The most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Gothic in the architecture of medieval Europe

And the Gothic architectural style is a trend that was born in France in the 12th century from the Romanesque style, for a long time known as the “French style” or “modern style”. A more detailed history of the origin and development of Gothic architecture can be found on thematic resources. For example, the site about architecture tartle.net with projects of houses made in a variety of architectural styles. Gothic architecture from France spread throughout Western Europe and continued to develop until the beginning of the 16th century, when a new trend in art and architecture was born - the Renaissance. Thus, the Gothic style was the dominant structural and aesthetic trend in Europe for nearly 400 years. In the 19th century, the Gothic style became popular again, especially for the construction of churches and universities. This style is called Neo-Gothic architecture.

Basics of Gothic architecture

1. Pointed arch. The lancet arch effectively distributed the force of heavy ceilings and bulky structures, and could support much more weight than previous, simple pillars. Such pointed arches have become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Gothic.
2. Ribbed vault.
3. Flying support. In addition to the practical meaning - the load was distributed on it, it had a large decorative role.
4. Height. All buildings of this era literally stretch to the sky.
5. Vaulted ceiling.
6. Light and airy interior. It may not seem so to us now, but compared to Romanesque architecture, it really is.
7. Gargoyles. Ornamental, monstrous little creatures found on the rooftops of gothic buildings and castles. Gargoyles have a practical purpose: they are spouts for draining rainwater. They struck terror into the hearts of poorly educated medieval peasants. Many gargoyles included elements of the grotesque, were pompous or threatening poses.

These seven elements have changed the world, giving it something completely new, refined and sublime. Gothic style emphasizes verticality and light. This was achieved by creating new architectural features that can be called the frame system of Gothic architecture. It includes such basic elements as: buttresses, flying buttresses and ribs. Sculptures and stained-glass windows can be considered an important component of the buildings of Gothic architecture, without which not a single building of this era can do. It is worth noting that at the time of its appearance and heyday, not everyone had a positive attitude towards this direction, many criticized it, because it was very different from Romanesque architecture. But even at sunset, this style was criticized. It was then that they began to call it Gothic, meaning that it is as barbaric as the behavior of the Goth tribes.

Literally every European state can boast of its impressive and bewitching cathedrals, basilicas, castles, town halls, universities and other buildings built in the Gothic style. However, as one would expect from the Middle Ages, it is the cathedrals and temples that embody all the power, triumph and beauty of Gothic architecture. There are more than a dozen samples of classical Gothic architecture throughout Europe, as well as England and Scandinavia. Among them, it is very difficult to single out a few of the best or most significant, since each such building is unique, inimitable and always has its own distinctive features. In Spain alone you can count more than ten very majestic Gothic cathedrals, which you can talk about for hours, which you never cease to admire. For example, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona; Cathedral of Saint Mary in Segovia; Cathedral of Avila; Catholic Cathedral in Toledo and many others. There are a lot of beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the United Kingdom. One of them, Gloucester Cathedral, even became a filming location for the Harry Potter films.

The most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe:

(Germany). O d but of the most haunted places in Germany, there are about 8 million tourists every year. The cathedral is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The height of the cathedral is 157.25 meters. It is considered the third largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The start of construction dates back to 1248, but everything was built rather slowly. the choir was consecrated in 1322. The first bell was installed on one of the towers in 1410. Around 1510 construction was stopped. For almost 300 years, Cologne Cathedral stood unfinished. Was completed in 1880.

(France). A World Heritage Site, a very popular tourist destination (over a million visitors a year). is the residence of the Archbishop of Reims, where almost all the kings of France were crowned. Years of construction: 1211 - 1275. The upper parts of the facade were completed in the 14th century.

Seville Cathedral(Spain). It is on the list of World Heritage Sites. Built in 1401-1507 on the site of a former mosque. Belongs to late Gothic. Here the remains are buriedChristopher Columbus. The cathedral is considered one of the main gems in the treasury of the Spanish heritage.

• Milan Cathedral(Italy). Business card of Milan. The cathedral impresses with its sculptural wealth - there are about 3,400 statues here. One of the most recognizable places in the world. The cathedral is built of white marble. This is a long-term construction cathedral: begun in 1386 and completed in 1965. The highest point of the cathedral is 108 meters.

When the Soviet government began the fight against religion, churches were closed, decapitated, and their premises were given over to warehouses, clubs, cinemas and other institutions more relevant to the workers' and peasants' state. Today, the process is reversed in the country. Temples are built literally in every courtyard. The percentage of believing Russians is growing every year. By the way, despite the fact that almost 80% of compatriots call themselves Orthodox, only 14% go to church regularly.

In Europe, on the contrary, the number of believers is declining. For example, in the UK in 1983, 70% called themselves believers, and today their number has dropped to 40%. In France, there are only 34% of such people, and in Sweden, in general, 23%. At some point, Europe faced the problem of empty churches. Parishioners stopped going to services, but what about the majestic buildings, many of which were architectural monuments?

See what Europeans are doing in former churches. Nothing is sacred...

HOUSE

Former church in Chicago. Photo: Linc Thelen Design

It often happens that churches lose their parishioners. So that the building does not disappear without work, it is sold, and the new owners remake it into a residential building.

Some owners seek to preserve the original layout and church interior details. They leave spiers, bell towers and characteristic doors with windows. Choirs (balconies for musicians) they use as an attic, and a dining table is placed in place of the altar.

But leaving everything as it was is not an easy task. Many churches are huge empty spaces. And people decide to completely rebuild it, so that they get separate rooms and bathrooms. It happens that in one church several apartments are designed at once. The appearance of the building usually remains unchanged.

RESTAURANT

Old Library Restaurant from Sydney. Photo: Shannon McGrath

The second most popular transformation is the transformation of the church into a restaurant. Let's take the Old Library restaurant in suburban Sydney as an example. The church in which it is located was built in 1908, and from the 70s until recently there was a library in it (hence the name of the restaurant).

Designers completely changed the interior of the room and decorated it with wooden and steel furniture. They also added partitions to create several private spaces.

THEATRE

The Quarry Theater in Bedford. Photo: Philippe Vile

The old Bedford church, which closed in 2008, is fortunate enough to become a theatre. The architects decided to expand it: to the back of the building they added a spacious semi-circular foyer with large windows overlooking the garden.

In the main part of the church there is an auditorium with 300 seats. The stage is located directly on the floor, it is surrounded by multi-level visual rows. The architects have preserved and improved the church balconies - you can also watch the performance from them.

The architects say they are very pleased with the transformation of the church into a theater: “It has retained the function of a place for social gatherings. It is much better than if someone's house is located in it ... We tried to keep the original interior and adapt it for new purposes.

CONCERT HALL

Altar Bar in Pittsburgh

The small church of St. Elizabeth in downtown Pittsburgh has been turned into a venue for rock bands. The concert hall positions itself as a temple of live music.

The church has amazing acoustics and enough capacity to invite famous musicians. Misfits, Imagine Dragons, Anti-Flag, Gary Newman and even Snoop Dogg came here to perform.

As I was writing the post, news broke in the media that the owner of Altar Bar had decided to sell it: “I want to sell the building so I can use my assets elsewhere. I'm trying to build a new steel plant in Valparaiso and I need some money for that." Concerts will continue at the bar until July 31st, when Franklin's Orchard Hill Church plans to take it over. She will restore the church interior and remove the bar from there so that nothing distracts new parishioners from the service.

HOTEL

The Priory Hotel in Pittsburgh

Here is another example of how old churches are used in Pittsburgh. More precisely, a whole Benedictine monastery with the church of St. Mary. Recently, a new wing was added to the former monastery, which increased the number of rooms from 25 to 42. All of them are designed in the style of the 19th century and are furnished with antique furniture. The hotel also boasts the largest banquet hall in the city. It was located in the building of the former church at the monastery.

And here is a hotel in the Belgian city of Melechen, located in an 18th-century neo-Gothic church. It has 79 rooms, and the best of them is located "on the way to heaven" - above the former church altar. The windows of the room face east, so the stained-glass windows in the morning are especially beautiful here.

Hotel Martin's Patershof in Melechen

There is also such a thing as camping in churches. For this purpose, the British Trust for the Preservation of Churches has allocated about 10 church buildings. Camping season in churches lasts from May to September. Usually the room is not divided by partitions, tourists themselves set up tents in it or simply sleep on folding beds. Camping churches are equipped with kitchens, bathrooms and Wi-Fi.

All Saints Church in Aldwinkle. Photo: David Joyner

BREWERY WITH PUB

Church Brew Works pub in Pittsburgh

We're still in Pittsburgh at the Church Brew Works pub. It is located in the former church of St. John the Baptist, which began to be built in 1902. Her parish was reorganized in 1993, and in 1996 the building was converted into a brewery.

The reconstruction and arrangement of the church was very painstaking. For example, benches were cut and processed by hand. The bar counter was made from the remaining boards. During the renovation, workers removed the plywood that covered the floor and discovered an old pine floor underneath. It has been carefully restored. The lamps remained the same, only they were repainted in gold color. And the bricks left after the dismantling of unnecessary walls were used to decorate the facade of the building.

Local brewers name their personal beers in accordance with the situation: "Divine Gold", "Organ Pale Ale" and "Pious Monk Dunkel". In 2012 they won the Great American Beer Festival.

BOOK STORE

Polare store in Maastricht

This bookstore has been voted the most beautiful in the world by the Guardian. It is housed in a Gothic cathedral. Before it started selling books in 2006, it stood idle for 200 years. The Dutch architectural office that was involved in the restoration of the church received an award for the best interior design after the completion of the work. It is made in a minimalist style, but with the preservation of the original details.

Updated vaulted ceilings and decorative frescoes were complemented by black steel tables and shelves. A separate two-story building was added to the church building to store a large collection of books.

The store had a nice coffee shop with a huge cross-shaped table. Candles were used for lighting, which added to the atmosphere of the place. Now there is nothing of this in the church anymore, because in 2014 the Polare bookstore chain went bankrupt and closed all its stores. It's a pity.

SUPERCOMPUTER CENTER

Supercomputing Center in Barcelona

One of the largest supercomputers in Europe called MareNostrum is now housed in an abandoned chapel in Torre Girona. It is used for highly complex calculations in astrophysics and meteorology, as well as for mapping the human genome.

The computer itself consists of several computing units enclosed in glass cubes and located in the main hall of the romantic chapel.

The building was built in the 19th century and restored after the Spanish Civil War. It is located on the campus of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Until the 1960s, there really was a church there, but then the state confiscated the chapel. Since then, it has been used for more functional purposes.

LIBRARY

Library in Quebec. Photo: Stephane Groleau

Based on the old church, Canadian architects have created a modern library with high ceilings, a spiral staircase and glass walls. The church was built in 1964 and features a sky-pointing roof structure. The architects involved in the reconstruction left it untouched, but on the sides they added two glazed blocks to the building.

The building now houses a public library and community center. All this occupies two above-ground floors and one underground.

On the site of the former nave is a grandiose atrium. Through it you can go to book depositories, reading rooms and study areas.

SKATE PARK

Skatepark in Llaner. Photo: Lucho Vidales

The church of St. Barbara in Llanera was built in 1912. For many years it stood idle and gradually collapsed. But with the help of fundraising and Red Bull, a group of enthusiasts were able to restore it and turn it into a skatepark.

The walls inside the former church were painted by the artist Okuda San Miguel. He decorated them with colorful geometric shapes and rainbows. When the sun illuminates the interior of the skatepark through the windows, it becomes very bright and beautiful here.

BROTHERHOOD RESIDENCE

The residence of the Phi Kappa Sigma club in Troy. Photo: Philip Kamrass

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (a private university in the USA) bought an empty church for its student fraternity. The students were extremely happy: now they have their own house, and they do not have to arrange meetings in private apartments. The students repaired the building on their own to make it suitable for parties and living. Opponents of such a transformation were found in the city: the letters on the facade of the church, indicating the name of the brotherhood, were torn off by vandals. They had to be hung again.

ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER

Entrepreneurial Church in Stockholm. Photo: Entreprenorskyrkan.se

The Swedes converted the Greek Orthodox Church into a multifunctional co-working center and called it the "Entrepreneurial Church".

Its area is 300 square meters. In addition to the premises for work, it includes two conference rooms, a meeting room and a small kitchen. The business center can accommodate 30 offices at once.

In the "church" he held his TEDx lectures, and parties and weddings were sometimes held here. The history of the entrepreneurial center began with the fact that four startups were looking for suitable offices, and at some point they realized that the former church would be the best fit for these purposes.

WINERY

"Church Winery" in Geneva

The South River Vineyard winery is located in a small century-old church. This is a quiet countryside place overlooking the vineyards. An open veranda was added to the church building, where visitors can taste wine, listen to music and warm themselves by an open fire.

There is another tasting room inside the church. The owners of the winery have preserved the original church pews, interior doors, flooring and stained glass windows.

THE CIRCUS

And St. Paul's Church in Bristol (England) was converted into circus training.

Find out which temples are admired by travelers

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• The most beautiful Gothic cathedrals - Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, Frankfurt

The largest cathedral in Frankfurt for several centuries of the Middle Ages served as the coronation site of German emperors and kings. The Gothic cathedral began to be built in the middle of the 13th century. The stunning beauty and grandeur of the building that we can see today is the result of two major reconstructions. The first was held after a fire in 1867, the second - after the devastating bomb attacks during World War II. The most valuable relic of the cathedral is the upper part of the skull of the Apostle Bartholomew, who since 1239 has been considered the patron saint of the cathedral.

• The Most Beautiful Gothic Cathedrals - Reims Cathedral, Reims

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The representative of the late French Gothic became a favorite place for the coronation of French kings. Construction began in 1211 and continued until 1481. The gigantic temple, 150 meters long, with two 80-meter towers, soars rapidly into the sky. The building, as it were, grows out of the ground, rising, tier by tier, splitting up with many lancet arches, steep triangular pediments, sharp pyramidal spiers. The Cathedral of Reims is the tallest cathedral in France. Reims Cathedral is richly decorated with sculpture. No wonder it is called the "kingdom of sculpture." Reliefs carved from stone almost completely cover its main facade. At the main entrance, the visitor is greeted by a statue of Our Lady, to whom the temple is dedicated.

• The Most Beautiful Gothic Cathedrals - Ulm Cathedral, Ulm

Religious buildings are often decorated with images of birds. Usually in the Christian tradition, these are either eagles, as a sign of the Lord, or doves, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Only in the city of Ulm, Germany, you can see the Gothic cathedral, decorated with statues of sparrows. These harmless birds have replaced predators on the roof of the cathedral not for some theological reason - it's just a kind of symbol of the city. Ulm Cathedral is the highest in Europe. The construction of the cathedral began in 1377 and was financed by the inhabitants of the city. As with many other large-scale construction projects, the process dragged on for a long time, and after another long stagnation, in 1543 the church became Lutheran, construction resumed, and in 1890 the spire was completed. The large Gothic spiers of the cathedral rise to a height of 161 meters. In addition to the tall spire, the cathedral is worth considering elegant carved oak choir stalls.

• The Most Beautiful Gothic Cathedrals - Chartres Cathedral, Chartres

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Chartres Cathedral is truly one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture. In 1979, the cathedral was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Chartres Cathedral is the first cathedral in French history dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Notre Dame de Chartres has survived to this day almost in its original form. The length of Chartres Cathedral is about 130 m, the height of the main arch of the nave from the floor is 36 m, the central and side naves together have a width of 32 meters with a transept of 45 meters wide. On the floor of the cathedral, a mysterious labyrinth dating back to 1205 is laid out in mosaic, which symbolizes the path of the believer to God.

• The Most Beautiful Gothic Cathedrals - Seville Cathedral, Seville

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Seville Cathedral or the Cathedral of Maria de la Sede (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) is a cathedral in the city of Seville (Spain), the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe. Built in 1401-1519 on the site of a former mosque left after the Reconquista. It has a length of about 116 meters and a width of 76 meters. The cathedral consists of five side aisles, a large main chapel. The total area is 11,520 square meters. The main entrance to the cathedral is located on the south side, where the tomb of Christopher Columbus is also located. The remains of Columbus have been repeatedly moved, so some suggest that due to the mistake of the carriers, the remains of not Christopher, but his son Diego, are in the Seville Cathedral. The cathedral houses many relics and treasures, including paintings by Murillo, Velasquez, de Zurbaran and Goya. Seville Cathedral is the third largest church in the world.
The Cathedral of Seville is also famous for its gilded iconostasis. It is believed to be one of the largest iconostases in the world, covering an area of ​​220 square meters and containing over 1,000 gilded figures. It is said that it took more than 30 tons of gold to build it! The iconostasis contains 45 scenes, or paintings, from the life of Christ and the Mother of God.

Early Christian architecture became the last period of ancient architecture, and differed from the previous one in the special organization of the internal space and the use of new fine art techniques.

The first Christian churches were officially erected in the 4th century and this process is associated with the name of Emperor Constantine.

They tried to make the place where God is glorified majestic and monumental, therefore many religious buildings were large. Consider the masterpieces of world architecture, and find out which is the largest Catholic cathedral.

Cologne Cathedral. Koln

The most beautiful cathedral in German Cologne was built in the classic Gothic style, inherent in the Middle Ages. The first stone in the foundation of the new building was laid in 1248, but the construction lasted for several centuries.

The Catholic shrine acquired its final form in the 80s of the XIX century. It was then that the spiers were completed, which shot up into the sky by 157 meters, which made the church one of the highest in the world.

One of the legends says that with the completion of the construction of the cathedral in Cologne, the end of the world will come, so the building is constantly being rebuilt, introducing new architectural elements.

In modern architecture, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Milan is considered the largest building erected from white marble. It is made in the classic flaming Gothic style, which is characterized by ornate elements and intricate ornamentation.

It was built over 5 centuries, and the first stone was laid back in 1386. The appearance of the temple is unique, and thousands of tourists come to enjoy the splendor of the building and its interior decoration.

In a country where Christian shrines are zealous, Prime Minister Berlusconi was once thrown with a model of the Milan Cathedral.

The Prague Church, built in honor of Christian saints, is considered the longest religious building of Catholicism. A masterpiece of architecture, a real pearl of the capital and a sample of the Gothic style.

Like many religious buildings, the Church of St. Vitus was built over a long time and repeatedly rebuilt. The interior is decorated with carved arches and many stained glass windows. The walls are painted by the best masters of Renaissance painting, and the columns are lined with beautiful mosaics.

Catholics from all over the world gather on the eve of Christian holidays to touch the shrines. Inside the temple there is a mausoleum and crypts where emperors, their wives and bishops rest.

European cathedrals are magnificent monuments of sacral architecture, unique in their kind, markedly different from non-religious buildings. They have different architectural styles, locations and different ages due to the long existence of the Christian religion. In this article we want to show you the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe!

10. Santa Maria del Fiore (Italy)

Santa Maria de Fiore is located in the Italian city of Florence. It is one of the most important architectural works in Europe and one of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals on the European continent. It has an impressive exterior covered in polychrome marble. Its construction was begun by order of the Signoria in 1296, under the direction of the architect Arnolfo di Cambio, and completed in 1368.

9. St. Peter's Basilica (Italy)

This most important religious temple of Catholicism and one of the most beautiful in Europe is located in the Vatican. Its construction, with the participation of such architects as Bramante, Michelangelo and Carlo Maderno, began in 1506 and ended in 1626. Inside is the tomb of not only the first pope - St. Peter, but also all other popes. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest in the world and has served as inspiration for the domes of many other churches.

8. Siena Cathedral (Italy)

The Gothic temple of the city of Siena in Italy was designed by the architect Giovanni Pisano and built between 1215 and 1263. Externally and internally, the temple is decorated with white and green marble, forming characteristic stripes. Black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena. Inside, among others, you can see the works of Niccolo Pisano and his son Giovanni, Donatello and Michelangelo.

7. Chartres Cathedral (France)

This beautiful temple is located 80 km from Paris, in the city of Chartres. Chartres Cathedral was a milestone in the development of the Gothic. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it is undoubtedly one of the most influential and beautiful cathedrals in Europe. He was the inspiration for many later buildings such as the Cathedral of Reims and Amiens.

6. Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

The majestic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the central building of the beautiful Praza do Obradoiro, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. It was built between 1075 and 1211 to house the relics of Saint James. This beautiful cathedral is a World Heritage Site, a mixture of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque styles, and for many it is not only one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain, but also in Europe.

5. Leon Cathedral (Spain)

The current Cathedral of León, built in the thirteenth century, is an ornate design in classic French Gothic style. It is known for having the largest collection of medieval stained glass in the world. These stained glass windows are constantly being restored, offering visitors a beautiful and unique spectacle.

4. Notre Dame (France)

The Gothic temple of Notre Dame was built between 1163 and 1245, being one of the most important monuments of Paris. It hosted such major events as the coronation of Napoleon, Henry VI and the beatification of Joan of Arc. One of the emblems of this beautiful temple is the formidable gargoyles at the top, which can be visited if you dare to climb the 387 steps to the tower.

3. Cologne Cathedral (Germany)

This beautiful cathedral is located in the heart of Cologne. This is a Gothic church, the construction of which began in 1248, and was completed only a few centuries later - in 1880. In 1996, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the most visited attraction in Germany. Cologne Cathedral, at 157 meters tall, was the tallest building in the world until the Washington Monument was erected in 1884.

The Gothic Milan Cathedral is undoubtedly considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Since its inception, it has become a symbol of the city. With its 157 meters in length and capacity for up to 40,000 people, it is also one of the largest temples among European countries. Inside the temple one can admire many altars, statues, paintings and altars.

1. St. Basil's Cathedral (Russia)

One of the most representative and delightful pearls of Russian history and architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow was solemnly consecrated on July 12, 1561. Its construction was initiated by Tsar Ivan the Terrible and lasted between 1555 and 1561. The temple consists of 9 churches. The tallest tower stands in the center and measures 47.5 m high. The original concept of the cathedral was to create a group of chapels, each dedicated to the saints on whose day the king won the battle. But the construction of the central tower united the gaps between them into one structure that can rightfully be called the most beautiful cathedral in Europe!