Unlike rounded Romanesque arches, pointed ones directed weight more vertically, allowing for much taller and narrower structures.
Intersecting stone ribs supported the ceiling's weight, which meant the panels between them could be thinner and the overall roof much lighter.
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. 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):
Gothic architecture revolutionized construction by moving structural weight from walls to a skeleton of stone: Focused on reaching extreme heights and maximizing window
Emphasized vertical lines and "fan vaults," as seen in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. The Architectural "Trinity" of Features
Known for flame-like, undulating stone tracery, seen at Rouen Cathedral . undulating stone tracery
The Gothic era is traditionally divided into three distinct phases, each marked by increasing decorative complexity and structural daring: