Gothic architecture qualifies as one of the oldest and unique styles that is conspicuous. Gothic architecture is made up of several distinguishing characteristics. Numerous early churches were made using this architecture throughout the European continent. Notably, these churches can be found in France, Britain, Italy, Germany, and Normandy with these light and colorful structures that can be noted from a distance. Most of the structures made from this architectural style have wide and expansive space like that of the Egyptian pyramids. Most of these wide spaces are well-light-filled. The structures have high-vaulted ceilings that are combined with buttress to give strong support on the wall surfaces. The walls have meticulous glasses that are stained. Well, the Gothic style of architecture used a distinctive choice of material for making the structures. Limestone was emphasized and used widely in France. While Britain used red sandstones that were mixed in different rations with limestone with a few marble stones, Germany preferred bricks. These and more materials made structures that depicted ribbed vaults that had buttresses which made the buildings hold up trapezoidal shapes. Wheel windows were colored with clever mosaic and ceramics. There are clustered columns and spires that merged well with pointed arches that gave the flexibility and beauty of the structure. A closer look at these buildings shows the solid masonry in the vents within metaphorical door tympanums that were made extraordinarily strong and high above.
Gothic architecture can be traced back to Romanesque architecture. This term is used to denote the structures that were made during the 12th century. This style originated from France and spread across Europe like a bush fire. This style was also called the “French Style” which was highly used between the 12th and 16th centuries. This architectural style thrived during the middle and late periods of the medieval epoch. The predecessor of this style was renaissance fashion. This style was responsible for making many churches, king’s palaces, and numerous town halls, education facilities like universities, and guild halls that were either private or public. However, this style was then remodeled and revived during the 18th century in England and spread onwards up to the 21 century.
Gothic architecture does not have a direct allusion to the known historical Goths. This term was merely an uncomplimentary kind of description. Well, the term “Goth” has a German origin. The term is used to define those things that are barbaric, hooligan in nature, and vandal-like. The term “Gothic” was essentially used by Giorgio Vasari to describe a society with a rude and hooligan culture that lacked civilization that was evident in the renaissance period. However, the term “Gothic” is used to describe styles of masonry and architecture that assumed the religious nature of the medieval era.
The Cologne Cathedral is one of the Gothic Churches that have the characteristics of Gothic architecture. This church has a magnificent height that is absolute. The interior has a wide space left in the ceiling making it awesome to gape at the main body of the church. Proportionality is well mastered with the exterior towers and gargoyles with spires that a positioned at each buttress.
In the plan of these structures, different architectural terms were used. For example, there is a long transverse arm that architectures call “transept” with an extrapolated extension at the rear ends of the plan called “choir”. The nerve differs in different layouts, that is, some are double and others are single.