Pointed arches in Gothic architecture…

 The architectural innovations of the Romans were used for

large public buildings for centuries. In Europe, about 1150 CE,
the Gothic architectural style began to develop.

 The use of pointed arches appeared, rather than rounded

ones. The pointed arch is not semicircular, but rather it rises
more steeply to a point at its top.

 The height of a rounded arch is determined by its width, but

the height of a pointed arch can readily be extended by
straightening the curves upwards into a point, with the weight
of the ceiling descending much more directly down the wall.

 Pointed arches produced an effect of amazing height and

space inside Gothic churches.
Amiens Cathedral, France, begun
1220.

Look at the incredible sense of

height achieved by using the
pointed arch. Pointed arches
were primarily used in Gothic
architecture, both in arcades,
and in long complicated barrel
vaults, as seen here.
This type of vaulting in Gothic
architecture is referred to as rib
vaults.
The need for flying buttresses…

 All arches tend to spread outward, creating the risk

of collapse. Early on, Romans learned to support
the sides of the arch to counteract this lateral thrust.

 In the great French cathedrals, the support was

provided by building a series of arches on the
outside of the building, whose thrusts would
balance out and counteract the outward force of
the large interior arches.
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris,
1211-1290.

Look how the flying buttresses

support the outside Cathedral
walls, but at the same time they
appear light and delicate. They do
not let the viewer focus on how
heavy the stone is, because they
do not appear bulky.

Flying buttresses also allow for more

windows to be used, because
there is more open space on the
outside walls. This results in stone
churches, with stone roofs that
have an incredible sense of light
inside.