Medieval architecture
Outstanding architecture in the Middle Ages was seen primarily in the construction of majestic churches, and consisted of two main styles: Romanesque and Gothic. From the Saint-Denis Cathedral in France to the Altneuschul Synagogue in Prague, Gothic architecture brought innovative new approaches to construction. [1]
Romanesque
Romanesque architecture was a continuation of the Roman tradition of building, maintaining the rounded Roman arch; it was popular in Europe from about the 5th to the 13th centuries and is characterized by barrel vaulting, thick walls and relatively small windows. The term "Romanesque" was first used in the 19th century. Some examples of this period are: The Basilica of Paray-le-Monial, France, 1090-1110, and The Cathedral Albi, France. 1282-1390.
Gothic
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). 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. The Notre Dame features a beautiful 'rose window'--another distinguishing characteristic of Gothic architecture.