The most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world. Gothic style in the architecture of the Middle Ages. Architectural styles: Gothic style

Cologne Cathedral. Germany.

The Gothic style, sometimes called the artistic style, is the final stage in the development of the art of the Middle Ages in the countries of Central, Western and partly Eastern Europe. The term "Gothic" was introduced during the Renaissance as a derogatory designation for all the architectural art of the Middle Ages, which was considered truly "barbaric".

Cathedral of Las Lajas. Colombia.

The Gothic style is characterized by the features of a symbolic-allegorical type of thinking and the conventions of artistic language. The primacy of architecture and traditional types of buildings Gothic inherited from the Romanesque style. A special place in Gothic art was occupied by the cathedral, which was the highest example of architectural synthesis with painting and sculptural trends. The space of such a cathedral was incommensurable with a person – the verticals of its arches and towers, the subordination of sculptures to the dynamism of architectural rhythms and the multi-colored radiance of stained-glass windows had a captivating effect on the faithful.

The development of Gothic art also reflected key changes in the construction of medieval society - the beginning of the formation of centralized powers, the growth and strengthening of megacities, the advancement of the forces of the nobility, as well as court and knightly circles. Here, civil architecture and urban planning are intensively developed. The architectural ensembles of cities included secular and religious buildings, bridges, fortifications and wells. Often, the main square of the city was lined with houses with arcades, where the lower floors were occupied by retail and warehouse premises. And it was from the square that all the main streets diverged with narrow facades of two or three-story houses, decorated with high gables. The cities were enveloped by powerful walls with travel towers. Feudal and royal castles gradually turned into the most complex complexes of palaces, fortifications and places of worship. In the center of the city, as a rule, there was a cathedral or castle, which became the heart of city life.

Milan Cathedral.

The complex but bold frame structure of the Gothic period cathedral, which embodied the triumph of the architect's daring thought, made it possible to surpass the massiveness of the Romanesque structures, lightening the vaults and walls and creating a dynamic integrity of the interior space. Using the frame, the walls ceased to be load-bearing elements of buildings. It seemed that there were no walls at all. Lancet vaults were superior to semicircular ones because of their variability, being structurally ahead in many positions.

It is in Gothic that the complication and enrichment of the consonance of arts comes, the expansion of the plot system, which reflected the medieval worldview. There is an interest in the real forms of nature, in the feelings and physical beauty of a person, a new interpretation is given to the theme of motherhood, martyrdom, the suffering of morality and the sacrificial stability of a person. In the Gothic style of architecture, tragic affects are organically intertwined with lyricism, social satire with spiritual loftiness, folklore with a fantastic grotesque, and the sharpness of life observations.

The Gothic style originated in Northern France in the middle of the 11th century and reached its peak by the first half of the 11th century. The stone cathedrals of the Gothic work in France received their own classical form. A similar structure was usually made up of three to five nave basilicas with transverse naves - transepts and an ambulatory, to which radial chapels adjoined. The impression of an indomitable movement towards the altar and upwards is created by slender pillars, the great rise of lancet arches and the rapid pulse of the triforium. Due to the contrast of the main high nave, as well as the semi-dark side naves, a rich painting of aspects appears, a boundless sense of space.

types of arches.

Gothic ornament.

Gothic capitals.

The Gothic frame system originated in the abbey church of Saint-Denis (1137-1144). The cathedrals in Paris, Lane and Chartres can also be attributed to the young Gothic. The richness of rhythm, the perfection of compositional architecture and the impeccability of decorative sculpture - that is what distinguishes the stunning cathedrals and temples of the mature Gothic in Amiens and Reims. The Parisian chapel Sainte-Chapelle (1243-1248) with many stained-glass windows also belongs to the Gothic cathedrals of the middle of the 11th century. The crusaders also brought the principles of Gothic architecture to Rhodes, Syria and Cyprus.

Late Gothic in interiors is already spreading sculptural altars that combine wooden painted and gilded sculptures with temperamental painting on wooden boards. Here, a new emphatic structure of images is already taking shape, distinguished by intense (often exalted) expression, which is especially evident in the scenes of the suffering of Christ and other saints, conveyed with irreconcilable truthfulness.

As a result, we can conclude that due to the solution of only one architectural problem, not even related to construction, a whole trend in art was born, and, one might say, by chance a mysterious and amazing style was created - Gothic.

Notre Dame Cathedral. (Notre Dame de Paris)

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris)

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is the heart of Paris. The lower part of the facade has three portals: the portal of the Virgin Mary on the left, the portal of St. Anne on the right, and between them is the portal of the Last Judgment. Above them rises an arcade of twenty-eight statues of the Jewish kings. The center of the façade is adorned with a large rose-shaped window, decorated with stone patterns and stained-glass windows. The bronze bell, donated to the Cathedral in 1400, weighing six tons, is located in the right tower of the Cathedral. Subsequently, the bell was melted down again, and the inhabitants of Paris threw jewelry into the molten bronze, from which, according to stories, the ringing of the bell acquired a clear and sonorous timbre.

The cathedral, as a model of the divine universe, looks upward, towards the sky. There are no sharp spiers on top of the towers, contrary to the project. This decision was made so that the harmony of the entire structure would not be disturbed. And from the inside, the temple amazes with the volume and breadth of space. Neither massive pillars nor bare walls remind of the massiveness of the Cathedral. There is a beautiful tradition associated with the Cathedral. Every year, on the first of May each year, artists donate paintings, sculptures and other creations. They decorate the chapels on the right side of Notre Dame Cathedral. It also contains two statues: the Virgin Mary, after whom the Cathedral is named, and the statue of St. Dionysius. In memory of the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, their sculptural images are located in the central part of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Bas-reliefs on the theme of the New Testament adorn the outer part of the choir. In 1886, the rite of acceptance of the Catholic faith by the writer Paul Claudel took place in the Cathedral, as evidenced by a bronze plate with an inscription mounted in the floor of the transept. Notre Dame Cathedral itself is immortalized in the work of the same name by Victor Hugo.

Majestic and mysterious, the Gothic style became a vivid symbol of the European architecture of the Middle Ages. He combined the severity of stone, the lightness of glass and the brightness of stained glass colors.
Pointed towers soaring upward, weightless semi-arches, strict vertical columns and even window openings pointed upwards - all this demonstrates the desire of mankind for the heavenly, the sublime, the beyond.
Gothic style in architecture - Chartres Cathedral (France)

The main features of Gothic in architecture

Gothic architecture is easily recognizable by the following features:

1. lancet stone arches and semi-arches (flying buttresses);
2. soaring narrow turrets;
3. forged roof spiers;
4. elongated stained-glass windows with a pointed top;
5. "rose" in the center of the facade;
6. a large number of decorative elements (archivolts, wimpergi, tympanums);
7. all parts of the structure tend upward, emphasizing the vertical.

Style history

Historians attribute the development and prosperity of the Gothic architectural direction to the Middle Ages (XII-XVI centuries). The north of France is considered the birthplace of the style, from where it gradually spread throughout Europe.
Gothic came to replace it, gradually replacing it.
First, the new direction shows itself in the architecture of buildings (monasteries, temples and churches) that have a cult, religious affiliation. Over time, the Gothic style extends to civil buildings (palaces, houses, administrative buildings).

Gothic in modern construction

At present, against the backdrop of a trend to create comfortable conditions for suburban living, the requirements for the architectural design of buildings are constantly becoming more complicated.
One of the sought-after trends in this area has become the Gothic style, which gives a lot of interesting ideas. But it is worth noting that it is not suitable for everyone.

Gothic cottage- this is an exclusive, carried out under the order of an individual owner. And you need to be prepared for the fact that such a building will always be in the spotlight.

Materials for building in the Gothic style

To build a modern Gothic style home, it is not necessary to build a life-size medieval castle. It is enough to adhere to the canons that give the desired stylistic direction.
The main material for building houses in the Gothic style is natural stone. However, if necessary, it can be completely replaced with more affordable materials (brick, blocks). And decorative plaster and panels imitating stone will help to give the facade an appropriate look.

The first thing that attracts attention in buildings of the Gothic type is a complex, high, multi-pitched roof, directed to the sky. It is harmoniously complemented by dormers and dormer windows, as well as spire-shaped and domed structures resembling turrets (pinnacles).

Given the significant angle of inclination, tiles (metal or bituminous) are most often used as roofing material.
To visually increase the height and enhance the vertical orientation, pointed forged elements are an important part of the external decor.

Facade

The main characteristics of the facade in the Gothic style are:

Gothic colors

The key color of the Gothic style is traditionally considered purple, personifying the unity of the earthly (blood red) and heavenly (blue). Now he, in soft, restrained colors, is used mainly for roofing.
Solid, discreet shades of light gray, clay brown, camouflage green are suitable for facades.
The main colors of stained glass windows in the Gothic style are red, blue and yellow.
Expressive contrasts are created by using white or black colors.

decorative elements

The Gothic architectural style is characterized by the use of numerous decorative elements. It can be bas-reliefs, small sculptures, pilasters, balustrades (fences), stylized forged ornaments.
Moreover, heavy and massive gypsum parts, typical for medieval castles, are now successfully replaced by lighter counterparts made of facade polystyrene foam or foam plastic with an appropriate coating.

Gothic style houses - photo

Gothic architecture - video

Advanced building technologies make the construction of buildings in the Gothic style more affordable due to a wide choice of facing materials and the ability to replace natural stone with more affordable analogues.
Modern buildings in the Gothic style are distinguished by originality and an abundance of light, which deprives them of medieval gloominess and ensures a comfortable stay.

The most famous architectural structures in the Gothic style

France:
Cathedral of Chartres, XII-XIV centuries.
Reims Cathedral, 1211-1330.
Cathedral at Amiens, 1218-1268
Cathedral of Notre Dame, 1163-XIV century.
Cathedral at Bourges, 1194

Germany:
Cologne Cathedral, 1248-19th century
Münster Cathedral in Ulm, 1377-1543

England:
Canterbury Cathedral XII-XIV centuries.
Cathedral of Westminster Abbey XII-XIV centuries., London.
Salisbury Cathedral 1220-1266
Cathedral at Exeter 1050
Cathedral at Lincoln, 16th century
Cathedral in Gloucester XI-XIV centuries.

Czech Republic:
St. Vitus Cathedral 1344-1929

Italy:
Doge's Palace, 14th century
Milan Cathedral 1386-XIX century.
Ca Doro in Venice, 15th century

Spain:
Cathedral in Girona 1325-1607
Cathedral in Palma on the island of Mallorca 1426-1451

Norway:
Cathedral in Trondheim 1180-1320

Denmark:
Cathedral of St. Canute in Odense XIII-XV centuries.

Sweden:
Church in Vadstena 1369-1430

Gothic cathedrals are not religious buildings of the ancient Goths, but temples built in the Gothic style of architecture. This architectural style appeared in France in the 12th century, it replaced the Romanesque style.

Gothic architecture spread throughout Western Europe and continued to develop until the 16th century. With the advent of the Renaissance, Gothic began to lose its significance. Best of all, the Gothic style manifested itself in the architecture of cathedrals, temples and monasteries. Gothic is characterized by narrow and high towers, arches with pointed tops, columns, multicolored stained glass windows and a richly decorated facade. An integral part of Gothic art is sculpture. The gloomy figures of gargoyles and mythical creatures served as a particularly frequent decoration on the walls. The combination of stained-glass windows shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, magnificent patterns and stone sculptures of figures create an inimitable ensemble.

Gothic covers various works of art: painting, fresco, stained glass, sculpture, book miniature and many others. But as already mentioned, it is the medieval cathedrals of Europe that fully demonstrate all the beauty and grandeur of the Gothic style. They will be discussed below.

10 gothic cathedrals photo.

1. St. Stephen's Cathedral. Vienna, Austria

St Stephen's Cathedral, located in the heart of Vienna, has survived many wars and is now a symbol of the freedom of the city. The Gothic cathedral stands on the ruins of two previous churches. Its construction was largely initiated in the 14th century by Duke Rudolf IV of Austria. And the most recognizable characteristic of the cathedral, the tiled roof with the national coat of arms and the coat of arms of the city of Vienna, was added only in 1952.

2. Burgos Cathedral. Burgos, Spain

Burgos Cathedral is a medieval cathedral in the city of the same name, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is famous for its huge size and unique gothic architecture. The construction of the cathedral began in 1221, and after a long break of almost two centuries, it was completed in 1567. In 1919, the cathedral became the burial place of the Spanish national hero Rodrigo Diaz de Vivara (El Cid Campeador) and his wife Jimena Diaz.

3. Reims Cathedral. Reims, France

Reims Cathedral is the place where numerous French monarchs were officially crowned. It was built on the site of the basilica, where once (about 496) Clovis I, one of the greatest politicians of his time, was baptized by Saint Remy. The construction of the cathedral was completed by the end of the 13th century.

4. Milan Cathedral. Milan, Italy

The exceptionally large and elaborate Gothic cathedral in Milan's main square is one of the most famous buildings in Europe. This is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Construction began in 1386 under the auspices of Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo in a late Gothic style more typical of France than Italy. It took five centuries before the building was completed.

5. Seville Cathedral. Seville, Spain

Situated on the site of the majestic Almohada Mosque, the medieval cathedral was built to showcase the power and wealth of Seville after the long process of the Reconquista. When completed in the 16th century, it superseded Hagia Sophia as the largest in the world. The builders used some of the columns and elements of the former mosque. The most famous Giralda is a tower with rich patterns and ornaments, formerly a minaret, and transformed into a bell tower.

6. York Minster York, England

One of the two largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe (along with Cologne Cathedral in Germany). Rising above the skyline in the historic city of York of the same name, York Minster encompasses all stages of Gothic architectural development in England. The construction of the present building was begun around 1230 and completed in 1472. The cathedral is famous for its largest medieval stained-glass windows.

7. Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris, France

Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) is a beautiful Catholic cathedral in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. Construction, begun in 1163, was not completed until 1345. One of the most famous French Gothic cathedrals, Notre Dame de Paris is an excellent example of French Gothic architecture, sculpture and stained glass. During the French Revolution in 1790, most of the sculptures and treasures were destroyed and looted. And yet, on December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor here.

8. Cologne Cathedral. Cologne, Germany

Cologne Cathedral has been the most famous symbol of the city for many centuries. Its height is 157.4 meters. The famous cathedral stands on the site where a Roman temple was located back in the 4th century. Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1248 and continued intermittently for more than 600 years. The cathedral is dedicated to Saints Peter and Mary and is the main temple of the Cologne Archdiocese.

9. Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Florence, Italy

The Gothic-style construction that began in 1296 was completed in 1436. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is the symbol of the city and one of the most beautiful buildings in Florence. Notable are the outer walls of the basilica, lined with beautiful marble panels of various shades: green, white, pink. And the huge brick dome is also impressive.

10. Chartres Cathedral. Chartres, France

Chartres Cathedral is located in the city of the same name near Paris. Its merit, besides being one of the finest examples of French High Gothic, is that it has been almost perfectly preserved. Most of the cathedral's original stained glass windows have remained intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes since the early 13th century.

He began to redeem himself. At this time, the first prerequisites for an unusual new art arose. The name "Gothic", "Gothic architecture" comes from the word "Goths" - barbarian tribes with Germanic roots.

Renaissance people with refined manners were outraged that art was taking on a form that was far from the canons of antiquity. They called the new style Gothic, that is, barbaric. Almost all the art of the Middle Ages fell under this definition.

This direction existed for some time along with the old trend, so it is quite difficult to separate them by different chronological boundaries. But you can highlight the features of the Gothic style in architecture, which were not similar to Romanesque.

When Romanesque art was at its peak in the twelfth century, a new trend began to emerge. Even the forms, lines and themes of the works differed significantly from everything that was before.

Gothic style in architecture is divided into several stages:

early Gothic;

the tall, or mature, species was pushed to its limit in the 13th century;

flaming, or late, flourished in the 14th-15th centuries.

The main location of the style

Gothic was popular where the Christian church dominated secular life. Thanks to the new type of architecture, temples, churches, monasteries, and churches appeared.

It originated in a small French province called Ile de France. At the same time, it was discovered by the architects of Switzerland and Belgium. But in Germany, from where this art got its name, it appeared later than the others. Other architectural styles flourished there. Gothic style became the pride of Germany.

First try

With the beginning of the twelfth century, the main features characteristic of this direction appear in the architecture of various cathedrals. So, if you look at the Abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris, you can see an unusual arch. It is this building that embodies the entire Gothic style in the architecture of Western Europe. A certain abbot Sugery supervised the construction.

The churchman ordered to remove several internal walls during construction. The abbey immediately began to seem more voluminous, solemn and large-scale.

Heritage

Although the Gothic style in architecture concentrates mainly on the individual experiences of a person, he also took a lot from his predecessor. Romanesque architecture transferred its laurels to this style and faded into the background.

The main object of Gothic was the cathedral as a symbiosis of painting, architecture, and sculpture. If earlier architects preferred to create churches with round windows, thick walls with many supports and small interior spaces, then with the advent of this style, everything changed. The new current carried space and light. Often the windows were decorated with stained-glass windows with Christian scenes. Tall columns, towers, oblong arches and carved facades appeared.

The horizontal Romanesque style left room for the vertical stripes of the Gothic.

Cathedral

The Middle Ages are always identified with the development of Christianity. The Church received power not only in religious but also in secular life. She began to govern states, to put on the throne the monarchs she liked.

Literacy was taught according to church books. The only literature was religious. Music was also directly linked to Christianity. The Gothic style in the architecture of the Middle Ages interacted with all kinds of art.

The cathedral has become the central place of any city. It was visited by parishioners, they studied in it, beggars lived here, and even theatrical performances were played. The sources often mention that the government also met in church premises.

Initially, the Gothic style for the cathedral had the goal of significantly expanding the space, making it brighter. After such a monastery was created in France, fashion began to quickly disperse throughout Europe.

The values ​​of the new religion, forcibly imposed in the Crusades, spread the Gothic style in architecture in Syria, Rhodes, and Cyprus. And the monarchs, put on the throne by the Pope, saw divine guidance in sharp forms and began to actively use them in Spain, England, and Germany.

Characteristics of the Gothic style in architecture

From other styles, Gothic architecture is distinguished by the presence of a stable frame. Arches in the form of arrows, vaults going up in the form of arcs and crosses become the main part of such a skeleton.

The building of the Gothic style, as a rule, consists of:

traveya - elongated cells of a rectangular design:

four arches:

4 pillars;

the skeleton of the vault, which is formed from the arches and pillars mentioned above and has a cruciform shape;

arkbutanov - arches that serve to support the building;

buttresses - stable pillars outside the room, often decorated with carvings or spikes;

windows in an arched style, with mosaics, as clearly shows the Gothic style in the architecture of France and Germany.

Whereas in Romanesque classical art the church is separated from the outside world, Gothic seeks an interplay between nature on the outside and cathedral life on the inside.

Secular architecture in a new way

Considering that in the Dark Ages, the church and religion in general were inseparable from the daily life of the people of that time, the fashion for the Gothic style in the architecture of the Middle Ages spread everywhere.

Following the cathedrals, town halls began to be built with the same characteristic features, as well as residential buildings, castles, and mansions outside the city.

french gothic masterpieces

The founder of this style was a monk from the abbey of Saint-Denis, who decided to create a completely new building. He was called the godfather of the Gothic, and the church began to be shown as an example to other architects.

In the fourteenth century, another striking example of Gothic architecture arose in the capital of France, which became famous all over the world - Notre Dame Cathedral, a Catholic stronghold of faith in the city center, which has retained all the features of the Gothic style in architecture to this day.

The shrine was built where the Romans used to honor the god Jupiter. Since ancient times, the place has been an important religious center.

The first stone was laid in the new church by Pope Alexander III and Louis VII. The cathedral was designed by the famous architect Maurice de Sully.

Nevertheless, the founder of Notre Dame never saw his brainchild. After all, the cathedral was built only after a hundred years of continuous work.

According to the official idea, the temple was supposed to accommodate ten thousand citizens who lived in Paris at that time. And become a refuge and salvation in times of danger.

After so many years of construction, the city has grown several times. When it was completed, the cathedral became the center of all Paris. Bazaars, fairs immediately formed at the entrance, street artists began to perform. The color of the Parisian nobility gathered at his place and discussed new fashion trends.

They took refuge here during revolutions and wars.

Arrangements of Notre Dame Cathedral

The frame of the cathedral is connected by many thin pillars with the help of an arch. Inside, the walls stretch high and close imperceptibly to the naked eye. The oblong windows are covered with colored stained glass. The hall is in darkness. The rays that nevertheless pass through the glass illuminate hundreds of sculptures made of silver, wax, and marble. Ordinary people, kings, ministers of the church in various poses froze in them.

Instead of the walls of the church, it was as if they simply placed a frame of dozens of pillars. Between them are colored paintings.

The cathedral has five naves. The third one is much larger than the others. Its height reaches thirty-five meters.

If measured in modern standards, then in such a cathedral you can easily place a twelve-story residential building.

The last two naves intersect and visually form a cross between them. It symbolizes the life and suffering of Jesus Christ.

Money from the public treasury went to the construction of the cathedral. The Parisians hoarded them, donated them after every Sunday service.

The cathedral was badly damaged in modern times. So, the original stained-glass windows can be seen only on the western and southern facades. Sculptures are visible in the choir, on the facades of the building.

Germany

The Gothic style of architecture was named after the tribes living in German territory. It was in this country that he experienced his heyday. The main attractions of Gothic architecture in Germany include:

1. Cologne Cathedral. This temple began to be built in the thirteenth century. Nevertheless, work on it was completed only in the nineteenth century, in the year 1880. Its style is reminiscent of Amiens Cathedral.

The towers have sharp ends. The middle nave is high, while the other four are about the same proportions. The decor for the cathedral is very light and elegant.

At the same time, stiff, dry proportions are noticeable.

The western branch of the church was completed in the nineteenth century.

2. Cathedral in Worms, built in the thirteenth century by order of the local steward.

3. Notre Dame in Ulm.

4. Cathedral in Naumburg.

Italian Gothic

Italy for a long time preferred to remain committed to ancient traditions, to the Romanesque style, and then to the Baroque and Rococo.

But this country could not help but be inspired by a new medieval trend at that time. After all, it was in Italy that the residence of the Pope was located.

The most striking example of Gothic architecture can be considered the Doge's Palace in Venice. Mixed with the cultural traditions of this city, it acquired its own unique characteristics, retaining the signs of the Gothic style in architecture.

In Venice, the builders missed in their drawings the constructivism that reigned in this direction. They focused on decorating.

The facade of the Palace is unique in its components. Thus, columns of white marble are built on the lower floor. They form lancet arches between themselves.

The building itself seems to settle on top of the columns and presses them to the ground. And the second floor is formed with the help of a large loggia around the entire perimeter of the building, on which supports are also placed, more elegant and elongated, with unusual carvings. This pattern also extends to the third floor, the walls of which seem to be devoid of those windows that are characteristic of Gothic architecture. Instead of numerous frames, an ornament in geometric shapes appeared on the facade.

This Gothic-Italian style combined the luxury of Byzantine culture and European austerity. Piety and love for life.

Other Italian examples of the Gothic style in architecture:

The palace in Milan, which began to be built in the fourteenth century, and was completed in the nineteenth;

Palazzo d'Oro (or Palazzo Santa Sofia) in Venice.

Interestingly, the architecture called Gothic has nothing to do with the Goth tribes that once inhabited Europe. The Gothic style grew out of the Romanesque in the 12th century and was called the "French style" at the time. Since that time, Gothic architecture began to gain popularity in Western Europe. And until the 16th century, churches and palaces, decorated in the Gothic tradition, grew like mushrooms after rain.

The Gothic style has distinctive features: the use of a frame system, high vertical windows with stained-glass windows, lancet arches with pillars that are supports, flying buttresses, cross vaults, openwork towers and much more. Here are the 10 most famous Gothic cathedrals in Europe:

St. Stephen's Cathedral - Vienna, Austria

This wonderful temple is located in the heart of cozy Vienna, which has survived many military conflicts. The cathedral on Stephansplatz rising up with its spiers is a symbol of the city and all of Austria. It stands on the ruins of two 12th-century temples. Under the temple there are catacombs, which were once an underground cemetery, and inside is the tomb of the Habsburg dynasty.

Cathedral in Burgos, Spain

A small medieval town in the modern north contains one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture - Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. It is famous for its unique shape and large size. Its construction began in 1221 and lasted almost 2 centuries! In 1919, Spanish national heroes Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid) and his wife found their last refuge here. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reims Cathedral - Reims, France

reims cathedral for a long time it was the place of coronation of all French monarchs. It was founded on the site of an ancient basilica where St. Remigius, Bishop of the city, baptized Clovis I. Construction was completed by the end of the 13th century. The cathedral was badly damaged during military clashes.

Milan Cathedral - Milan, Italy

An amazing Gothic temple on the main square of Milan is the hallmark of the city. Moreover, Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous and photographed buildings in all of Europe. It is also one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Its construction began in 1386. The architect Antonio da Saluzzo was inspired by late French Gothic. Construction was completed only after almost 5 centuries!

Seville Cathedral - Seville, Spain

York Minster - York, England

One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, York Minster argues for this title with the Cologne Cathedral. The current building was built between 1230 and 1472. The cathedral is famous for its huge stained glass windows. Due to the threat of collapse, the temple is often reconstructed.

Notre Dame de Paris - Paris, France

The beautiful Catholic cathedral in the fourth district of Paris is perhaps the most famous Gothic cathedral in the world, due to the fact that its name has firmly entered the golden fund of world literature. Its construction began in 1163 and lasted until about 1345. This is a prime example of French Gothic architecture, featuring unique stained glass windows and sculptures. During the French Revolution, some of the sculptures were damaged. And it was in this cathedral that Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned on December 2, 1804.