GOTHIC ARCHITECTUREwinter solstice outing: a walk in the old town

1 eso D&E CIL

We shall follow this route but we’ll start at Sant Pere’s bastion(18) and finish at 1 (Town Hall)

)

On our way, we shall observe some emblematic Gothic buildings: Sa Llotja, the Cathedral

Gothic art evolved from Romanesque art and lasted from the mid-12th century to as late as the end of the 16th century in some areas. Some of its most distinctive features are:

1. Pinnacles

2. Gargoyles

3. Stained glass windows

4. Pointed arches

5. Flying butresses

6. Gothic vaults

Elements of the Gothic Architecture

Pointed Pinnacles

Gargoyles

Stained Glass Windows

Gothic Arch

Gothic

Vault

Flying Buttresses

Add strength and stability to the structure

Enables buildings to reach new

heights

To make it look light

Pointed Pinnacles1

Palma Cathedral

Pointed Pinnacles

The origins of the word 'gargoyle' are derived from the old French

word 'gargouille' meaning throat.

Gargoyles came into gothic architecture in the early 13th century and are defined as "a waterspout, projecting from an

upper part of a building to throw water clear of walls or

foundations."

Gargoyles are frightening and intimidating sculptures - perfect for the likes of great Lords and

Kings who built elaborate fortresses and castles in order

to crush and intimidate the indigenous population.

Gargoyles2

Gargoyles

Stained glass windows could

now take up much of the wall space,

letting in light and color for a beautiful and moving effect.

Stained Glass Windows3

Palma Cathedral rose window

Rose Stained Glass Windows

The Medieval Gothic Arch was a major

feature of the architecture of the

Middle Ages.

The Gothic architects and builders discovered the amazing strength and stability of using

pointed arches.

The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner because the weight of the roof was supported by the

arches rather than the walls.

The use of the Gothic arch gave the

builders tremendous flexibility.

Gothic Arch4

Palma Cathedral 

Gothic pointed arches

Vaults reduced the risk of fire

Gothic Vaults5

Palma Cathedral Gothic vaults

Gothic Vaults

Santa Creu

Compare Gothic to Romanesque Barrel Vaults

Romanesque (Barrel) Vault

Barrel Vault

It serves to transmit the lateral forces pushing a wall outwards (which may arise from stone

vaulted ceilings or from wind-loading on roofs) across an intervening space and ultimately down to the ground.

Another application of the

flying buttress is to prop up a wall which may be leaning with a

danger of collapse.

Flying Butresses6

Palma Cathedral

Flying Buttresses

Llotja de la Mercaderia

Gothic civil architecture