Gothic architecture is a style of architecture, particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches, which flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. The Gothic style, which placed great emphasis on light and verticality, and was associated with the pointed arch, rib vault, flying buttress and large traceried windows, progressed from its mid-twelfth-century French origins to become the dominant architectural force of medieval Europe. But although it was used in Italy from the early thirteenth century to the early fifteenth century, its lifespan here was far shorter than elsewhere, and the forms it took quite different from those of other countries. In many ways, Italy was wholly unsuited to the Gothic, which remained essentially a northern European creation. The pointed arch was foreign to a country steeped in classicism, while the hot climate meant that only small windows were required, or interiors would become stifling. For the same reason, the giant portals of northern Gothic were unwanted; moreover, the large numbers of statues in the round they required were anathema to a nation reared on relief carvings.

After the Romanesque period in architecture, around 1200 AD, most people in Western Europe began to build churches and palaces in the Gothic style. The easiest difference to see between the two styles is that while Romanesque churches have round arches, Gothic churches have pointed arches.

Gothic architecture has three distinct characteristics which set it apart from Romanesque; pointed arches, ribbed vault, and flying buttresses. These developments allowed the architects to make the church much larger and brighter. By transferring the weight of the ceilings outward thrust to the flying buttresses, they were now able to place huge stain glass windows in the walls. This allowed the once dim Romanesque Cathedral to be transformed into a very bright and warm feeling Gothic Cathedral. These churches also reflect the wealth and influence of the church in the middle Ages. Many of these churches and cathedrals took over a century to build.

But there are a lot of other differences as well. Gothic churches have many more windows, and much bigger windows, and so they are not dark like Romanesque churches. This is because the architects have learned some new ways of making roofs and of supporting walls. Gothic churches are also usually bigger than Romanesque churches. By 1200 AD, people had more money available, and they could afford to spend more on building great churches.

Here are some Gothic cathedrals:

The Cathedral or Duomo in Florence (Firenze).
Milan cathedral.

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