Gothic cathedral - the grandeur of architectural medieval thought

Gothic style originates in France, where in the XII century he replaced the Romanesque. Later he embraced the whole of Western Europe, until the Renaissance, after four centuries, did not press him. Gothic style can be traced in all medieval works of art: painting, stained glass, book miniature, fresco and sculpture. But most fully he showed his greatness in church architecture. The Gothic cathedral of that era features a richly decorated facade, columns, multicolored stained-glass windows, arches with pointed tops, and characteristic narrow and tall towers. The walls and roofs are decorated with elegantly executed sculptures of mythical creatures. The most magnificent monuments of Gothic can be found on the territories of two European countries - France and Spain.

Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

This is the oldest part of the legendary city and the most popular area of tourists in Barcelona. To visit here and not to visit the pearl of the quarter - the cathedral Gothic cathedral (XIII-XV centuries) - this is blasphemy.

Walking along the winding streets of the quarter, you can see the remains of the Roman wall, the Basilica of La Mercesa, the ruins of the Palace of Octavian Augustus, the Gothic church of the XIV century Santa Maria del Pi and the Royal Palace, from where served the royal dynasty of Barcelona and the kings of Aragon. After viewing the ancient buildings, you can walk along the Royal Square and St. James Square. After exhausting, but such interesting excursions, the guests of the city are sent to the art cabaret "Four cats". It is famous not only for its history, but also for its world-famous visitors. They liked to visit Pablo Picasso with his friend Antonio Gaudi, Rusinol, Isaac Albeniz, Ramon Casas and Gonzalez.

Gothic cathedrals of France

The most significant works of medieval architectural art in France are the cathedrals of Chartres, Amiens, Angers, Reims and, of course, Paris. Historians believe that the very first gothic building was the church of Saint-Denis. Her project was created by the abbot Sugeri. During its construction, many supports and internal walls were eliminated. Thus the church became more graceful in comparison with the religious constructions of the Romanesque style, which are sometimes called "fortresses of God."

The Gothic Cathedral of Chartres, located 90 km from Paris, is built on the site of an older church, the property of which is the Holy Shroud of the Virgin Mary, which was kept since 876 - transferred to the Cathedral of Chartres Theotokos. The world-famous Reims cathedral tourists visit for two main reasons. Firstly, it is a representative of the high Gothic style of the times of its highest flowering, and secondly, this is the place where almost all the French monarchs were crowned for many centuries. The magnificent Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is not to be represented. He glorified the whole world with his work "The Cathedral of the Notre Dame" Victor Hugo in the first half of the century before last. The Temple of Reason, it was given to him in the time of the French Revolution, built several centuries. Every year, it is visited by 14 million people. Many of them seek to visit one of the main shrines of Christians around the world - the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, which is kept in the cathedral from August 18, 1239.