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| | There was outstanding architecture in the Middle Ages, which can be seen in the majestic churches built during that era. There were two main styles: Romanesque in the early years and the more popular Gothic design in the later years. Romanesque architecture is characterized by thick walls, rounded arches and small windows. The Gothic style, developed later, consisted of taller, perpendicular structures with long windows, pointed arches and “flying buttresses” (stone supports on the outer walls of churches). | | There was outstanding architecture in the Middle Ages, which can be seen in the majestic churches built during that era. There were two main styles: Romanesque in the early years and the more popular Gothic design in the later years. Romanesque architecture is characterized by thick walls, rounded arches and small windows. The Gothic style, developed later, consisted of taller, perpendicular structures with long windows, pointed arches and “flying buttresses” (stone supports on the outer walls of churches). |
| | [[Image:Chartres Cathedral drawing.jpg|400px|right]] | | [[Image:Chartres Cathedral drawing.jpg|400px|right]] |
| − | Gothic architecture, with its tall, pointed spires is said to reflect the desire of people of the Middle Ages to grow closer to God, reaching towards heaven and away from the earth. Tall windows allowed sunlight to illuminate the interior, unlike Romanesque architecture, in which windows were small and interiors were dim. A particularly stunning example of Gothic architecture is the Notre Dame in Paris, on which construction began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII, and was completed about 200 years later in about 1345. The Notre Dame features a beautiful stained-glass “rose window,” another distinguishing characteristic of Gothic churches. | + | Gothic architecture, with its tall, pointed spires is said to reflect the desire of people of the Middle Ages to grow closer to God, reaching towards heaven and away from the earth. Tall windows allowed sunlight to illuminate the interior, unlike Romanesque architecture, in which windows were small and interiors were dim. A particularly stunning example of Gothic architecture is the Notre Dame in Paris, on which construction began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII, and which was completed about 200 years later in about 1345. The Notre Dame features a beautiful stained-glass “rose window,” another distinguishing characteristic of Gothic churches. |
| | [[Image:West facade Chartres Cathedral.jpg|400px|right]] | | [[Image:West facade Chartres Cathedral.jpg|400px|right]] |
| − | The image above at right is a drawing of a long side of the Chartres Cathedral, which is only significant medieval church preserved in its original form, as completed and dedicated in A.D. 1260. It stands in the town of Chartres, France, merely 50 miles from Paris. Its long side is a classic example of Gothic architecture, featuring: | + | The image above at right is a drawing of a long side of the Chartres Cathedral, which is the only significant medieval church preserved in its original form, as completed and dedicated in A.D. 1260. It stands in the town of Chartres, France, merely 50 miles from Paris. Its long side (above right) is a classic example of Gothic architecture, featuring: |
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| − | *flying buttresses (see the arched supports at the far right) | + | *flying buttresses (arched external supports of high ceilings) |
| − | *stained-glass colored windows (notice the round window above the entrance) | + | *stained-glass colored windows (notice the round window above the 3-door entrance above) |
| | *relics (not visible on the drawing) | | *relics (not visible on the drawing) |
| − | *labyrinth inside, which is a maze-like walkways designed like that found in Jerusalem | + | *a labyrinth inside, which includes maze-like walkways designed like paths in Jerusalem |
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| | Inside, a Gothic cathedral utilizes a high nave (the central or open space of a church), supported by the flying buttresses on the outside, and with three aisles in the interior. In the Chartres Cathedral, one end has five semi-circular radiating chapels.<ref>http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/chartres-cathedral.htm</ref> | | Inside, a Gothic cathedral utilizes a high nave (the central or open space of a church), supported by the flying buttresses on the outside, and with three aisles in the interior. In the Chartres Cathedral, one end has five semi-circular radiating chapels.<ref>http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/chartres-cathedral.htm</ref> |