Gothic Architecture

In Medieval times there were several forms of architecture, most of which were related to the church in some way. Gothic architecture is no exception to this rule. The different forms of art and architecture reflected the ever changing Church theology. This is very prominent in Gothic architecture. The type of architecture that preceded Gothic was Romanesque, which centered around Judgement Day. Between that time and the establishment of Gothic art the Church underwent a change and people developed different beliefs and new ideas about the Church. They now wanted to let as much light in as possible and bathe in the light that Heaven had sent down. New structures were introduced, most of which centered around the necessity for more windows. Ribbed vaults and flying buttresses both helped the buildings to be more stable and the walls to become thinner and thinner, thus allowing more windows to b put in and more light to flow through the Church. Gothic architecture was not simply a new interpretation of theology but a complete and utter change in the Church's theology.





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