Gothic Architecture Tour Around the World by Ava Jensen

The Cologne Cathedral

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:15:28 UTC

This structure is the largest Gothic cathedral in all of Northern Europe. During WW2 it took some damage from bombing. However, it remained largely in tact and underwent repair processes. The Cologne Cathedral represents the strength of the Catholic Church during the medieval era and all the way into modern times. The complete devotion Christians must have had to build a 157 meter tall cathedral shows how powerful religion was at the time.

Sources:

https://interestingengineering.com/culture/the-39-greatest-constructions-of-gothic-architecture-in-the-world

Duomo di Milano

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:17:31 UTC

The Duomo di Milano stands 45 meters high and consists of 5 naves. The construction of this cathedral aimed to celebrate the territorial expansion of Italy. Construction was in action over the course of 5 centuries with different architects, sculptures, and designers each making a contribution. In 1389 the French architect Nicolas de Bonaventure gave the cathedral it's Gothic look. In 1774 the Italian artist, Giuseppe Perego, created a golden statue called the Madonnina that fits at the very top of the cathedral. The Madonnina became a distinctive symbol to the people of Milan.

Sources:

https://www.milan-museum.com/duomo-milan-cathedral.php#:~:text=A%20little%20history%20of%20the,by%20a%20fire%20in%201075.

Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:22:50 UTC

The Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis was built on top of the tomb of Saint-Denis who was a missionary bishop around 250 BC. The cathedral was an architectural and artistic innovation during the 12th century. The construction was advised under Abbot Sugar who was an advisor to Louis VI and Louis VII. The structure is covered in light thanks to the extensive designs of stained glass windows lining the walls. This church was one of the first to incorporate true Gothic style. Like many other Gothic cathedrals, it has persevered through dark times. During the years after the French revolution it was left unused and turned into a theater and warehouse for wheat and flour. However, when Napoleon rose to power he ordered for the church to be restored back to it's original purpose of practicing Christian faith.

Sources:

https://www.saint-denis-basilique.fr/en/discover/history-of-the-monument#:~:text=In%20the%2012th%20century%2C%20the,such%20as%20the%20ribbed%20vaults.

Salisbury Cathedral

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:28:27 UTC

The Salisbury Church holds many incredible legacies as it houses the best surviving copy of the Magna Carta. The spire, which was added to the structure in 1320, is the largest in Britain. It also holds the oldest working clock in all of Europe. It has some of the oldest and largest Choir stalls. The church was truly a masterful innovation then and even now. The techniques in which light is let in through the church transformed architecture in early Britain. Over time, the church has undergone restorations. Architects such as James Wyatt tried to turn the building into a more contemporary sight. As a result, the church lost some of it's original Gothic art and furnishings.

Sources:

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/gothic-art/gothic-art-england/a/salisbury-cathedral

The Duomo

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:29:13 UTC

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or better known as The Duomo, underwent construction for 72 years. It is the largest brick and mortar dome in the world. The cathedral represents the cultural and architectural innovations that kicked off the Renaissance. During the medieval time in which the Duomo was first constructed, building a dome that size was thought to be impossible. While similar dome structures like the Pantheon had been previously made, the knowledge of how to construct them was completely lost. The genius who figured out a new dome construction method was Brunelleschi. The architect started out as a goldsmith who gained many skills beyond mathematics such as drawing and carving. He later worked with Lorenzo Ghiberti who he did not particularly like and the dome has been standing strong ever since. People from all over the world come to Florence just to lay their eyes on not only the spectacular exterior of the church but also the breathtaking artwork that lines the walls and ceilings. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is truly an astonishing sight and lay the groundwork for future renaissance and gothic style structures.

Sources:

https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/art-culture/7-things-didnt-know-incredible-florence-duomo#A_brief_history_of_the_Florence_Duomo

Saint Vitus Cathedral, Czechia

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:31:01 UTC

The Saint Vitus Cathedral was build on the place where the first church in Prague was build. The church was designed by Wenceslas I, the Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century and it was destroyed by Prince Spytihnev one hundred years later. The church was later replaced with a Basilica but it soon turned into a much larger Gothic-style Cathedral. The project was first promoted by King John of Luxemburg and then King Charles IV. The French architect Matthias of Arras was assigned to design the cathedral and took inspiration from classical French cathedrals. German architect Petr Parler picked up the project after Matthias's death. Parler wanted to create an original structure that was unlike anything that was done before. Parler introduced new gothic styles in his designs that would later be inspiration for other gothic structures. Unfortunately the construction of the cathedral had to be put on pause as war came to be. Some architects tried to complete the cathedral but none were successful until the early 20th century when an architectural union finally finished it off.

Sources

http://www.prague.net/st-vitus-cathedral-history

Mir Castle, Belarus

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:31:55 UTC

The Mir Castle was first built in gothic style by architect, Duke Llinich. It originally served as a defence structure against attack. It continued construction throughout the Renaissance and Baroque periods under the direction of architect, Mikolay Radziwil. It was left abandoned for close to a century and underwent many severities during the Napoleonic era. It finally resumed construction in the late 19th century and many new additions such as a park and garden were implemented. Mir Castle is now open to the public as a World Culture and Heritage site through UNESCO. It is considered to be one of the most impressive castles in Europe as it combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Sources:

https://www.belarus.by/en/travel/belarus-life/mir-castle#:~:text=In%202000%20UNESCO%20designated%20Mir,the%20public%20in%20December%202010.

Zvolen Castle, Slovakia

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:32:56 UTC

The Zvolen castle was first build under the rule of King Louis I of Hungary in 1360. The castle resides on the bank of the Slatina river and it is an important landmark to the people of Zvolen. Originally, the castle was built as a hunting lodge and villa for Hungarian kings. It was designed and built under the influence of Gothic style Italian manor houses. During the mid 16th century the castle became fortified and two stories were added. An army of soldiers stood strong at the base. Finally, in the 18th century the castle was reconstructed and given a Baroque appearance. The castle is now a historic monument that holds many Gothic art galleries. Festivals that celebrate the town and the legacy of the castle are also held yearly.

Sources:

https://slovakia.travel/en/zvolen-castle

St. Mary's Church, Stargard, Poland

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:33:33 UTC

The church in Stargard known formally as the Collegiate Church of Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of the World is a staple monument in Poland. Little is known about the origin of the church but it is speculated that the church started out as a simple temple to practice faith. But as the town of Skargard began to expand, the church had to as well. A large and towerless building was constructed and likely under the influence of the powerful Kolobrzeg collegiate church. As the late 15th century approached, competition to make the best and most extravagant church motivated Stargard to update their church. This resulted in many additions being made to the church including two towers (one tower never had been finished). It now resembles a traditional Gothic basilica rather than a moderately decorated temple. Unfortunately a fire in the 17th century damaged much of the church. Reconstruction began and it brought in baroque style additions. The church stands today as a Gothic and Baroque style structure. The influence of Gothic style architecture traveled all over the world, Poland being just one destination.

Sources:

https://medievalheritage.eu/en/main-page/heritage/poland/stargard-szczecinski-collegiate/

Rector's Palace, Croatia

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:34:46 UTC

This palace was originally built for the rector who ruled over Dubrovnik. The palace is so old that it dates all the way back to a time when Dubrovnik was the centre of a republic called "Ragusa". This palace represents secularism as it has no religious undertones or purposes within it's design. It started out small and modest. As time went on, it became a large extravagant palace. However a fire stormed through Dubrovnik in the 15th century and it was completely destroyed. The palace immediately underwent reconstruction and it turned into an even more extravagant two story Gothic building. Throughout the centuries the palace served as many different purposes. It was the home and workplace of the rector, a prison, held many administrative offices, and it is now open to the public. Currently, the palace serves as a history museum of the old republics and royal families that occupied Dubrovnik during previous centuries.

Sources:

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/the-rectors-palace/

Roskilde Cathedral, Denmark

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:36:50 UTC

The Roskilde Cathedral was significant to it's time because it was the very first Scandinavian Gothic cathedral built out of brick. It helped progress the Gothic style throughout Northern Europe. The cathedral has served as a burial sighting for Denmark's royalty since the 10th century. The cathedral was built during the Romanesque period and designs for the church were more traditional. But plans were quickly changed when Gothic style became increasingly popular. Throughout the centuries, many additions to the church have been made such as porches and chapels. This one structure is a timeline of how European architecture has developed throughout the centuries, starting off Romanesque and ending in Gothic-Baroque. The cathedral is still being used today by Danish royalty for burials. The cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.

Sources:

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/695/

Bath Abbey, UK

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:37:44 UTC

Since 757 AD, Bath Abbey has been a place of worship for the Catholic religion. The sight includes 3 different churches. In 973 AD a monastery was formed which served as the place in which all future kings and queen would have their coronations. However, in the 11th century the monastery was replaced by a a cathedral. This cathedral burned down in the 15th century and the structures that remain today were not completed until 1616. The process of building Bath Abbey took a total of 120 years. Bath Abbey showcases many features that represent the royalty that occupied the sight. But the sight holds burials of people all over the world, not just British royalty. Bath Abbey not only has extravagant exerial components but the interior artwork such as the stained glass windows are spectacular. The windows tell religious stories, especially the story of Jesus. The stained glass windows are an example of how religion played a major role in Gothic style art. The windows were meant to create dramatic, emotional, and somewhat dark depictions and scenes from the Bible. Today, Bath Abbey is open to the public for viewing and tours.

Sources

https://butcombe.com/the-northey-arms-wiltshire/attractions/bath-abbey/#:~:text=History%20Of%20Bath%20Abbey,was%20crowned%20in%20973%20AD.

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York, NY

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:46:14 UTC

St. John's Cathedral is an Episcopalian church. It was originally built to outshine St. Patrick's Cathedral that was built not long before. Competition to build the best and most extravagant cathedral was a hot topic during the 19th century Gothic Revival. The architectural firms of George Heins & Christopher Lafarge were assigned to design this cathedral for the local New York competition. The architects took inspiration from Medieval era Gothic structures but also added a romanesque touch to their design. Large round arches, tall pointed spires, and richly decorated walls represent the combination of Gothic and Romanesque styles. The location at which the church stands is one of the highest points in the region. This choice was intentional as it allows the church to tower over the island and the city below would have a clear view looking up at it. However, once construction began, problems immediately started occurring. Because of the soft material that was discovered to be the ground that the church would stand on, the church faced away from the city and a grand onlook from the south was eliminated. Other problems such as expensive costs and the death of George Heins stood in the way of the cathedral's completion. Today, it still stands in all of it's unfinished glory.

Sources:

https://citybeautifulblog.com/2022/01/25/st-john-the-divine-the-cathedral-that-was-never-finished/

Tribune Tower, Chicago, IL

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:47:23 UTC

The Tribune Tower was designed and built for the the Chicago Tribune's One Hundred Thousand Dollar Architectural Competition. The competition occurred right around the newspaper's 74th anniversary. The purpose of this massive building project was to commemorate Chicago's fantastic innovation and achievements as well as create the most beautiful and extravagant office building in the world. Many entries were evaluated during the competition but two architects from New York, John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood were the winners. Since the tower's completion in 1925, many additions have been made to make the tower more and more elaborate. The tower stands today, resilient to any obstacles that might come it's way. The Tribune tower is a staple landmark in Chicago's history and continues to inspire hard work from everyone in it's presence.

Sources:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Historic_Preservation/Publications/Tribune_Tower.pdf

Grace Cathedral, CA

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:48:15 UTC

Located in the city of San Francisco, The Grace Cathedral started out as a small Chapel during the 1849 Gold Rush. The church was largely Episcopal and it gained popularity as notable figures such as Mark Twain paid visits. Unfortunately, the cathedral burned down during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. It remained as a ruin for months until the wealthy William H. Crockers family offered their land to the building of a new cathedral. Architect Lewis Hobart was assigned to redesign the cathedral. The project began in 1927 and the official Chapel of Grace opened in 1930. However, due to the Great Depression, further work on the cathedral was put on pause. In 1956 construction resumed and a school was opened. Later in the 1960s, the cathedral became consecrated and beloved idols such as Martin Luther King Jr. visited the sight. The Grace Cathedral became a lively and vibrant place and it still stands today, hosting galleries and advocating for social justice.

Sources:

https://gracecathedral.org/history/#:~:text=The%20present%20cathedral%20was%20begun,social%20justice%20at%20the%20time.

Victoria Memorial, IN

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:52:04 UTC

This memorial was built to commemorate the late Queen Victoria of britain after her death in 1901. The project was first in the hands of Lord Curzon and he assigned British architect, William Emerson to design the building. During this time, India was still under British rule and as a result, much of the architecture resembles European styles. However, some elements of this building stay true to it's home in India. The marble that was used in this memorial comes from the same quarries that were used for the building of the Taj Mahal. The domes on the sides of the building are also native to Mughal style. Other than Queen Victoria, King Edward VII is also commemorated in an archway. Inside of the memorial there are paintings, sculpter, and artifacts all reflecting the power of the British empire. The Victoria Memorial is a brilliant blend of both European Gothic styles and Mughal Indian style.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/place/Victoria-Memorial-Kolkata

Graaff-Reinet, South Africa

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:55:40 UTC

The Dutch reformed church in Graaf-Reinet has taken many forms over the centuries. In 1792 the first church was built but quickly became destroyed in 1799. One year later during the turn of the century, a second church was built in replacement. However, this second church did not live for long. In 1822 the important Reverend Andrew Murray came to town and the people did not believe this second church would satisfy him. As a result the second church was demolished and a third one took it's place. This third church was quite extravagant with a thatched roof, clock tower, and an encircling wall. This church stood strong for 60 years and in 1887, a fourth and final church began construction. This church represented the Gothic-revival movement that was occurring throughout Europe and found it's way into a South African Dutch settlement. The design of this church was heavily inspired by the Salisbury Cathedral in England. A unique feature of this church is it's chimney at the top of the steeple.

Sources:

https://www.graaffreinet.co.za/listing/dutch_reformed_church_ng_graaff_reinet

Castelul Corvinilor, Romania

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 21:57:00 UTC

The Corvin Castle (also known as the Hunyadi Castle) is one of the largest and most well-known castles in all of Europe. It is a staple monument in Romania. The castle is also an iconic piece of Gothic history as it encompasses the tall arches, pointed spires, and dramatic designs. The Corvin Family, who had a profound impact on 15th century Europe, ordered for the construction of this castle. Corvin family member John Hunyadi famously prevented the Ottoman empire from conquering part of Serbia. Because of their great legacy of resisting external forces from invasion, the Corvin Family built the castle as a defence fortress and prison. There is even a "Bear Pit" where prisoners would be put to death by wild animals. Many additions were made throughout the 17th century. Two towers were built for military purposes and the Large Palace was built to make the Castle more aesthetic. The castle is separated into three sections, all of which are decorated with marble walls. the castle stands strong today and it is beloved by the people of Romania. It truly represents the extensive history of Gothic style and the royal legacy of the Corvin family.

Sources:

https://rolandia.eu/en/blog/places/the-corvin-castle

Parliament Hill, Canada

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 22:03:53 UTC

Parliament Hill is the sight in which the Canadian Government gathers to make laws and policies for their citizens. In 1859 (Gothic Revival period) a competition was held for architects to submit their design for the 3 blocks that would later become Parliament Hill. Thomas Fuller and Chilion Jones took home the prize design for the Centre block. Thomas Stent and Augustus Laver held the prize designs for the East and West Blocks. Later that year, construction began. In 1867 Parliament Hill became the Government of the four Canadian Provinces. In 1870 the Langevin Block is added to Parliament Hill to make room for the new territories entering into Canada. Finally, in 1879 the Library of Parliament and the landscaped grounds were completed. Parliament Hill became extremely damaged due to a fire and underwent a long reconstruction process from 1916-1920. These buildings are still used as Canada's government meeting sight and they are considered one of the most extravagant and influential structures of the Gothic Revival period.

Sources:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/infrastructure-buildings/parliamentary-precinct/history.html

Petroff Road Palace Hotel, Russia

avabunny25 — 2023-12-06 22:07:43 UTC

The Petroff Road Palace Hotel was commissioned by Catherine the Great after her successful rule through the Russian-Turkish war. Catherine the Great wanted to celebrate this momentous victory so she asked for a grand Palace landmark inspired by the Gothic work of architect, Vasily Bazhenov. Bazhenov's apprentice Matvey Kazakov was assigned to design the structure. Kazakov made it clear that he was from German roots so inevitably, the palace had to include Gothic elements. It took this German architect only three years to design Catherine the Great's dream palace. In 1882, the palace became a great Russian masterpiece that represents the countrie's many victories throughout history. The bright and warm colors of the palace showcase a new spin on Baroque and Gothic Revival architecture. The Petroff Road Palace Hotel remained beloved by Catherine the Great and the people of Moscow, then and now.

Sources:

https://en.petroffpalacehotel.ru/history/the-russian-empire/