Gothic Art and Architecture
The Gothic period of medieval art and architecture flourished from the mid-12th century until the dawn of the Renaissance in the 16th century. The successor of the Romanesque style, Gothic architecture is characterized by vertical lines, high vaults, pointed arches, flying buttresses and large stained glass windows. Gothic art can be distinguished by the graceful poses of its figures and an increasing attention to realism. Below is an illustrated index of the 131 Gothic Art and Architecture profiled on Sacred Destinations so far. For photo credits, please see corresponding articles.
Commissioned by Charlemagne in 786 AD, Aachen's cathedral is the oldest in Northern Europe and contains several holy relics.
Built in the 13th century in the heart of Cathar country, Albi Cathedral is the largest brick building in the world. Perched high on a hill above the River Tarn, it looks more like a fortress than a cathedral.
Founded in 675 as part of an abbey, this church was built over a Roman building. Its proximity to the Tower of London gave it many royal and historic associations over the centuries.
Founded in 1432 to pray for souls in purgatory, All Souls College consists entirely of post-doctorate fellows. Its lovely chapel features a large stone-carved screen behind the altar.
Famed for its architecture and sculpture, Amiens Cathedral is the largest cathedral in France. With Chartres and Reims, it is one of three "High Gothic" French cathedrals built in the 13th century.
The highest spire in Hildesheim belongs to the Gothic Andreaskirche, begun in 1389 and rebuilt after war damage in 1956. Inside is a notable organ and the tower can be climbed for fine city views.
Located in the Loire Valley, Angers Cathedral is a unique mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It contains notable tapestries, sculptures and stained glass.
In this Protestant lecture hall, John Knox preached from 1556 to 1559 and John Calvin founded a Christian academy in 1559.
Augsburg's historic cathedral has the distinction of containing the oldest stained-glass windows in the world (12th century). The cathedral was begun in 944 AD.
Ávila's fortress-like cathedral was begun in the Romanesque style in the 12th century and later continued in the Gothic style, resulting in intriguing combination of styles and materials.
Originally a Saxon minster, this large parish church dates primarily from the 12th century. It has an attractive 13th-century spire and interesting Romanesque decorations.
Barcelona's 14th-century cathedral is a celebrated example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Its best feature is the cloister with lush gardens and, oddly, a gaggle of white geese.
This large Franciscan church was almost completely destroyed by WWII bombs. The nave remains in ruins but the restored choir has its 13th-century stained glass windows of St. Francis and medieval artifacts.
Filled with spectacular frescoes by Giotto, this church is Assisi's crowning glory. It is a place of pilgrimage for Francis devotees and art lovers alike.
This 13th-century church is the final resting place of St. Clare, the beloved friend of St. Francis and founder-abbess of the Order of the Poor Clares.
This early Gothic basilica has an elegant choir with fine Renaissance woodcarvings. It was built on the site of a 4th-century necropolis and contains some ancient Christian sarcophagi.
King Joao I founded this Dominican monastery after winning a major battle. The splendid edifice was constructed over two centuries in the Gothic and Manueline styles.
Once a cathedral, this spectacular cream-colored edifice now serves as the parish church of Bath. The interior is famed for its glorious fan vaulting.
Standing in imposing ruins next to cathedral in St Davids, Wales, this building's grandeur even after much neglect testifies to the power and wealth of St Davids in the Middle Ages.
This charming old church is well worth a visit for its Norman architecture and faded 13th-century murals of biblical scenes and saints.
This world-famous university library houses several important religious manuscripts and the beautiful, fan-vaulted Divinity School.
One of the finest and earliest Gothic cathedrals in France, with a unique transept-free plan, soaring side aisles, magnificent portal sculptures and a full collection of medieval stained glass windows.
The Monumental Cemetery was constructed in 1278 to house the sacred dirt brought back from Golgotha during the Crusades. It then became the burial place of the Pisan upper class.
Majestic architecture and venerable history are what bring most visitors to Canterbury Cathedral, but it is also full of wonderful details - from medieval stained glass to hidden Green Men.
The medieval stained glass windows in Canterbury Cathedral are among the oldest and finest in Europe, dating from 1180 AD to the 13th century. And they have recently been beautifully restored.
This active Cistercian monastery southeast of Rome dates from the 13th century. Its austere church has delicate columns, vaulted ceilings, small stained-glass windows and a lovely cloister.
On the door of this church in 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses against the sale of indulgences - and launched the Reformation. The church contains the tombs of Luther, Melanchthon and Frederick the Wise.
In this historic cathedral you can see the pulpit from which John Calvin preached the Reformation, examine interesting carved capitals, and climb the tower for spectacular views.
This Oxfordshire church is famed for its medieval frescoes dating from c.1330. Narrating the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary, the murals are one of the most complete sets in England.
One of the greatest achievements in the history of architecture, Chartres Cathedral is almost perfectly preserved in its original medieval design, from its famed portal sculptures to glowing stained glass.
The stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral are some of the oldest, most extensive and beautiful windows in Europe, dating from as early as the 1140s AD.
Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex has been described as "the most typical English cathedral." It has Norman arcades in the nave and choir along with much Early English Gothic architecture.
The 15th-century parish church in Oxfordshire is notable for its impressive Gothic nave, funded by the lucrative Cotswolds wool trade. It also has a unique hexagonal porch featuring Green Men.
The official church of the university, St. Mary's has seen many historic sermons over the centuries and holds regular services today. Climb the tower for spectacular views of the city.
Cirencester Parish Church is the largest parish church in Gloucestershire, funded by the thriving wool trade of the 13th century.
In this twin-towered Gothic church, Luther preached the Reformation, was married (1525) and baptized his six children. Inside, Cranach's huge Reformation Altar includes scenes of Christ and Luther.
Located in the Auvergne region of central France, Clermont Cathedral is a striking Gothic edifice made of black lava stone. Inside it has beautiful medieval stained glass windows, frescoes, and an old crypt.
This excellent museum of medieval art is housed in an abbot's mansion. Beneath the museum are ruins of ancient Roman baths.
This is easily the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany and it has been Cologne's most famous landmark for centuries. Once the tallest building in the world, it still has the largest facade anywhere.
This partially ruined Carmelite convent was Lisbon's largest until it was severely damaged in the 1755 earthquake. Today open-air summer orchestral concerts are held beneath its majestic archways.
Dryburgh Abbey is a ruined 12th-century abbey located on the Tweed River in the Borders region of Scotland. It is the final resting place of Sir Walter Scott.
This Gothic cathedral with Romanesque parts is an impressive edifice that uses its unique sloping site to full advantage. Inside are many important art masterpieces.
This bulky, Romanesque-Gothic cathedral is notable for its impressive medieval architecture, Gothic apostle statues, fine cloister, and rich treasury.
Considered the finest example of Decorated Gothic architecture anywhere, Exeter Cathedral was built mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries but also includes two stout Norman towers.
An exceptionally harmonious and well-preserved church in the Cotswolds. Funded by a wool merchant and consecrated in 1497, it boasts the most complete set of medieval glass remaining in Britain.
This magnificent cathedral is notable for its giant dome, designed by Brunelleschi in 1436, its stripy exterior and its splended baptistery. Inside, the Duomo is a veritable museum of Renaissance art.
Begun in 1163, Fossanova is considered a magnificent example of Cistercian architecture, reflecting that of Clairvaux.
Founded by Cistercian monks in 1132, this is the largest monastic ruin in Britain. It offers many interesting things to see in a beautiful natural setting.
Built in the 13th century over an earlier church, this small edifice next to the cathedral is interesting for its venerable age and mixture of styles. The semicircular choir features elaborate vaults and nine chapels.
Built over an abbey church founded in 835, this 13th-century church is known for its elegant spire and Marc Chagall windows.
Martin Luther was a choir boy at St. George's Church and later preached here 1521; Bach was baptized here in 1685.
Shrouded in mystery and legend, Glastonbury Abbey is a highly atmospheric ruin on one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. Its buildings are fine examples of Norman architecture.
This conical hill, topped by a 14th-century church tower, may have been a place of ancient ritual and it was a place of penance and pilgrimage for Catholics in medieval times.
Founded in 1100 as a Norman abbey church, this cathedral has a huge medieval stained glass window and an elegant interior. Here William I ordered the Domesday Book and Harry Potter was filmed.
This fine parish church in Oxfordshire is exceptionally large for the size of its village. It has features ranging in date from about 1200 to 1400.
Founded in 1010, the cathedral of Hildesheim contains many treasures of early medieval art, including bronze doors carved with biblical scenes and a bronze column showing the life of Christ.
Since medieval times, the Santa Casa di Loreto has been believed to be the very home in which the Virgin Mary lived and raised the young Jesus. A large basilica was built around the small shrine, which attracts 4 million visitors each year.
Located on high ground, the cross-shaped Highlands Church was founded in the 14th century. Although emptied of its art by Calvinists, its elegant architecture and tombstones are worth seeing.
This 14th-century parish church is the oldest building in Pest. Built on the site of an earlier church and a Roman fortress, it still contains a mihrab from the Turkish occupation.
An impressive example of Manueline architecture, this spectacular monastery showcases the wealth that poured into Lisbon from the colonies during the Age of Discovery.
This Late Gothic chapel is famed for its fine architecture, its rare early 16th-century windows, exquisite fan vaulting, a Renaissance wooden screen, and Rubens altarpiece.
Laon Cathedral is notable for its imposing towers, its beautiful Gothic architecture, and its importance as a major stop on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago.
This pretty 13th-century parish church was one of the first Gothic churches built in Germany. It stands right next door to the cathedral.
Lincoln Cathedral is one of the most impressive cathedrals in England, with a cliff-like facade and tall towers than can be seen from miles away.
The Church of All Saints in Little Kimble, Buckinghamshire, is a pleasant little church with fragments of 14th-century wall paintings.
This church with a stout facade is the seat of the highest-ranking archbishop in France. Built from 1180 to 1480, it combines both Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Begun in 1209, this was the first Gothic cathedral in Germany and it is the tallest cathedral in the East Germany. Inside it shelters the grave of Otto I the Great.
An attractive Protestant church on the east side of Berlin, St. Mary's Church houses a 15th-century fresco of "The Dance of Death" and other artworks.
Officially named the Church of Our Lady, this famous landmark in Budapest's Castle District is better known as Matthias Church after a beloved 15th-century king.
This Cistercian abbey south of Edinburgh was founded in 1136 and is now in picturesque ruins. It said to enshrine the heart of Robert the Bruce.
Founded in 1264, Merton College is the oldest college and its buildings are among the most interesting in Oxford. The large 14th-century chapel has plentiful medieval stained glass.
Milan Cathedral is a elaborate and spiky Gothic edifice on the main square in the city center. It is the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world. And you can walk on the roof!
A sacred cave and popular Catholic shrine near San Giovanni Rotundo. Here the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in 490, 492 and 1656 and consecrated the shrine himself.
This Late Gothic cathedral was begun in 1434. It has a higher ceiling than the Notre-Dame de Paris and a splendid Renaissance tomb.
Located next to the Archbishop's Palace on the main square, Narbonne Cathedral was begun in 1272 and never finished.
Built 1070-1300, this is the largest medieval building in Scandinavia and the most important church in Norway.
One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, this Gothic beauty is a must-see for its historical importance and magnificent artworks.
Constructed throughout most of the 13th century, this attractive church represents the period of transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles. It contains the tombs of several Belgium notables.
Dating from 1270, this is Europe's oldest active synagogue. According to legend, angels brought stones from King Solomon's Temple to build the synagogue, and the same angels still protect it.
Begun in 1153 in a Romanesque style and completed in the 1300s in the Gothic style, the Battistero di San Giovanni is the largest in Italy. Among its notable furnishings are a large central font and a Pisano pulpit.
Built in 1292, the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew has the tallest spire in the Czech Republic at 100m (333 ft). Inside, a beautiful marble Madonna of 1390 graces the main altar.
The twin-towered Cathérale St-Pierre was founded in 1162 and completed two centuries later. It has a fine Gothic west front and some early stained glass.
Located inside Prague Castle, the striking Cathedral of St. Vitus has a long history that extends from its founding in the 10th century to its final completion in 1929.
Built in the 1300s on the site of earlier cathedrals, this is the finest Gothic building in Bavaria. Its harmonious exterior is alive with medieval sculptures and inside is medieval stained glass.
The kings of France were once crowned in this 13th-century High Gothic cathedral, which is full of sculptures inside and out.
Founded by St. Bernard of Clairvaux in 1132, Rievaulx Abbey now lies in picturesque ruins in a North Yorkshire valley.
Located about 100 miles north of Toulouse, Rocamadour is a spectacular natural and religious site perched high on a rocky plateau that receives 1.5 million visitors each year.
These striking hilltop ruins include a 12th-century royal chapel, cathedral and round tower, plus some fine high crosses in the churchyard.
This remarkable chapel south of Edinburgh is famous for its unique decorative art and its mysterious associations with the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail and the Freemasons.
Rouen's Cathedral has many fine features, but is especially famous for two things: the highest spire in France, a cast-iron tour-de-force erected in 1876; and Claude Monet's many paintings of its facade.
This 15th-century church overlooking a Roman temple has a number of interesting features, including 18th-century tiles and an Arabian cistern. The convent is has been transformed into a hotel.
Famed for its stained glass, this beautiful 13th-century Gothic chapel was built by King Louis IX as a royal chapel to house important relics of Christ.
This Romanesque and Gothic church dates mostly from the 11th century, but is built over an ancient church. It contains the tomb of the city's patroness, Queen Radegunda, and some painted capitals.
This 13th-century cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England, an elaborately sculptured west front, a beautiful chapter house with a copy of the Magna Carta, and a unique tower tour.
This huge, austere Dominican church dates from the 13th century. Inside, it displays much beautiful art as well as the head and finger of St. Catherine of Siena.
Located near the cathedral, this is the oldest church in Madrid (13th century). Its bell tower is the oldest structure in the city (12th century) and may have been part of a mosque.
This is the principal Franciscan church of Florence, best known for its Florentine artwork and the tombs of illustrious dead such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.
The beautiful Catalan-Gothic church of St. Mary of the Sea dates from the 1320s. Built to commemorate the conquest of Sardinia, it was intended to symbolize the maritime supremacy of the Kingdom of Aragon.
This 14th-century Catalan Gothic church stands at the heart of three picturesque little plazas. Named for a pine tree (pi in Catalan) that once stood nearby, it boasts a huge rose window.
A Franciscan church built in 1330, I Frari is best known for its masterpieces by Titian and other artists.
Said to be Rome's only Gothic church, this 13th-century basilica was built over a temple to Minerva. It contains many art treasures and the venerated tomb of St. Catherine of Siena.
The pretty little Gothic chapel of the Holy Trinity in Sedlec, a suburb of Kutna Hora, is built over an ossuary that is decorated with more than 40,000 artfully arranged human skeletons.
Located next door to the cathedral, this church has a distinctive triple-towered east end and a celebrated monumental tomb by the Master of St. Severus.
This Catholic shrine consists of a series of chapels built on the site of St. Catherine of Siena's family home, where she was born and lived much of her remarkable life.
Siena's cathedral is considered one of the great examples of Italian Gothic architecture, with black-and-white stripes, beautifully decorated floors and many art masterpieces.
This recently-discovered room beneath the Duomo has a wonderful series of 13th-century frescoes adorning its walls.
The Church of St. James in South Leigh, Oxfordshire, mostly dates from the 15th century. It is notable for its beautiful 15th-century wall paintings depicting the Last Judgment, saints, and other themes.
Once the largest and most important church in Scotland, St Andrew's Cathedral (1160-1318) now lies in picturesque ruins overlooking the North Sea. Its museum contains important medieval artifacts.
St Mary Steps is a Late Gothic parish church with some Norman remains. Located just inside the Roman city wall near the old west gate, it is best known for the interesting old clock on its tower.
Built from 1478 to 1519, Great St. Mary's (as it is also called) is the primary parish church of Cambridge as well as the university church. It played a significant role in English Reformation history.
The imposing Basilique St-Denis is notable for its early Gothic architecture and its history as a burial site of French monarchs.
This church stands on the site of an abbey founded by Clovis and dedicated to Geneviève, the patroness of Paris. It still receives pilgrims today.
Located next to the Abbaye aux Hommes are the handsome ruins of Old St-Etienne, a large church destroyed in World War II.
This 11th-century church on the north side of town originally belonged to a Benedictine monastery. The exterior features a Romanesque apse topped with a Gothic chancel and flying buttresses.
Just across this street from the cathedral and surrounded by half-timbered buildings is this fine Gothic church, rebuilt 1437-1521. It is best known for its finely carved wooden doors from the 16th century.
Originally the church of a Benedictine abbey, St-Ouen is larger than the cathedral and more harmonious in its Gothic architecture. Joan of Arc was sentenced to death in its cemetery in 1431.
St. Peter's Church in Caen is a splendid example of the transition between Gothic and Renaissance forms. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, it was expanded in the early 16th century.
Dedicated to a 6th-century abbot from Poitiers, the Church of St. Porchaire is a Carolingian foundation with a Romanesque tower and Late Gothic interior.
Founded in 1321 by Carmelite monks, this fine Gothic church went on play a role in the history of the Reformation. It is notable for its fine works of art and its Luther museum.
These two churches form the most attractive ecclesiastical compound in Augsburg. Constructed around 1500 over a Roman temple, one is Catholic and the other is Protestant.
Begun in 1284, Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral has been described as a "pinky-red angel hovering over the city."
This hilltop monastery in Subiaco enshrines the sacred cave in which St. Benedict lived as a hermit before he organized his first monastic community. Its church is covered in beautiful Gothic frescoes.
This 12th-century Norman church, known for its rare round shape and its role in The Da Vinci Code, was built by the Knights Templar and contains several fascinating details.
This massive Gothic cathedral is brimming with art treasures, including several El Grecos, a 10-foot-high gilded monstrance, and carved altarpieces that stretch to the ceiling.
Dedicated to the first bishop of Tours, this mostly Gothic cathedral was built at a leisurely pace from 1170 to 1547. Notable features include elaborately decorated west towers and medieval stained glass.
Ulm Münster is the tallest church in the world and the finest Gothic church in Germany. Now Protestant, the church has dominated the region for hundreds of years.
The Domkyrka of Uppsala is the largest cathedral in Scandinavia. The twin-spired, rose-hued Gothic structure stands nearly 400 feet tall. Inside are the relics of St. Erik, tombs of notables and a small museum.
Founded in the 13th century on the site of a mosque, the unusual Valencia Cathedral incorporates a number of architectural styles and artistic treasures - including the Holy Grail!
This former abbey church is the national church of Britain, used for coronations and filled with important tombs and monuments.
Founded by a Saxon princess, this abbey hosted an important council and was powerful throughout the Middle Ages. It now an evocative ruin on a hilltop overlooking the North Sea.
The largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps, York Minster has breathtaking proportions - its stained glass window is the size of a tennis court.
