Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

When one thinks of European architectural heritage, one will immediately think of European Gothic architecture - a spectacular style of building design that emerged in the late Middle Ages.

When one thinks of European architectural heritage, one will immediately think of European Gothic architecture - a spectacular style of building design that emerged in the late Middle Ages.

Gothic architecture is perhaps one of the most famous architectural styles in the world. This style quickly expanded in Europe due to its close association with the Catholic church and has held its ground for several centuries.

Between the 12th and 16th centuries, Gothic architecture swept through Europe, especially with religious institutions leading the way. Several important advances in architectural techniques became pivotal to the construction of Gothic buildings, especially the external wall supports and ribbed ceiling arches that allowed for the creation of extreme interiors impression

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Gothic Architecture in Europe

While the style was constantly reimagined throughout its centuries of dominance in European architecture, several key elements were common to Gothic architecture. The features and markings of the Gothic style make it an extremely important part of historic architecture and a lasting testament to human ingenuity.

10 most impressive Gothic buildings in Europe

     1. Notre Dame Cathedral – Paris, France

Located on the Île de la Cité island in the Seine, the massive Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most visited European Gothic buildings in the world.

Built over two centuries with the great support of the Catholic Church, it was one of the first buildings in the world to use what has become a staple of Gothic architecture: the flying buttress. , designed to visually open the nave by supporting the stone walls from the outside. Notre Dame displays the most famous example of this important feature of the Gothic style.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Notre Dame Cathedral

     2. Church of St. Stephen – Vienna, Austria

The European Gothic structure is the most recognizable building in Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral lies on the remains of an old Romanesque church, much of which burned down after a fire.

Around the remaining Roman columns were built the church we see today, including the iconic mosaic roof, massive south tower, and east-facing Gothic Albertine choir. The following Roman columns carry some sculptures, although they are actually replicas. To protect the originals, they are kept and displayed at the Vienna City History Museum

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Church of St. Stephen

     3. Wrocław Town Hall – Wrocław, Poland

The most prominent landmark on Market Square, the historic Wrocław town hall has served many functions for many years and today houses a museum, a restaurant and a Great Hall used for events. Although its current version dates from the 15th century, it was built, rebuilt and reused over two hundred years before that, having long been an integral part of city life. Wroclaw Street Poland.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Wrocław Town Hall

     4. Cologne Cathedral – Cologne, Germany

Cologne Cathedral or Kölnerdom is one of the most recognizable cathedrals in Europe, and a prime example of European Gothic architecture.

Still the seat of the Archdiocese of Cologne, it is the most visited landmark in Germany, sometimes welcoming up to 20,000 tourists in a single day. Its exterior is mainly composed of sandstone; Over the years, its surface has reacted with acidic rainwater to give the church the distinctive black, brown color you see today.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Cologne Cathedral

     5. Doge's Palace – Venice, Italy

The finest surviving example of Venetian Gothic architecture throughout northern Italy, the Doge's palace was once the residence of the rotating leaders of the Republic of Venice. Initial construction on the current repeat palace began around 1340, but over the centuries has undergone several additions, refurbishments and reconstructions to allow more space for expansion. government of the developing republic.

Today Venice is part of Italy, and the palace is now home to a museum that, in addition to displaying the palace's Gothic magnificence, holds a wealth of treasures that shed light on the history of the Republic of Venice.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Doge's Palace

     6. Church of St. Mary – Gdańsk, Poland

Although built on the site of a much smaller wooden church, St. Mary in Gdańsk got its current status thanks to Heinrich Ungeradin, an internationally renowned local architect.

By using signs from the brick Gothic churches of Northern Europe, it has become a symbol for the whole of Gdańsk and exhibits some important attributes of the genre, especially in the large nave. . The dome display on the ceiling is one of the best in Europe; By using two distinct styles – both ribbed arches and crystal arches – the designer was able to take advantage of even more of the visual appeal created by the impossibly high ceilings.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Church of St. Mary

     7 Church of Saint Bavo – Haarlem, Netherlands

Of all the buildings on this list, the Cathedral of Saint Bavo is the newest built. Started in the late 19th century and completed in 1930, it was designed by Joseph Cuypers in the Gothic-Revival style to mimic the smaller iterations of the church previously built on the site. This European Gothic structure also includes both Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance elements in its design, despite the cathedral's pointed, arched windows and a combination of roof styles. The arch is a clear indication of Neo-Gothic architecture in the Netherlands.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Church of Saint Bavo

     8. Basel Cathedral – Basel, Switzerland

In 1356, a major earthquake shook Basel, leveling its Romanesque cathedral. It took three different architects a total of 150 years to rebuild the Basel Minter, this restoration featuring an open nave, typical of Gothic churches in Europe at the time.

Iconic of the cathedral are the two southwest-facing towers, Georgsturm and Martinsturm, completed in 1429 and 1500 respectively. While the Basel Minster played an important role in the history of the area, the Its tower is an amazing miniature that can be seen from the skyline of the Swiss city of Basel.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Basilica Cathedral

     9. Corvin Castle – Hunedoara, Romania

Built on the same site as a former fortress, Corvin Castle resembles a fortress, enclosed within a double wall. Its majestic location on a hill overlooking the town of Hunedoara evokes a classic Transylvanian setting and attracts a lot of tourists for photography. It was originally commissioned by John Hunyadi in 1446 when he was the highest official of the Transylvanian province of the Kingdom of Hungary, and over the years it has served as a residence, prison and fortress, as well as Today, a tourist attraction looking for a Gothic structure in Europe

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Corvin Castle

     10. Batalha Monastery – Batalha, Portugal

Although officially known as the Convent of Saint Mary of Victory, Batalha Monastery, as it is more commonly known, was built after the Portuguese victory over the Castilian army at the Battle of Aljubarrota. It has served as the burial ground for generations of Portuguese royalty, its construction alone spanning the reigns of seven kings.

Top 10 most beautiful and majestic Gothic buildings in Europe

Batalha Monastery

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