The Cathedral in Milan took nearly six centuries to complete and it is now the largest church in Italy, the third-largest in Europe and the fourth largest in the world. Britain, Germany, and Spain produced variations of this style, while Italian Gothic stood apart in its use of brick and marble rather than stone. → See the best of what Prague has to offer with this 24-hour itinerary. Built over the 12th Century CE on the site of Roman baths and Visigoth palaces, the cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The whole Old Town of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, three major ones are Belfry, St. Nicholas Church and St. Bavo Cathedral. The style developed quite a bit during its existence which is why it is often categorized into three sub-styles: Přemyslid Gothic (Early Gothic), Luxembourg Gothic (High Gothic), and Jagiellonian Gothic (Late Gothic). The main facade of the cathedral is a prime example of Flamboyant, a late Gothic style developed in France in the late 14th century. If you venture into the city, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Cathedral of Leon, a church that exemplifies art inspired by religious devotion. If none were seen, the all-clear would be sounded, by blowing a horn in 3 directions. Try to remember if these famous names were painters or architects. Many more architects worked on the cathedral throughout its existence, and, in fact, it was only completed in the 20th century. In the center is a circular rose window, found in other Gothic churches in Paris including Sainte-Clotilde Basilica, Sainte-Chapelle, and Saint-Séverin. Unlike the Gothic cathedrals and monasteries in other parts of Europe, Armenia had an eye for churches and monasteries that are smaller, dark, and designed as intimate gray spaces. Many buildings were built in Ghent during that time. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Unlike later styles, Gothic was reserved for ecclesial buildings and certainly didn’t find its way into vernacular architecture. Gothic architecture arrived in Austria relatively early and gradually developed from Romanesque in the 13th century. → Want to explore more of Prague’s beautiful architecture? The history of the building dates back to the year 1038. Notre-Dame Cathedral is not only one of the city’s most spectacular landmarks, but it is also one of the world’s best examples of Gothic architecture. You can admire the impressive Gothic architecture on display in the massive and intricate interior, with its vaulted ceilings that were once the highest in the world. However, you can still see some 14th-century Gothic chapels in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. Notre Dame’s powerful facade features two towers and statues of religious and historic figures. Gothic architecture arrived in Austria relatively early and gradually developed from Romanesque in... 2. The best part of a visit to this cathedral is that the guides are well informed, entertaining and passionate about their art. The interior shines in Gothic glory with no less than 18 altars, an intricate stone pulpit, six formal chapels, and the famous Maria Pötsch Icon. Learn how your comment data is processed. And that’s where Leon would surprise you. « Copenhagen on a Budget: Invaluable Tips by a Local, One Day in Stockholm: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Stockholm ». When the Gothic architectural style expanded to Lithuania in the 14th century, the country became... 3. St. Lambert’s is technically classified as late Gothic, but it boasts a number of typical Gothic features, which draw the viewer’s attention in every direction. Noted as the first Gothic cathedral (it was completed in 1144), this … The first being St. Paulus Dom, sometimes referred to as Münster Cathedral, which is a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Want to explore more of Prague’s beautiful architecture? The darkness, stone staircases and arched doorways make it particularly unsettling and stand as a testament to the world’s oldest and least heralded civilizations. High. Take our self-guided walking tour! Inside you will notice that there are big external dome-shaped arches and bas-reliefs of human faces with snakes’ heads facing one another. Another church built during the same time is St. Nicholas Church. It is difficult to choose a favorite of these three, but St. Lambert’s Church may have the greatest appeal. Gothic architecture, architectural style in Europe that lasted from the mid-12th century to the 16th century, particularly a style of masonry building characterized by cavernous spaces with the expanse of walls broken up by overlaid tracery. The Cathedral has stood the test of time and is very well preserved. One of the best examples of this unique architectural style is Tatev Monastery, located in Syunik. In the 12th–13th century, feats of engineering permitted increasingly gigantic buildings. Corrections? There are many more Gothic buildings in Ghent, making Ghent a great place to visit for anyone in love with this architectural style. Over the years, many parts were added, damaged, remodeled, and changed. It doesn’t hurt that it also has the best view of Oxford either. The most famous of all the statues is the Gold Madonna that sits higher than the rest of the statues and can be seen from the terrace atop the cathedral. Recommended by Sinjana from Backpack & Explore. As you head deeper into the monastery, the narrow passages lead to spacious halls that seem vacant, empty and grim. Your email address will not be published. There are many cities in the UK with fine examples of Gothic architecture but few of these rival Oxford when it comes to number and scale. At the time, Austria was firmly Catholic which added to the style’s quick advancement in the country. To see more Gothic architecture around Paris, explore the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th arrondissements. There are three prominent towers, the Tour de Beurre (butter tower), Tour Saint Romain, and Tour Lantern – each towering over the whole cathedral. Small elegant spires on its facades are its typical feature. However, construction of the present stone cathedral began a bit later, in 1172, after the conquest of Dublin by Strongbow, a Norman baron. Make it a full day with this 24h Vienna itinerary. One of the best European cities to see Gothic architecture is Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. Nowadays it’s one of the most beautiful and most impressive churches in the country. The Gothic narrative sculptures on the West Portal are spread across three doorways that lead into the Cathedral. Best Examples of Gothic Architecture in Europe 1. It’s a type of Gothic style that was popular in Belgium and some parts of the Netherlands. One of the earliest buildings to combine these elements into a coherent style was the abbey of Saint-Denis, Paris (c. 1135–44). A pointed rib vault is a crossed or diagonal structure of arches known as ribs that were heavy structural elements filled with a lighter layer of stone in-between. See the St. Stephen Cathedral and more on this self-guided walking tour of Vienna.