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

Want to join the conversation?

Log in

  • 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)

    • Magistra H

      9 years agoPosted 9 years ago. Direct link to Magistra H's post “You're correct; they prob...”

      You're correct; they probably just didn't get to it because the video is only an introduction.

  • 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

What are the main points of Gothic architecture? ›

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

How did Suger change the ambulatory at St. Denis? ›

Suger's great innovation in the new choir was the replacement of the heavy dividing walls in the apse and ambulatory with slender columns, so that the interior of that part of the church was filled with light.

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.

Why is Gothic architecture so cool? ›

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 influenced Gothic architecture? ›

The architecture that informed the Gothic period drew upon a number of influences, including Romanesque, Byzantine, and Middle Eastern.

What are the 3 main structural features introduced in Gothic architecture? ›

To create all of these beautiful characteristics, Gothic architecture relied on three features: pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses. None of them were completely new innovations, but they had never before been regularly used together and developed to their full potential.

How did Saint-Denis lose his head? ›

Gregory of Tours states that Denis was bishop of the Parisii and was martyred by being beheaded by a sword. The earliest document giving an account of his life and martyrdom, the "Passio SS. Dionysii Rustici et Eleutherii", dates from c.

Why is St. Denis important to the Gothic style? ›

Basilica of Saint Denis - Facts

The Basilica is considered the birthplace of Gothic architecture, as it was one of the first buildings to incorporate significant Gothic elements. It is the final resting place of French kings and queens, including famous figures such as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Who had the first Gothic church built? ›

Abbot Suger and St Denis Basilica. The Gothic style first appeared in France in the mid-12th century in an Abbey, St Denis Basilica, built by Abbot Suger (1081–1151).

Is Gothic architecture religious? ›

The gothic may be a gamut of disparate architectural styles, but what ties it together is its sacred purpose. The majority of gothic buildings that have survived were built to the glory of God.

Where is the birthplace of Gothic architecture? ›

It originated in the Île-de-France and Picardy regions of northern France. The style at the time was sometimes known as opus Francigenum ( lit. 'French work'); the term Gothic was first applied contemptuously during the later Renaissance, by those ambitious to revive the architecture of classical antiquity.

Is Gothic architecture still being built? ›

Modern-day churches are still being constructed in the original Gothic architectural style, and residential homes have quite a lot of influence on them.

Why did Gothic architecture end? ›

In Europe, the era of gothic architecture came to an end with the Renaissance. Tastes changed in favor of a return to the more symmetrical and balanced classical Roman architecture.

Why was Gothic architecture tall? ›

In its conception, gothic churches were meant to stretch into the sky, soaring up into the heavens. Tall towers, elongated finials, and intricate spires are just some of the mechanisms used to create this angelic ascension.

How did Gothic architecture get its name? ›

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.

Which is a major characteristic of the Gothic style of architecture? ›

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 key features of the Gothic genre? ›

Characteristics of the Gothic include: death and decay, haunted homes/castles, family curses, madness, powerful love/romance, ghosts, and vampires. The genre is said to have become popular in the late 18th century with the publication of Horace Walpole's novel The Castle of Otranto in 1764.

What are the key features of Gothic revival architecture? ›

The most commonly identifiable feature of the Gothic Revival style is the pointed arch, used for windows, doors, and decorative elements like porches, dormers, or roof gables. Other characteristic details include steeply pitched roofs and front facing gables with delicate wooden trim called vergeboards or bargeboards.

What does Gothic architecture symbolize? ›

The gothic may be a gamut of disparate architectural styles, but what ties it together is its sacred purpose. The majority of gothic buildings that have survived were built to the glory of God.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kerri Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5916

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kerri Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1992-10-31

Address: Suite 878 3699 Chantelle Roads, Colebury, NC 68599

Phone: +6111989609516

Job: Chief Farming Manager

Hobby: Mycology, Stone skipping, Dowsing, Whittling, Taxidermy, Sand art, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.