For our history and theory of design course, we studied Gothic Cathedrals in Germany, France, England, and Italy during the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages (450-1500). In Europe, the Middle Ages were characterized by uncertainty, the One Hundred Year War, and the bubonic plaque which killed approximately one million people. The architecture in Europe, was heavily influenced by local circumstances. However, the ultimate universal goal for the cathedrals were to reach heavenly lights through vertical lines.
The local interpretation of the structures can be seen with the Monastery Church of Saint Michael in Hildesheim, Germany. The church has massive stone walls to withstand attack and at the same time, the towers point heavenward. The church has a dual function; it serves as a stronghold and a gateway to heaven (Roth, 315). The "Delight" aspect of the monastery church is almost non-existant. I also believe that Germany's physical location on the northern part of the European continent with its limited sunny days, dark & gloomy skies may have played a role in the architectural interpretation of the monastic church in Hildesheim. The structure does not appear to allow much natural sun light to enter the building.
Saint Michael, Hildesheim, Germany , 993-1022
In France, Gothic architecture of the 10th through the 12th centuries were dedicated to local saints who had been persecuted by the Romans and thus becoming martyrs for their faith (Roth, 314). Churches were built to house the relics of these local saints. It was also believed that the relics had healing powers. The return of some stability allowed believers to take part in the pilgrimage to these sites. The early Gothic churches of France were massive, stony, fortress-like structures with limited natural light inside the structures. However, with more political and economic stability, the later Gothic cathedrals were characterized by deconstruction of the walls and the subsequent introduction of the flying buttresses in order to bring heavenly light into an earthly structure. The church of Saint-Sernin, in Toulouse, France was dedicated to Sernin, the first bishop of Toulouse, martyred in the 4th century. Again, Gothic churches during the Late Middle Ages in France, depict the transformation from the fortress-like structures to more celestial, light, and transparent architectural styles evident in the cathedral of Notre Dame De Amiens. The structure reaches toward heavenly lights with its vertical lines, stained glass windows supported by flying buttresses. The outer facade is bedecked with biblical ornamentation which serves as a road map for the illiterate masses.
Notre-Dame de Amiens, France, 1220-1269
In Florence, Italy, Gothic Cathedrals were influenced by Roman architecture. The San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy, 1062-1200 is an example of continuing the influence of Roman architecture with clear geometric patterns on the marble veneer (Roth, 324). Unlike in France, Germany, and England, Italy's southern physical location brought in more natural light and it can been seen in the lighter color palette of the outer facade of the duomo. Lastly, the northern European countries had limited access to ancient Roman architecture unlike their Florentine counterparts. This access allowed the Florentine architects a wider interpretation of Gothic design principles. Not only could light enter through the celestial windows, but light also could be reflected on the clean geometric shapes and light color palette of the outer facade.
San Miniato al Monte, Florence, Italy, 1062-1200
In conclusion, the Gothic architecture of town halls and private residences were adaptions from the forms used in Gothic cathedrals. The result was an urban form of organic integration (Roth, 348). The concept of rising in vertical lines which characterized Gothic architecture for several centuries is currently still being used in our modern day sky scrapers.
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Great job Ayten. This post demonstrates going above and beyond in my opinion. Your map is clear and your references strongly suggest you have been paying attention in class and your readings. Keep up the good work!
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