Cathedral Saint Denis . France. The first construction embracing the new Gothic style was erected in 1140 in Paris by Abbot Suger . The cathedral witnessed great historical events is became the main necropolis of kings and queens until 1773, during the French Revolution proceeded to the exhumation and desecration of royal tombs. General causes of this style, not only be sought on the need for larger churches because of the growth of cities and the number of its inhabitants, or the natural development of techniques of Romanesque architecture, but the need to translate the theological concept of light, prevailing of the time. So Abbot Suger , decisive figure in the formation of Gothic construction ordered his church in line with the ideas on the supremacy of the spiritual over the material, the light as an essential element of the divine symbolism. Consequently, the Gothic architects formally accounted the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Heavenly City or New Jerusalem contained in the Apocalypse of St. John. This worldview is said the construction of cathedrals high with large windows and full of light. Thus the shape of a Gothic cathedral reflects the concept of the church triumphant, the New Jerusalem, where the material is integrated with the divine light, which is regarded more as an architectural element.
"... The new cathedrals provided the faithful a reflection of another world. Anthems have heard and sermons of the heavenly Jerusalem, with its gates of pearl, jewelry priceless, its streets of pure gold and clear glass (Revelation 21). Now, that vision came down from heaven to earth. The walls of these buildings were not cold and closed. They were made of stained glass that glowed like a precious stone. The pillars, which enhanced nerves and gold tracery. Faithful was delivered to the contemplation of all this beauty feel that he had almost come to understand the mysteries of a kingdom beyond the scope of the matter ... "(" History of Art "EH Gombrich , p.189).
In conclusion, we can say that the Gothic cathedral, not only reflects the vitality of cities, wealth and prestige of their bishops, but also and especially the faith of that time. Indeed, the ideal of the Gothic architects was to express in stone and glass mystical conception of the Church Triumphant, so that all believers waiting for the New Jerusalem, a city of unimaginable beauty as for the household of God, built gold, pearls and precious stones, the abode of angels and righteous souls, here on Earth could enjoy a similar view.
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Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris . (1163. 1245). Building started in the year 1163 by Bishop Maurice of Sully . The towers are 69 m. High and later served as a model for Gothic churches. The south tower houses the bell Emmanuel, which can visit from the famous gallery of chimeras and gargoyles. The photo can be seen the magnificent buttresses. The cathedral is the protagonist the famous novel by Victor Hugo "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." FEATURES:
Although in principle the shape of Gothic cathedrals is unmistakable, define the characteristics of style, no easy task. However, there are three main elements that give its unique gothic architecture personality: The Gothic arch or the dome flying buttresses and ribbed, these three elements the Gothic architects revolutionized medieval construction.
Cathedral Chartres (France). It began its construction in 1194 and was completed in just 30 years. century stained glass XII represent the largest collection of the world, measuring a total of 2,499 mts . 1 .- arch. The bow is
constructive element in a curved bridges the gap between two pillars or walls, is formed by wedges of stones, called segments which are placed in a radial and in the case of the pointed arch, typical of Gothic two curve segments intersect at the top or key, creating an acute angle. "... The arch is considered one of the three distinctive elements of Gothic architecture , along with the vault and the flying buttress ..."
( http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arco_apuntado )
The use of the pointed arch or ogive is without doubt one of the most emblematic characteristic of Gothic architecture, is slimmer and lighter than the arch, characteristic of Romanesque architecture with its vertical achieved reduce lateral pressure and thus raise the height of buildings.
semicircular arches of the Romanesque were unsuitable to the Gothic architects, so that reinvents the pointed arch, previously known as the Muslim architecture. The pointed arch is used to build vaults, doors, windows and many decorative elements. Its advantage is that it could be more or less pointed in accordance with the requirements of the structure and in accordance with the height of buildings.
The use of the pointed arch has a dual role: 1 .- constructive, as it reduces lateral thrust enabling the development of lighter buildings and daring 2 .- plastic, because it gives the appearance buildings of vertical , projecting upward, typical Gothic style.
2 .- ribbed VAULT OR warheads.
A vault is a structure that serves to fill spaces. The roofing system made from Romanesque barrel vault or groin is replaced in the Gothic architecture very different from the other based on the use of warheads vault or ribbed .
"... We can define a groin vault (ie, geometrically generated by the perpendicular intersection of two barrel vaults, typical of the Romanesque) arches supported by two diagonal lines, the arches or warheads, which are cut in the key, in its final composition, the vault also consists of four pointed arches that fall, the two arch ribs arranged transversely to the axis of ship, and the two wall-arches arranged parallel to this axis. This set of arches, which are key to the same height, is the skeleton of the dome, the spaces between them are covered by four elements or panels formed by segments of stone. Each of the vaults Ribbed that lined up the shell of the ships of the buildings form a section of it ... "(" History of Art " Edt . Lafer . Volume 2, Page 192)
In summary we can say that the vault is formed by a
series of arcs that cross function structure, hence its name. The number of edges can vary, leading to the existence of various types of vaults: quadripartite , sexpartite , crosslinked, star, fan. The pressure of the vaults reflected in the arches and pillars that support them, so their enclosure need not be solid enough with a masonry coating close spaces. quadripartite vault .- formed by the junction of two arcs was used most pointed in the Gothic period.
Vault San Juan de Torum .- The shape and arrangement of arches or ribs can be varied and complex, reaching to take the Gothic Late intricate geometric designs, like the starry vault of San Juan.
By building a pressure vault is located on the pillars and thus the walls lose their support function, this leads to a much more light, which allowed the opening of large windows. church Saint - Denis , mid-century XII was first to use a vault with truly Gothic structure, as has been described.
All vault has a double thrust, one vertical y otro transversal. Para solucionar la presión vertical se continúan utilizando los soportes internos conformados por las columnas y pilares. Para contrarrestar el empuje transversal, sabemos que la arquitectura románica utilizaba los contrafuertes, pero a medida que se va desarrollando el estilo gótico, los arquitectos recurrieron a unos soportes externos mucho más atrevidos llamados arbotantes .
Los Arbotantes.- Son la clave para construir los edificios altos y livianos propios del gótico. El arbotante es una especie de puente macizo que sujeta las bóvedas de las naves internas de la catedral, transmitiendo el punto de presión the buttresses of the exterior, allowing architects to open more windows to the walls of the building.
The use of flying buttresses "... completely changed the skyline, in store look great never seen before and will not be repeated in the History of Art, consisting of the presence, around a central body vaulted naves, a set of diagonal and vertical lines around it define a volume of space ... "(Art History, Volume 2, Edt . Lafer . Page , 193)
Cathedral Bourges (buttresses) Indeed, the flying buttresses transmit lateral thrust vaults of buttresses, which, unlike the Roman, located far from the building's walls, they are free to open large windows decorated with stained glass multicolored, giving within a very bright and mystique .
The flyer was being used more frequently after century XII. Among the more innovative models are the Cathedral of Bourges , that of Chartres , of \u200b\u200b Amiens, Beauvais and Cologne. The buttresses also
also served to channel water from the rains, outfalls are decorated with figures of monstrous beings called gargoyles
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Gargoyles of Notre Dame de Paris These columns are increasing in numbers as it progresses on. At first, usually four or six in the isolated pillars. But then so are multiplying all the support shown as a bundle of cylinders which connect each to the arches or ribs of the dome.
The decomposition of the surface of the pillars in multiple columns plastic allowed to establish continuity between the ribs of the vaults and columns these , which highlighted the effect of verticality of the great cathedrals.
semicolumnillas Column , without capital of the collegiate Medina del Campo (Spain) The capitals. Gothic The capital lacks the religious and architectural significance it had during the Romanesque period.
is presented in a much more simple and stylized, they first performed
a conical drum-shaped foliage, later, as the Gothic develops, the capital is more small and delicate to disappear into a bundle of reeds which branches directly into the nerves of the mediate vault without solution of continuity in many cases (see photo above). century XIV figures and stories are allowed in the foliage but always with a lot more neatly than in the Romanesque Capital Ducal Palace, Venice, there are figurines in the foliage.
4 .- .- PLANT
Plant Cathedral Chartres, France are still using the same plants of the Romanesque churches, with the predominant the "Latin cross", but with significant modifications to the height and area. These usually have three ships, but you can find cathedral with five naves, the central nave being much higher than the side.
changes are experienced especially in the area of \u200b\u200bthe head, as the chapels, the apse and girolas semicircular no longer to be polygonal.
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windows of the cathedral of Saint Denis, Paris.
doors. The temple gates are usually placed in the hands and feet of the cross. It continues to flare but now Romanesque arches are pointed and archivolts multiply. The eardrums are still decorated. On the cover we find the rose window that gives light and color scheme inside the temple.
The reason most commonly used on the covers are sculptures of the apostles located in canopies between the columns . They share a sense of weightlessness, which resembles heavenly guests. Cistercian churches and other smaller lacked imagery on the cover and just had a large arch decorated with simple flared beaded or any plant or geometric ornamentation.
5 .- .-
LIFT Gothic architects were pleased at building lean, projected into the sky and breathtaking proportions. The pointed arches, flying buttresses and pillars decomposed into columns connected to the ribs of the vaults were the determinants of this effect of verticality. In addition, the ornamental elements emphasized verticality, such as pinnacles or arrows targeted with which crowned the buttresses and especially the needles, which were nothing but the tops of the towers or steeples.
The French managed to live up to its cathedrals, mainly from their vaults supported by flying buttresses, while the Germans and English in a real rivalry to reach the sky created needles.
Notre Dame. Construction began in the year 1163 and was completed in 1270. What is most striking from the cathedral's west facade, with its twin towers that served as models for many gothic churches. Sues horizontal and vertical structural lines converge in the rosette, the covers are richly decorated with superb sculptures. It is the most famous church in France and perhaps the world, the protagonist of the novel by Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. "
Ulm Cathedral. is the tallest spire of the Cathedral of Ulm, Germany. Although the cathedral began construction in 1380 its spire of 160 feet - the summit of ambition Gothic - was completed after the projected five centuries, the cathedral is Cologne, with two needles of 150 meters. Outside Germany, the tallest spire is held Salisbury Cathedral 123 meters.
6 .- THE LIGHT.
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Interior of the Cathedral of Saint Denis (France)
tend to close windows and ceiling windows with magnificent polychrome that take the place of the monumental painting of the Romanesque period, which tends to disappear the lack of walls in Gothic buildings. Like painting and sculpture Romanesque, the Gothic windows served a didactic function and played as true visual Bibles bearing the message of God to all people
"The images of stained glass are mainly for the humble people who can not read the word of God to show you in what to believe ... Abbot Suger ("History of Architecture". Jonanthan Glancey. p. .54)
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE CIVIL
The development of urban life from the ages XI and XII , the political power of the great European royal dynasties and some aristocratic families and the emergence of bourgeoisie favored the development of a rich and varied secular architecture.
The powerful rise of urban and commercial life materialized mainly in Flanders, northern France, England, Germany, northern Italy and Catalonia , places where they built a wide range of civic buildings such as palaces, town halls , corporate houses, hospitals, etc. ..
both civil architecture in the military and without distinguishing between public and private buildings, were used in building and decorative formulas similar to those of the great religious buildings, arches, decorative openwork tracery, pinnacles, etc.
Palazzo Vecchio (Florence) The term palace in the early centuries of the Middle Ages referred to the headquarters of the king or emperor, is extended to refer to public buildings residential sites lay and ecclesiastical princes, even the rich bourgeoisie. The same were a function of status symbol, is constructed to reflect the economic and social status of its owner. So beautiful houses were built as symbols of power of cities and wealth of its inhabitants, although the majority of the population, as yesterday, today and always, living in poor and unhealthy rooms.
most representative buildings were civilians COUNCILS, buildings or palaces HALLS public and for commercial purposes. The first floor used to have an open on the first floor is the municipal offices on upper floors and the apartments of the rulers of the city. The city councils of Florence, Venice, Siena, Montepulciano and Perugia in Italy are really impressive Perhaps the most iconic civic buildings are located in the Palazzo Ducale Piazza San Marco in Venice and the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence
Palazzo Ducale (Venice)
The auctions or palaces of the new commercial aristocracy were structured in flats superimposed on the ground floor were made of commercial activities and on the upper floors were housing. Among the finest Gothic buildings in commercial use, we have the cloth markets of Ypres and Bruges, both in Belgium, easy to understand, if we the cloth trade was the largest economic activity in the Netherlands.
Ypres. or Lakenhalle Cloth Hall
In turn, the English nobility built stone houses with courtyards, although they were very austere, had a wonderful decoration such as the Casa de las Conchas Salamanca.
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La Casa de las Conchas .- Wood Construction .-
Despite assertions In some countries like Norway and Sweden, covered with forests, the rule was amended and magnificent cathedrals were built of wood. The most famous and best preserved is the Cathedral of Borgund in Sogne Fjord Norway, built in 1150, it is unlike any other Christian churches in the world and worried so much as a Viking ship. Further, the church of Urnes (Norway), Lund (Sweden)
inte-Chapelle is considered one of the best Gothic representations of the Western world. Its construction began in 1248 on the Isle de la Cité in order of San Luis. Which it spent to host the crown of thorns and a part of the cross Cristo.La Sainte Chapelle is divided into two parts: the chapel floor (or less) dedicated to the Virgin and they could access the local people. The upper chapel (or higher) was reserved for royalty and she removed the large glass wall for representing religious scenes divided by thin columnas.En in 1862 was considered a National Historic Monument of France. 
Amiens.-Cathedral Construction began circa 1220, this cathedral with a dome height of 42.30 m. and an internal length of 133.50 m. is the largest religious building in France and one of the most beautiful because of the Gothic decor late has remained almost intact. On the west side include, besides the three richly decorated doorways, the unique harmony and beauty of its numerous figures. 
Avignon. Papal Palace-The city of Avignon was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377, once the seat returned to Rome by the intervention of St. Catherine of Siena was the Great Schism and anti-popes Clement VII and Benedict XIII continued to live in Avignon. Papal Palace is the largest Gothic buildings of the Middle Ages, has 15,164 m2. overlooking the Rhone river and was decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovadetti, among others. Part of the 10 most visited monuments in France.
.- English Gothic style In Early Inglés or have as the first Gothic cathedrals models to Canterbury and Salisbury. In the Perpendicular Gothic , Gothic features are fully developed and is characterized by fan vaults and by Tudor arch, such as Westminster Abbey and the University of Oxford and Cambridge.
.- Salisbury Cathedral was built during the 1220s to 1258, belongs to the style called Early Inglés. This cathedral is not only has the highest tower in England, 123 meters, but is the only built entirely in the same style. The architect Elias de Derham took the unusual circumstance of the green, flat meadow to create a symmetrical plant and clear. The Lady Chapel or Chapel of Santa Maria conveys a sense of elegance and distinction that can be described as one of the most beautiful early English Gothic.
GERMANY .- The most perfect in German is the Gothic cathedral of Cologne and the highest is the cathedral of Ulm. We also have the Strasbourg Cathedral and a magnificent example of Gothic architecture and civil engineering: the door of Lubeck.
Colonia. Cathedral "The Cathedral of San Pedro and Maria is one of the most famous churches in Europe, was built between 1248 and 1880. Although architectural modes and styles evolved during the long construction period, the appearance of the largest Gothic church in Christendom was so powerful that only the original plans were modified. The avalanche of people who received daily in this church shows that his vision remains as impressive as before.
Holsten Gate .- The city of Lubeck, is located on the banks of the river Trave and has the largest port on the Baltic Sea. Maritime trade imposed on the city and became the economic capital of the Hanseatic League. The old built in Gothic brick was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The door with two towers dating from the sixteenth century and is the emblem of Lubeck, not only synonymous with the city's physical strength but also the pride of the ancient queen of the Hanseatic League .
BELGIUM AND HOLLAND .- The great economic prosperity in the Netherlands explains the richness of its flamboyant Gothic architecture. Not only stands out for religious architecture but also for the civil, which was made possible by a rich bourgeoisie. Wonderful examples are the towns of Leuven, Bruges, Brusellas and guild houses or Halle des Drapiers slices of Ypres and Ghent spring herbs.
City Leuven .- The magnificent town hall is a gem of late Gothic Brabantine. The first stone dates from 1439 and was placed by the architect Van der Vorst Sulpice, after his death continued to Layens Mathijs Keldermans and finished it. The sleek lines are accentuated by the proportion of the facade. The vertical movement, so typical of Gothic is reinforced by corner towers. Is adorned with 236 statues made in the nineteenth century.
ITALY .- Gothic architectural language used in the rest of Europe, succeeding only in Italy. Often reject the technical and aesthetic innovations the new style. There is a tendency to see the horizon and moderate luminosity due to the discretion of the windows and glass doors. The towers and steeples are separated from the main building and the exterior walls have polychrome and its interior walls are beautifully decorated with frescoes. Examples are Siena's cathedral, the churches of Santa Cruz and Santa Maria Novella in Florence. Deserves special attention Giotto bell tower in Florence. Regarding the civil architecture also have the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Palazzo Ducale in Venice and the Palace of Siena .
.- Siena Cathedral is a church without buttresses charged with front articulated horizontal base line along the wall. The strength of the Italian Gothic arch can be seen in the arches used in the three gates of the western facade are semicircular, but crowned with Gothic gables. Also are semicircular arches inside. The polychrome façade above wearing a rose window framed in a square.
.- Giotto bell tower, which began in 1337 and Giotto finished Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti, is a solid structure of about 85 m. The imposing tower is elegant and harmonious through the windows, which have one or two columns. The tower is completely covered with marble white, green and pink. The base is divided into two zones: one with panels and bas-reliefs representing the Arts and Humanities Works by Andrea Pisano and Luca della Robbia and the other part is decorated with niches with statues (now, many originals are the "Museo dell ' Opera del Duomo "), devoted to the sacraments, the virtues and liberal arts. It is possible to climb the bell tower, from where it is a magnificent panorama of Florence. SPAIN .- are examples of English Gothic cathedrals of Burgos, León and Toledo. The thirteenth century represents the peak English Gothic and built the purest manifestations of the style. During the XV and XVI, while in Italy developed the Renaissance, in Spain the Gothic activity is overwhelming.
.- Catedral de Toledo (1226-1465) As usual in most cathedrals, it also worked for generations. The master architects came from Flanders, France and of course the Muslim world. The Arab influence in Spain, which is designated a "Mudejar" is seen for example in the abstract and small ornaments that cover large areas.
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