Chartres Cathedral and Bourges Cathedral initiated the two classic High Gothic styles. Chartres was imitated more, and it’s much better known. But Bourges Cathedral is
Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral is one of Europe’s most iconic buildings, and its creator planned it that way from the get go. Here are
Of all the Gothic cathedrals I visited, Notre Dame in Amiens was one of the most moving. I enjoyed it even more than Paris’s Notre Dame
Above is only a minute part of what the builders of Chartres Cathedral achieved. Come inside and we’ll explore one of the world’s finest artistic
It was the worst disaster imaginable. In 1194 a fire ravaged the city of Chartres, and all of its cathedral except the west facade burned to the
Germany created many of the best examples of Romanesque architecture. She stuck with the forms while people north of Paris developed Gothic Style and gave us
The first phase of the development of Gothic style was very cool because architects were experimenting with new forms without having a standard design yet.
What could be more perfect than Romanesque style’s simple geometrical order? The Romanesque arches rising towards the heavens at Saint Trophime in Arles, France (above) gave the
Romanesque style deserves more attention than it gets. Gothic style gets top billing among medieval buffs. But appreciate Romanesque cathedrals on their terms, and they’ll
After exploring the entrance facade of St. Denis in the last article, we’ll now venture inside. The person who spearheaded Gothic style, Abbot Suger, personally