These edifices relate the tales of ingenuity, sheer devotion, and artistry that often sprawl through generations of builders and craftsmen. These fabulous buildings constitute faith and craftsmanship, from France all the way to the UK. Below are six of the most breathtaking examples of such Gothic constructions that still leave visitors speechless.
Chartres Cathedral, France
A World Heritage Site, Chartres Cathedral was completely restored in just 26 years after a devastating fire in 1194; an astonishingly short time for such an ambitious structure. It is one of the most complete and preserved collections of medieval stained glass in the entire world, almost 28,000 square feet in area. The labyrinth of the cathedral, through which pilgrims walked as a symbolic journey of faith, made it famous besides its stained glass. Incidentally, its asymmetrical two-spired layouts were constructed in different times, thereby adding to its uniqueness.
Amiens Cathedral, France
It is the very largest Gothic church in France: it intended to achieve maximum height and light. Completed under a century, it is the pinnacle of French Gothic representation. Each summer and winter, the facade of the cathedral glows awesomely, recounting the original medieval flashes that had decorated its sculptures. It also conserves the relic of the head of Saint John the Baptist, which is a pilgrimage site.
Burgos Cathedral, Spain
The work on Burgos Cathedral commenced in 1221 and did not end until 1567. It is among the most important Gothic cathedrals in Spain as it includes French, Spanish, and German Gothic characteristics. It is known for its very elegant domed ceiling in a star shape, inspired by Islamic geometric designs, that sets it apart. More interesting is that this cathedral is the final resting place of El Cid, the Spanish knight and military leader born of legend.
Cologne Cathedral, Germany,
Cologne Cathedral is a mammoth edifice begun in 1248, though to finish the structure would take a fantastic 632 years. Its height is 157 m and, on its completion in the year 1880, it was pronounced as the tallest building in the world. Currently, it stands as the most-visited tourist site in Germany. Surviving numerous bombing raids from the Second World War, the damage inflicted was extensive. Then again, the church building houses the shrine of Three Kings, a gold reliquary which allegedly contains the remains of the Biblical Three Kings or Magi.
Westminster Abbey, London
For all the British legends associated with every coronation since 1066, Westminster Abbey is enshrined in them all. Actually, it is not cathedral but, as it stands, a beautiful architectural marriage between Gothic and then, medieval. This has also been given ground to more than 3,300 big names: Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Queen Elizabeth I himself. Among the most famous monuments of the Abbey, the Poet’s Corner enshrines some of the greatest literary minds in history.
Canterbury Cathedral, UK
Canterbury Cathedral is one of England’s earliest and finest Christian edifices known for the assassination of its archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170, which made the cathedral one of Europe’s most premier medieval pilgrimage sites, as far as inspiring Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. The grand stained-glass windows, some dating back to the 12th century, illustrate biblical tales and historic persons making the best possible view into a medieval artistic world.
These cathedrals all contain the most sought-after expressions of Gothic architectural ability, an homage to human endeavor and artistic genius. Whether architect or historian, these dazzling monuments continue to lure travelers from all over the planet.