the artwork produced?

    (2 votes)

  • jzhang1

    7 years agoPosted 7 years ago. Direct link to jzhang1's post “"In fact, the column basi...”

    "In fact, the column basically continued all the way to the roof, and became part of the vault."

    Could someone please explain what a "vault" is? The word reminds me of an attic, or a treasury, but I'm not sure...

    (1 vote)

  • saubhaginimahajan2298

    7 years agoPosted 7 years ago. Direct link to saubhaginimahajan2298's post “Comparision between st se...”

    Comparision between st sernin toulouse ( romanesque ) and reima catherdral (gothic)?
    Points of comparsion
    Arches
    Vaults
    Buttresses
    Elevation
    Plan
    Lighting
    (Answering what why how ?)

    (1 vote)

    • David Alexander

      7 years agoPosted 7 years ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “I think you can google ea...”

      I think you can google each of these buildings and print out the wikipedia articles to which you are led. Then, using markers or colored pencils, one color for each of your comparative categories, you can find the data you want and make the comparisons. The most important thing you can do is your own homework.

      (2 votes)

  • Camp Girl!!!

    10 months agoPosted 10 months ago. Direct link to Camp Girl!!!'s post “what is the main similari...”

    what is the main similarity between all three churches? Notre Dame, St Denise, and Cathedral of St. John The Baptist?

    (2 votes)

    • David Alexander

      10 months agoPosted 10 months ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “Could it be the floor pla...”

      Could it be the floor plan?
      Could it be the placement of the altar within the structure?
      Could it be the style of the towers?
      Consider these three as you view pictures of the structures. I'm sure that you can come up with something.

      (0 votes)

  • Casey.O

    7 years agoPosted 7 years ago. Direct link to Casey.O's post “How common were Gothic ch...”

    How common were Gothic churches?

    (1 vote)

    • drszucker

      7 years agoPosted 7 years ago. Direct link to drszucker's post “Gothic was the dominant s...”

      Gothic was the dominant style north of the Alps for churches for several hundred years beginning in the 12th century. So yes, Gothic churches was quite common.

      (1 vote)

  • Amber Runkle

    6 years agoPosted 6 years ago. Direct link to Amber Runkle's post “What were some requiremen...”

    What were some requirements of cathedrals?

    (1 vote)

    • David Alexander

      6 years agoPosted 6 years ago. Direct link to David Alexander's post “A cathedral is the offici...”

      A cathedral is the official throne of the bishop. It is nothing but a chair. A cathedral church is the building in which the bishop's chair is located. That being the case, the "requirement" of a cathedral church is that it be the headquarters of the bishop, who administers that region and all the churches in it, and that the church itself be large enough to hold the chair, the bishop who sits in it, and any other people who might be present for ceremonies associated with the administrative and ecclesiastical duties performed there.
      I live in Tainan, Taiwan, where the local cathedral church is rather modest. In fact, it's smaller in scale than some of the local parish church buildings.

      (1 vote)

Gothic architecture: an introduction (article) | Khan Academy (2024)

FAQs

Is there Gothic architecture in Spain? ›

Spain's Gothic period, which was most prevalent during the 12th and 13th centuries, produced several notable works of historic architecture. The most famous of which include the Burgos Cathedral, the Leon Cathedral, the Seville Cathedral, and the Cathedral of Girona.

Is Gothic architecture medieval? ›

The gothic style of architecture originated in Europe's Middle Ages. It is characterized by vertical proportions, pointed arches, external buttressing, and asymmetry.

What are the elements of Gothic architecture? ›

The main characteristics of Gothic architecture include pointed arches, stained-glass windows, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and spires.

Who are the people in Gothic architecture? ›

Gothic architecture was named for the Goths, a nomadic Germanic group that fought against Roman rule in the late 300s and early 400s. Their ascent is widely believed to have marked the beginning of the medieval period across Europe.

What country has the most Gothic architecture? ›

What country has the most Gothic architecture? Definitely France. The style originated in France in the Ile de France region around Paris and spread across Western Europe from there.

Is there Gothic architecture in Italy? ›

A number of major Italian Gothic buildings were begun in the late 13th century and completed in the 14th. Florence Cathedral, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, was begun in 1296. It is not exceptionally high, but the interior has a sense of spaciousness created by the merger of the nave and the aisles.

Who invented Gothic architecture? ›

They denounced this type of art as unrefined and ugly and attributed it to the Gothic tribes which had destroyed the Roman Empire and its classical culture in the 5th century AD. Abbot Suger (about 1081 – 1151) is widely credited with popularising Gothic architecture.

Why is Gothic architecture so beautiful? ›

Gothic cathedrals are some of the most recognizable and magnificent architectural feats. With soaring towers and softly filtered light streaming through stained glass windows, everything about the Gothic cathedral is transportive and ethereal, lifting the gaze of the viewer towards the heavens.

What religion is Gothic architecture? ›

Common examples are found in Christian ecclesiastical architecture, and Gothic cathedrals and churches, as well as abbeys, and parish churches. It is also the architecture of many castles, palaces, town halls, guildhalls, universities and, less prominently today, private dwellings.

Why is it called Gothic? ›

The term Gothic was coined by classicizing Italian writers of the Renaissance, who attributed the invention (and what to them was the nonclassical ugliness) of medieval architecture to the barbarian Gothic tribes that had destroyed the Roman Empire and its classical culture in the 5th century ce.

What came before Gothic architecture? ›

The Gothic style was an evolution from Romanesque, which was marked by its many arches, vaulted ceilings and smaller stained glass windows. The Gothic style took these features and exaggerated them, increasing the scale of arches and the magnitude of the windows.

What style of architecture does Spain have? ›

Romanesque Spanish architecture developed in Spain next. This period was characterized by basic architecture with symmetrical constructions, thick bulky walls, round arches, functional columns, large round towers, and sturdy piers in the interior.

Does Barcelona have Gothic architecture? ›

Visitors of all ages are drawn to Barcelona's Gothic Quarter for its unique mix of intricate architectural features, historic buildings and entertainment destinations. Visitors often spend between 1 and 3 hours in the Gothic Quarter, with many incorporating tours, museums and dining into their visit.

Why is Barcelona so Gothic? ›

It's often said that Barcelona's true history began right where the Gothic Quarter stands today because this is where the Romans laid claim to the land and built their first settlement, which was fortified by the addition of a thick wall that rose up to a full 60 feet and boasted 78 towers.

What is the famous Gothic church in Spain? ›

The grandiose Cathedral of Santiago is one of the most famous churches in Spain for its extraordinary Basque gothic architecture. Built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, this Casco Viejo (old town) landmark is the oldest church in Bilbao and demonstrates a Latin-cross floor plan with three beautiful naves.

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