Unlike rounded Romanesque arches, pointed ones directed weight more vertically, allowing for much taller and narrower structures.
Gothic architecture revolutionized construction by moving structural weight from walls to a skeleton of stone: Gothic cathedrals : a guide to the history, pla...
Focused on reaching extreme heights and maximizing window space. The "Rayonnant" (radiant) style is defined by the two-story walls of stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle and the massive scale of Chartres Cathedral . Late Gothic: Flamboyant & Perpendicular (c. 1350–1550): Late Gothic: Flamboyant & Perpendicular (c
Introduced the foundational trio of the pointed arch, rib vault, and flying buttress. Key examples include the Basilica of Saint-Denis and Sens Cathedral , the first true Gothic cathedral in France. These external stone arches braced the upper walls
These external stone arches braced the upper walls against the outward thrust of the heavy roof, allowing architects to replace solid stone walls with vast expanses of glass.
Emphasized vertical lines and "fan vaults," as seen in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. The Architectural "Trinity" of Features
The Gothic era is traditionally divided into three distinct phases, each marked by increasing decorative complexity and structural daring: