Majestic and mysterious, the Gothic style became a vivid symbol of European architecture of the Middle Ages. It combines the severity of stone, the lightness of glass and the brightness of stained glass colors.
Pointed towers directed upward, weightless semi-arches, strict vertical columns and even window openings pointed upward - all this demonstrates humanity’s desire for the heavenly, sublime, and beyond.
Gothic style in architecture - Chartres Cathedral (France)
Main features of Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture can be easily recognized by the following features:
- pointed stone arches and semi-arches (flying buttresses);
- narrow towers directed upward;
- wrought iron spiers on the roof;
- extended stained glass windows with a pointed top;
- “rose” in the center of the facade;
- a large number of decorative elements (archivolts, impergi, tympanums);
- all parts of the structure tend upward, emphasizing the vertical.
History of style
Historians attribute the development and prosperity of the Gothic architectural movement to the Middle Ages (XII-XVI centuries). The north of France is considered the birthplace of the style, from where it gradually spread throughout Europe.
Gothic came to replace it, gradually displacing it.
First, the new direction demonstrates itself in the architecture of buildings (monasteries, temples and churches) that have a cult or religious affiliation. Over time, the Gothic style extended to civil buildings (palaces, houses, administrative buildings).
Gothic in modern construction
Currently, against the backdrop of the trend towards creating comfortable conditions for country living, the requirements for the architectural design of buildings are constantly becoming more complex.
One of the popular trends in this area has become the Gothic style, which gives a lot interesting ideas. But it is worth noting that it is not suitable for everyone. 
Cottage in gothic style
- This is an exclusive item, made to order by an individual owner. Moreover, you need to be prepared for the fact that such a building will always be the center of attention.
Materials for construction in the Gothic style
To build a modern house in the Gothic style, it is not at all necessary to build a life-size medieval castle. It is enough just to adhere to the canons that give the desired stylistic direction.
The main material for building houses in the Gothic style is natural stone. However, if necessary, it can be replaced with more affordable materials (bricks, blocks). And decorative plaster and panels imitating stone will help give the facade the appropriate appearance.
The first thing that attracts attention in Gothic-type buildings is the complex, high, multi-pitched roof, directed towards the sky. It is harmoniously complemented by attic and dormer windows, as well as spire-shaped and dome structures resembling turrets (pinnacles). 
Given the significant angle of inclination, tiles (metal or bitumen) are most often used as roofing material.
To visually increase the height and enhance the vertical orientation, an important part of the external decor are pointed forged elements.
Facade
The main characteristics of the Gothic style façade are:
Gothic colors
The key color of the Gothic style is traditionally considered to be purple, personifying the unity of the earthly (blood red) and heavenly (blue). Nowadays, in soft, restrained colors, it is used mainly for roofing.
Solid, discreet shades of light gray, clay brown, and camouflage green are suitable for facades.
The main colors of stained glass in the Gothic style are red, blue and yellow.
Expressive contrasts are created by using white or black colors.
Decorative elements
The Gothic architectural style is characterized by the use of numerous decorative elements. These can be bas-reliefs, small sculptures, pilasters, balustrades (fences), stylized forged decorations.
Moreover, heavy and massive plaster parts, characteristic of medieval castles, are now being successfully replaced by lighter analogues made of façade polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam with an appropriate coating.
Gothic style houses - photos
Gothic architecture - video
Advanced construction technologies make the construction of buildings in the Gothic style more affordable thanks to a wide selection of facing materials and the possibility of replacing natural stone with more affordable analogues.
Modern buildings in the Gothic style are distinguished by their originality and abundance of light, which deprives them medieval gloom and ensures a comfortable stay.
The most famous architectural structures in the Gothic style
France:
Chartres Cathedral, XII-XIV centuries.
Reims Cathedral, 1211-1330.
Cathedral of Amiens, 1218-1268.
Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris, 1163-14th century
Cathedral of Bourges, 1194
Germany:
Cologne Cathedral, 1248-19th century.
Münster Cathedral in Ulm, 1377-1543.
England:
Canterbury Cathedral XII-XIV centuries.
Westminster Abbey Cathedral XII-XIV centuries, London.
Salisbury Cathedral 1220-1266
Cathedral of Exter 1050
Lincoln Cathedral, 16th century.
Cathedral in Gloucester XI-XIV centuries.
Czech Republic:
Cathedral of St. Vitus 1344-1929
Italy:
Palazzo Doge of the 14th century.
Milan Cathedral 1386-19th century
Ca Doro in Venice, 15th century.
Spain:
Cathedral of Girona 1325-1607
Cathedral in Palma on the island of Mallorca 1426-1451.
Norway:
Cathedral in Trondheim 1180-1320.
Denmark:
Cathedral of St. Canute in Odense XIII-XV centuries.
Sweden:
Church in Vadstena 1369-1430
There will be a series on different styles. Today:
Gothic(French gothique, German gotisch, Italian gotico from Latin gotthus and Greek gothos) - a direction in the development of culture of the 12th-15th centuries. The style, which originated in France and is distinguished by its sophistication, replaced the Romanesque style and, gradually losing its pronounced national coloring, became a pan-European direction in art. Gothic - the crown of the Middle Ages, a complex style psychological state- majestic and graceful, dark and mystical.
Special role in Gothic style, it was devoted to lighting - a symbol of divine light. Stained glass windows, elongated arched windows, and play with glass and light created a certain psychological atmosphere. Wealth without pomp, royal grandeur and a model of grace and craftsmanship. Expression, a symphony of light, stone and glass...
Neo-Gothic in the interior, modern reading historical style - these are huge windows and panoramic glazing, multi-color stained glass windows, lighting effects, decoration of door and window openings, ceiling-high fireplaces with masonry, artificially aged furniture, pointed shapes and dominant verticality. Gothic furniture is dark and of impressive size. Wooden sideboards with high legs, tall massive cabinets with hinged doors, beds and chairs with high backs, chests, impressive-sized beds with canopies. Fabrics for decoration with gold thread or a beautiful printed pattern, small golden ornaments (months, trefoils, stars).
Gothic castles - even from the ruins of Gothic castles, they simply attract tourists and spouses:
Gothic style walls cease to be functional element, they become airy, light, they are lined with wood or painted with a scattering of exotic bright flowers, they are decorated with wall paintings.
In the Gothic style in the interior, what is important is not so much the colors used (Purple, violet, ruby, ocher, as well as all shades of blue, green, blue-black, carnation pink, silver and gold threads) and natural materials (marble, stone and wood), as much as their compatibility and stylistic unity with the design of interior spaces, the harmony of ancient objects with modern ones. The tiled and plank floors of early Gothic interiors were later covered with carpets.
The interior in the Gothic style is given gloom and mystery by gray stone and dull ocher of dark wood, red-raspberry colors of fabrics and dark green shades of textiles.
Materials in the Gothic style interior
In the Middle Ages, wooden panels of a certain limited height were used to decorate walls in the Gothic style. And the stone walls were painted with water paints. A special detail of the interior, decorated in the Gothic style, is the fireplace. The fireplace hood often reached the ceiling, was decorated with shelves, and household items were placed on them - kitchen utensils, dishes.
Quite often, colored trees were used as materials in Gothic style - walnut and oak, pine and spruce, juniper and larch, cedar. Wood, stone and bone carvings were and still are especially popular in Gothic interiors. Inherent in the Gothic style in the interior are ceramics, metal products, handicrafts made of glass. At the same time, metal products were decorated with enamel paintings and stones, and natural coarse fabrics were also used in the decoration of the walls.
But most of all it corresponds to Gothic and, as it were, emphasizes the features of this style - metal. Openwork, graceful structures directed upwards, from which the coldness of the highest mysterious spheres simply emanates - this is what metal is in a Gothic interior. Medieval architects could achieve such an effect from stone, but such an effect is only possible on the scale of gigantic structures. In small ones, only metal can achieve this unique effect.
Furniture in a Gothic interior
Furniture in the Gothic interior, church utensils made of silver, gold and gilded silver, as well as ivory and wood, exactly repeated the Gothic compositions in miniature architectural structures and their unusual, characteristic decorative details. Almost every piece of Gothic furniture has an ecclesiastical past, that is, these items were originally ecclesiastical. Most importantly, the wooden furnishings were very, very unattractive. But this is so characteristic of Gothic, since very often in wardrobes and on beds one could find various elements of fortress castles and details of the architecture of churches, down to such details as embrasures and towers.
In short, Gothic furniture is quite simple. These are various screens and shelves, trunk trunks on cast iron staves, which often served as beds, huge carved cabinets with carvings self made for books that repeated the motifs of the room’s windows in the form of arcades. And the chairs installed on the podiums, with carved, twisted columns in the corners, with a luxurious canopy that protects from drafts, can be considered a real work of art.
In principle, furniture in the Gothic style is heavy and awkward, and somewhere copies the main details from church architecture. Typical furniture products are sideboards with high legs with carved doors and cabinets, as well as double-door wardrobes with four and even six and nine panels.
These Gothic benches are 600 years old! : 
Accessories and decor in a Gothic interior
Characteristic details are slender columns reaching upward, vaults of complex shapes, openwork carved ornaments, lancet vaults and rose-shaped windows, window glass with a lead border, without curtains, but made of convex glass. Paintings were very rarely used to decorate rooms. Colorful stained glass windows, Gothic “roses”, decorated sculpture - all these details speak of the unusual, special role of color in those times. Floors made of ceramic tiles or planks of the early Gothic interior were later covered with carpets, on which there were images of coats of arms, hunting scenes, and allegorical images.
Tiled mosaics and incredibly beautiful majolica were used in Gothic interior design for room decoration, and chests were often covered with tanned leather, and on top of the leather for decoration were rich bronze and iron fittings and turned bars. And on the ceilings there was figured stucco, quite often covered with gilding and painted.
The main Gothic ornament is arches and elements of vegetation, grape leaves and maple leaves. Gothic-style dishes were made of dark glass, with long necks and thin, graceful handles.
IN pure form It is quite problematic to reproduce the Gothic style in a modern interior, but elements of the Gothic style are used both in apartments and in the interior design of country houses. A wrought-iron spiral staircase, pointed stained glass windows soaring upward - all this is harmoniously combined with decorative artificial stone masonry. To finish the base of the walls and the fireplace area, stones are used that imitate smooth cobblestone, rough limestone or expressive wild stone.
The Gothic effect, the “castle” effect, can be created in the interior by framing door portals or window openings with artificial stone. A very interesting impression is created through the play of contrasts - colors and textures. The technique of the so-called “blemney” is very popular and widespread, when part of the wall exposes ancient stone masonry.
A special stylistic direction to the interior of modern apartments in the Gothic style is given by stained glass windows used in the traditional Gothic color scheme, while stained glass windows can be used almost anywhere - on blank walls with internal lighting, as well as on windows - a traditional place, in the design of doors and cabinets . An excellent accent in a modern apartment decorated in the Gothic style would be a fireplace or tiled stove, with spectacular Gothic-style details tending upward.
In the Gothic style, the flourishing of guild crafts was at its peak, stone and wood carvings, small ivory sculptures, ceramics and glassmaking, forging, decorated with enamels and stones.
An important element of the Gothic room is the huge high windows, which seemed to replace the walls and occupy the entire space between the supports. The Gothic style windows were decorated with colorful, bright stained glass windows. And the entire interior, thanks to the stained glass windows, was saturated with an unusually beautiful, mysterious light, colored in different colors rainbows, and multi-colored highlights sliding along the walls of the room.
Below are photos of the interior decoration of recently restored Scottish castles:
Cute and neglected-fabulous.
And this castle has already been renovated in Gothic + Baronet style.
Another restored medieval castle:
If you set out to find the ruins of castles and restore them to any style: Gothic, Baronet, Victorian or Georgian, perhaps not best country in the world for this noble cause than Scotland.
And there are a lot of ruins here, and medieval castles that have already been restored into hotels or museums - there are thousands!
In these Community articles: modern renovations in Scottish castles restored to life now. The next one shows a Victorian Gothic interior:
rel= Castles in Europe have been built over many centuries. The owners of these architectural masterpieces were both cruel rulers, such as Count Dracula, and romantic dreamers, for example, Ludwig II, who built Neuschwanstein Castle. We present to your attention a rating of the most beautiful castles in Europe.
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Castles in Europe have been built over many centuries. The owners of these architectural masterpieces were both cruel rulers, such as Count Dracula, and romantic dreamers, such as Ludwig II, who built Neuschwanstein Castle. In their domains, the kings not only rested after a successful hunt, but also took refuge from enemies. Today, only a small number of castles are inhabited by descendants of noble families, while the rest of the castles have cinemas and museums. We present to your attention a rating of the most beautiful castles in Europe.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The most fabulous and luxurious castle today is the German Neuschwanstein, which translates as “New Swan Cliff”. Located in the southwest of Bavaria, near the city of Fussen, the castle was built in 1883 by the romantic King Ludwig II. The castle was erected on the site of two fortresses, on top of a high cliff. Ludwig II dreamed of his castle from a young age, but only at the end of his life was he able to realize his old dream. The king ordered the rock to be blown up to free up a site for the construction of his “fairytale palace.” Construction of the castle began in 1869 and continued until 1886, although the castle was never completed. Ludwig II spared no expense on the construction, so the best sculptors, architects, painters and woodcarvers worked on the construction and decoration of the castle. To this day, Neuschwanstein can be said to be floating in the clouds, and its fabulous appearance and luxury of interiors amaze the imagination.There is an opinion that it was Neuschwanstein Castle that was used as the basis for the construction of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris.
2. Pena Castle, Portugal
Pena Castle, built in the style of European romanticism, is one of the main decorations of Portugal. The palace is located near the city of Sintra on the top of a hill overlooking the sea. Previously, on the site of the modern castle, there was a medieval chapel dedicated to Lady Pena. The chapel was built in the 15th century after the Virgin Mary appeared to King John II. Later, 18 monks built a small monastery near the chapel. However, in the 18th century the building was severely damaged by lightning and an earthquake. However, it was only in the 19th century that King Ferdinand II of Portugal decided to build a summer residence on the ruins of the monastery. Ludwig von Eschwege, the architect of the project, used different architectural styles in the construction of the castle - Manueline, Gothic, Renaissance, Oriental and Moorish styles. Ferdinand and the queen made changes to the project throughout the 12 years of construction. In the park around the castle, there are not only European plants and shrubs, but also exotic species.
3. Chenonceau Castle, France
The luxurious French castle of Chenonceau is located in the Loire River valley. Due to the fact that the castle was mainly owned by ladies, it is popularly called "ladies' castle". On the site of the modern castle there was once a fortress of the de Marc family, surrounded by water canals. However, in 1512, Thomas Boyer, the court intendant of King Francis I, bought the de Marc estate and in its place erected a castle, which to this day delights many tourists with its unique beauty. However, Thomas Boyer retained the donjon, which once belonged to the de Marcks. The first owner of the Chenonceau castle was Thomas Boyer's wife, Catherine. After her, Diana de Poitiers, the favorite of King Henry II, ruled the castle, but after the death of the king, his wife, Catherine de Medici, took possession of the castle. Each of the mistresses of the castle contributed to the creation of its current image. Currently, the owners of the Chateau de Chenonceau are the Meunier family. There is a museum in the castle wax figures, where you can see its famous owners, as well as their famous guests, such as Rousseau and Voltaire.
4. Castle of Usset, France
Another one of the most beautiful castles in the Loire River valley is the Usset castle; according to some sources, it was he who was taken as the basis by Charles Perrault when creating the castle of the sleeping beauty. The castle was built on the instructions of Count D'Usset back in the 15th century. However, already in 1485, the owners of the castle sold it to the king’s courtier, Jacques d’Epinay. The next owner of the castle, Vauban, built a huge park with a terrace around the palace. Also in different times The castle was owned by royalists, and even by François René de Chateaubriand and Voltaire. The famous owners of the castle are also remembered interior decoration. For example, wine is still stored in the cellars, which is made from the rare Chenin Blanc grape variety, growing only in the town"Belvedere". And in the castle stables there is a museum of furniture and horse-drawn carriages that once belonged to great medieval families. Also, the interiors of the Usse castle are decorated with gold, silk and forged elements.
5. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Prague Castle is not only one of the most beautiful castles Eastern Europe, but also the largest in the world. The history of the castle began with a small church built here in the 9th century. Several centuries later, a palace in the Romanesque style grew up around it, and already in the 14th century the palace was rebuilt for the king into a Gothic castle. After another fairly long period of time, a terrible fire destroyed most of the fortress. Then, buildings in the Renaissance style were erected on its territory. Currently, there are many museums on the territory of Prague Castle; you will need a lot of time to visit them all.
6. Levenburg Castle, Germany
In the German city of Kassel there is an equally beautiful Levenburg (or Lviv) castle. And although he doesn't have beautiful story, is in great demand among tourists. Construction of the castle, which began at the end of the 18th century, ended at the turn of the century, in 1800. The castle is made in a medieval style and has a drawbridge over a moat filled with water. However, the interior of the castle also shows the traditions of the Middle Ages. Levenburg Castle is decorated with bronze statues, there are weapons and armor, an altar and gambling tables. Although outwardly the castle looks like a castle from the 14th-15th centuries that survived many battles. However, this is only an appearance, and artificially created. Not far from the castle there is a huge armory room containing exhibits dating back to the 17th and 17th centuries. There is also a chapel with the grave of the creator of Levenburg Castle.
7. Glamis Castle, UK
Located in Great Britain, Glamis Castle is not only one of the most beautiful in Europe, but also shrouded in a veil of mystery and many mysteries. According to several legends, ghosts can be found in the castle premises. Externally, the castle looks majestic and calm. Glamis is surrounded by an Italian park with beautiful beech alleys. Fir and deciduous groves speak of its “royal” origin. However, according to one of the legends, the owner of the castle hid members of the Ogilvy family in one of the rooms of the castle, who asked him for protection from their enemy - the Lindsay family. However, several decades later, the inhabitants of the castle began to hear knocks on the door and discovered a secret room with skeletons in it. They say that the knocking continues to this day. According to another legend, in another secret room, the Earl of Strathmore and his friend always play cards as punishment for doing this on Sunday. Also roaming the castle are the ghosts of Lady Janet Douglas, who was burned for witchcraft, the spirit of an unknown Gray Lady, and the ghost of a page boy. Despite the ominous legends, tourists love to visit Glamis Castle, because here you can see antique furniture, sculptures, works of art, and rare books.
8. Vajdahunyad Castle, Hungary
In Hungary, in Budapest, there is another exquisite and luxurious castle in Europe - Vajdahunyad. The castle was built by the famous architect Ingatz Alpar in 1896-1908. Previously, on the site of the modern castle there was a wooden “Historical Pavilion”, erected in honor of the millennium of Hungary. Since the people of Hungary really liked the pavilion, it was decided to rebuild it from stone. Thus, Vajdahunyad Castle was born, combining in its appearance a mixture of elements of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque styles. Nowadays the Agricultural Museum operates in the castle building. In the park located near the palace, there is a statue of Anonymous, who created the chronicle early history Hungary "Gesta Hungarorum".
9. Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria
Initially, Hohenwerfen Castle, located just 40 kilometers from Salzburg, was a strategically important site for the defense and defense of the city. Then, in the 11th century, it was only possible to cross the mountains through a small pass. Therefore, it was in this place, between the mountains Hagen and Tenen, above the Salzach valley, that the prince gave the order to build a castle - a fortification. The erected fortress, which fit perfectly into the mountain landscape, was destroyed and rebuilt over the next few centuries, it was burned by peasants during uprisings and they restored it after their suppression. Today, visitors to Hohenwerfen Castle have the opportunity not only to dine in a romantic tavern and explore the collection of weapons, but also to admire the flights of falcons at the falconry center located here.
10. Peles Castle, Romania
Many tourists believe that Peles Castle is the most beautiful castle in Eastern Europe. In addition, Peles is the pride of the Romanian town of Sinaia. The architecture and interiors of the castle are dominated by the German Renaissance style, although the presence of other styles can also be traced. The castle was built from wood, marble and brick and includes one hundred and sixty rooms. Several Romanian monarchs are buried in the castle, including Carol I, who died here in 1914. Today, a museum has been opened in Peles Castle, the largest and most interesting exhibition of which is the Great Armory. Not far from Peles there are two more noteworthy castle museums: Pelisor and Foisor. All these castles are owned by the Romanian royal family.
There are things that fascinate people. One of these things is old buildings, in particular Gothic castles. How could people build such grandiose structures? This is amazing. Let's look at a selection of different castles and palaces made in different countries Europe. Each of these structures is unique.
Tower
Do you know the legends about the famous Tower prison? The London Fortress holds a lot of death and torture. The first ghosts appeared in the Tower in the 13th century, and now many guards who remain to guard the prison at night talk about them. Ghosts of royalty are common. The most famous ghost of the Tower is the figure of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of the famous King Henry VIII. Anna died at the age of 35 on the orders of the king. Her headless ghost often walks the corridors of the Tower.
There is also a legend about the ghost of Margaret Plantagenet, Countess of Salisbury. Her beliefs differed from those of King Henry VIII of England, so the king ordered the countess beheaded. At the time of execution, Margaret refused to put her head on the block and broke away from the executioner, but he caught up with her and chopped her with an ax. Now this scene is repeated at night and the guards quit, because seeing horrors every night leads to mental problems.
Neuschwanstein
The castle in Germany was the home of a strange unit of the Third Reich, in which they studied occult sciences, told fortunes, summoned spirits and studied ancient witchcraft. Then something amazing happened - the Nazis said that despite the fact that Ludwig II was gay, his genius was greater than that. At the end of World War II, the castle was a repository for Reichsbank gold, but then the gold disappeared. In addition, paintings and antiques, which were supposed to replenish Hitler’s collection after the war, disappeared from the castle. Neuschwanstein Castle was also the prototype of Sleeping Beauty Castle from Disneyland.
Other castles
Each castle has its own legends and stories. If the castle is more than 1000 years old, then it has completely survived different eras, including the Middle Ages with its executions, the Renaissance with its balls and modern times with tourists. The walls of Gothic castles remember all the key moments of history. Check out a selection of beautiful castles in Europe, such as those in France, Hohenzollern in Germany, and more!
