Gothic

Gothic is a medieval architectural style that emerged in France in the 12th century, characterized by pointed arches, flying buttresses, and colorful stained glass windows.

Gothic style, which emerged in the mid-12th century in the Île-de-France region, developed from Romanesque architecture and dominated Europe until the 16th century. One of the earliest manifestations of Gothic architecture is the Basilica of Saint-Denis, constructed under the guidance of Abbot Suger. This style is characterized by the use of pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, which allow for taller structures and thinner walls pierced with large stained glass windows.

Gothic cathedrals, such as Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres, and Reims, are iconic examples of this style. Decorative elements include gargoyles, pinnacles, and rose windows. Gothic architecture can be subdivided into several phases: Early Gothic, High Gothic, Rayonnant Gothic, and Flamboyant Gothic, each with its own distinct characteristics.

Gothic influence extended to other art forms, such as sculpture, painting, and illuminated manuscripts. Outside France, this style spread throughout Europe, with notable regional variations in England (English Gothic), Germany (German Gothic), and Spain (Spanish Gothic).

The modern rediscovery of Gothic inspired the 19th-century Gothic Revival movement, which sought to revive the forms and aesthetic principles of medieval Gothic architecture in contemporary designs.