Spanish Gothic architecture

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Leon Cathedral, a fine example of Gothic architecture in Spain Catedral Gotica de Leon.jpg
León Cathedral, a fine example of Gothic architecture in Spain

Spanish Gothic architecture is the style of architecture prevalent in Spain in the Late Medieval period.

Contents

The Gothic style started in Spain as a result of Central European influence in the twelfth century when late Romanesque alternated with few expressions of pure Gothic architecture. [1] The High Gothic arrives with all its strength via the pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James, in the thirteenth century. Some of the most pure Gothic cathedrals in Spain, closest related to the German and French Gothic, were built at this time.

In some cases the Gothic style was built and decorated with Mudéjar elements by Mudéjar craftsmen and Christian craftsmen influenced by them, creating a highly distinctive Gothic style unique to Spain and Portugal. [2] Some noteworthy post−thirteenth-century Gothic styles in Spain are the Levantine Gothic, characterized by its structural achievements and the unification of space, and the Isabelline Gothic, under the Catholic Monarchs, that predicated a slow transition to Renaissance architecture. Gothic construction ended in Spain in the sixteenth century. [2]

Radiating Chapels of Apse, Avila Cathedral Avila, Cathedral of the Saviour 009.jpg
Radiating Chapels of Apse, Ávila Cathedral

In 1172, French architect Giral Fruchel designed the first ever Gothic cathedral in Spain. [4] Ávila Cathedral, a cathedral located in Central Spain, represents a blend of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. [4] Alfonso VIII, former King of the Castile Kingdom, was inspired by the Basilica St. Denis in France and wanted Ávila's plan to incorporate double ambulatory and radiating chapels. [5] A double ambulatory consists of an apse that is surrounded by two walkways. [6] Radiating chapels, are small, semicircular chapels that appear along the apse of a church. [6] Alfonso's wish was granted, as Ávila Cathedral embodies these characteristics.

Toledo Cathedral Toledo Cathedral, from Plaza del Ayuntamiento.jpg
Toledo Cathedral

In 1227, Archbishop Rodrigo Jimenez de Rada initiated the rebuilding of the Toledo Cathedral in the Gothic style as well. [7] Prior to this reconstruction, Toledo was under Muslim control and possessed Islamic architectural elements. [6] Toledo's ground plan, for instance, resembled the ground plan of a mosque. [7] The fusion of Islamic and French Gothic influences gave rise to a distinctive and uniquely Spanish Gothic architectural style, and Toledo Cathedral was among the first to exhibit this. [8] Other physical attributes that Toledo Cathedral possesses are great bronze doors that make up the central portal of the building, plain vaults, double staggered aisles, and elaborate stonemasonry with colored marbles. [8] Toledo is a monumental Gothic cathedral and represents architectural experimentation, [8] as this was built during the upsurge of Gothic architecture in Spain.

Similar to Toledo, Burgos Cathedral was constructed in the early thirteenth century, in 1221. Both Toledo and Burgos Cathedrals have been altered many times since their initial construction. [9] However, Burgos Cathedral is still deemed a favorable example of High Gothic Spanish architectural style. [10] This cathedral incorporates flying buttresses, clerestory windows, pier arches, and a rose window. [11] In addition to this, the choir in Burgos Cathedral is located in the center of the nave. [11] This was unique because most gothic cathedrals positioned the choir in between the nave and the altar. [12] Burgos Cathedral also contains vaults that are slightly domical and diagonal ribs. [11] These key attributes suggest that the architects of this structure were influenced by French Gothic architecture. [13]

In the fourteenth century, Spain started to introduce ornate features in their Gothic structures. [6] Catalonian architecture, architecture belonging to the Catalonian region in northeastern Spain, was seen as superior during this time due to their frequent use of design elements. [6] The Chapel of Santa Ágata in the Royal Palace of Barcelona, constructed from 1303 to 1310, exhibits double windows, polished contours, and refined proportions. Similar to other Gothic cathedrals, the Chapel of Agueda displays stained glass windows as well as religious iconography. [6] These features highlight the artistry of Spanish Gothic architecture that can still be seen in architectural design today. The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles is an example of Spanish Gothic influence in contemporary time. [14]

Key Spanish Gothic Architectural Elements

Flying Buttress and Clerestory of Burgos Cathedral Fig 109 -Flying Buttress and Clerestory of Burgos Cathedral.jpg
Flying Buttress and Clerestory of Burgos Cathedral

Sequence of Gothic styles in Spain

Ages of the main Gothic elements in many Spanish cathedrals. Gothic-cathedrals-spain.png
Ages of the main Gothic elements in many Spanish cathedrals.

The designations of styles in Spanish Gothic architecture are as follows. Dates are approximate.

Examples

Early Gothic

High Gothic

Mudéjar Gothic

Valencian Gothic

Balearic Gothic

Catalan Gothic

Flamboyant/Late Gothic

Isabelline Gothic

Modern Spanish Gothic

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burgos Cathedral</span> Catholic cathedral in Burgos, Spain

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flamboyant</span> Very Ornate style of late Gothic architecture

Flamboyant is a lavishly-decorated style of Gothic architecture that appeared in France and Spain in the 15th century, and lasted until the mid-sixteenth century and the beginning of the Renaissance. Elaborate stone tracery covered both the exterior and the interior. Windows were decorated with a characteristic s-shaped curve. Masonry wall space was reduced further as windows grew even larger. Major examples included the northern spire of Chartres Cathedral, Trinity Abbey, Vendôme, and Burgos Cathedral and Segovia Cathedral in Spain. It was gradually replaced by Renaissance architecture in the 16th century.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish architecture</span>

Spanish architecture refers to architecture in any area of what is now Spain, and by Spanish architects worldwide. The term includes buildings which were constructed within the current borders of Spain prior to its existence as a nation, when the land was called Iberia, Hispania, or was divided between several Christian and Muslim kingdoms. Spanish architecture demonstrates great historical and geographical diversity, depending on the historical period. It developed along similar lines as other architectural styles around the Mediterranean and from Central and Northern Europe, although some Spanish constructions are unique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Renaissance architecture</span>

Spanish Renaissance architecture emerged in the late 15th century as Renaissance ideals reached Spain, blending with existing Gothic forms. Rooted in Renaissance humanism and a renewed interest inClassical architecture, the style became distinguished by a synthesis of Gothic and Italian Renaissance elements. The style is a creation of uniquely Spanish phases notable because of both rich ornamentation and restrained minimalism. The period saw contributions from the patronage of noble families, notably the House of Mendoza, and architects like Lorenzo Vázquez de Segovia, whose works in places like the Colegio Mayor Santa Cruz in Valladolid, incorporated Tuscan-Roman motifs alongside Gothic forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ávila Cathedral</span> Roman Catholic church in Ávila, Spain

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">French Gothic architecture</span> Architectural style

French Gothic architecture is an architectural style which emerged in France in 1140, and was dominant until the mid-16th century. The most notable examples are the great Gothic cathedrals of France, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reims Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, and Amiens Cathedral. Its main characteristics are verticality, or height, and the use of the rib vault and flying buttresses and other architectural innovations to distribute the weight of the stone structures to supports on the outside, allowing unprecedented height and volume. The new techniques also permitted the addition of larger windows, including enormous stained glass windows, which fill the cathedrals with light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portuguese Gothic architecture</span>

Portuguese Gothic architecture is the architectural style prevalent in Portugal in the Late Middle Ages. As in other parts of Europe, Gothic style slowly replaced Romanesque architecture in the period between the late 12th and the 13th century. Between the late 15th and early 16th century, Gothic was replaced by Renaissance architecture through an intermediate style called Manueline.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toledo Cathedral</span> Seat of Archdiocese of Toledo, Spain

The Primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, otherwise known as Toledo Cathedral, is a Catholic church in Toledo, Spain. It is the seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Toledo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purism (Spanish architecture)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orihuela Cathedral</span>

Orihuela Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Orihuela, Valencian Community, southern Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valencian Gothic</span>

Valencian Gothic is an architectural style. It occurred under the Kingdom of Valencia between the 13th and 15th centuries, which places it at the end of the European Gothic period and at the beginning of the Renaissance. The term "Valencian Gothic" is confined to the Kingdom of Valencia and its area of influence, which has its own characteristics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classic Gothic</span> Architectural style specific to France

Classic Gothic is a French term for the second phase of Gothic architecture in France, as defined by French scholars. The common English term for the period is High Gothic. This is disputed by German scholars. The German definition of High Gothic requires bar tracery, which did not arrive in French cathedrals until the construction of Reims Cathedral, but the English definition does not.

References

  1. ↑ "Encyclopedia of Medieval Pilgrimage Online". referenceworks. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  2. 1 2 "Khan Academy". www.khanacademy.org. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  3. ↑ JoJan (2019-05-14), English: Crucifix over the plateresque retrochoir of the Cathedral of Ávila, Spain , retrieved 2024-12-06
  4. 1 2 "Ávila Cathedral in Ávila". Spain.info. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Larissa J. "Encyclopedia of Medieval Pilgrimage Online". referenceworks. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Barnes, Carl F. (1978-12-01). "Review: Gothic Architecture by Louis Grodecki, Anne Prache, Roland Recht". Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 37 (4): 316–317. doi:10.2307/989265. ISSN   0037-9808. JSTOR   989265.
  7. 1 2 "Khan Academy". www.khanacademy.org. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  8. 1 2 3 Nickson, Tom (2015-12-07). Toledo Cathedral: Building Histories in Medieval Castile. Penn State University Press. doi:10.1515/9780271076638. ISBN   978-0-271-07663-8.
  9. ↑ Barnes, Carl F. (1978-12-01). "Review: Gothic Architecture by Louis Grodecki, Anne Prache, Roland Recht". Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 37 (4): 316–317. doi:10.2307/989265. ISSN   0037-9808. JSTOR   989265.
  10. ↑ Bork, Robert; Schurr, Marc (2018-07-24), "Gothic Architecture", Art History, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/obo/9780199920105-0126, ISBN   978-0-19-992010-5 , retrieved 2024-12-06
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 López Ulloa, Fabian S. (2016). Las teorías del gótico y su representación gráfica en España el último tercio del siglo XIX. Un estudio sobre: Some Account of Gothic Architecture in Spain, de George Edmund Street (Thesis). Universidad Politecnica de Madrid - University Library. doi: 10.20868/upm.thesis.39881 .
  12. ↑ "Choir | Gothic, Renaissance & Baroque | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  13. ↑ Nickson, Tom; Jennings, Nicola, eds. (2020-02-12). Gothic Architecture in Spain: Invention and Imitation. doi:10.33999/2019.55. ISBN   978-1-907485-12-1.
  14. ↑ "Ace Hotel Downtown LA / Commune Design". ArchDaily. 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  15. ↑ Moore, Charles Herbert (2017-09-05), English: Fig 109 -Flying Buttress and Clerestory of Burgos Cathedral, Development & Character of Gothic Architecture (1890) , retrieved 2024-12-04
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 López Ulloa, Fabian S. (2016). Las teorías del gótico y su representación gráfica en España el último tercio del siglo XIX. Un estudio sobre: Some Account of Gothic Architecture in Spain, de George Edmund Street (Thesis). Universidad Politecnica de Madrid - University Library. doi: 10.20868/upm.thesis.39881 .
  17. 1 2 3 Barnes, Carl F. (1978-12-01). "Review: Gothic Architecture by Louis Grodecki, Anne Prache, Roland Recht". Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 37 (4): 316–317. doi:10.2307/989265. ISSN   0037-9808. JSTOR   989265.
  18. 1 2 3 Nickson, Tom (2015-12-07). Toledo Cathedral: Building Histories in Medieval Castile. Penn State University Press. doi:10.1515/9780271076638. ISBN   978-0-271-07663-8.
  19. ↑ Cuesta, Miguel Hermoso (2014-09-24), Español: Interior de la catedral de Valencia, rosetón de la Puerta de los Apóstoles. , retrieved 2024-12-04
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