This document summarizes key features of Gothic architecture, including: 1) Pinnacles that add strength and stability to structures and enable buildings to reach new heights 2) Gargoyles that serve as waterspouts and intimidating sculptures 3) Stained glass windows that encourage magnificent rose windows 4) Pointed arches that provide flexibility and support greater weights and spans 5) Gothic vaults that reduce fire risk 6) Flying buttresses that further support the weight of roofs and allow for taller, wider structures. Examples of each are seen in Palma Cathedral and other Gothic buildings in Palma.

1. ARCHITECTURE
21st December 2012 winter solstice outing: a walk in the old town

2. We shall follow this route but we’ll start at Sant Pere’s
bastion(18) and finish at 1 (Town Hall)
)

3. On our way, we shall observe some emblematic
Gothic buildings: Sa Llotja, the Cathedral
Gothic art evolved from Romanesque art and lasted
from the mid-12th century to as late as the end of the
16th century in some areas. Some of its most
distinctive features are:
1. Pinnacles
2. Gargoyles
3. Stained glass windows
4. Pointed arches
5. Flying butresses
6. Gothic vaults

4. Elements of the Gothic
Architecture
Stained
Pointed Gothic Gothic Flying
Gargoyles Glass
Pinnacles Arch Vault Buttresses
Windows

5. 1 Pointed Pinnacles
Enables
Add strength
buildings to
and stability to
reach new
the structure
heights
To make it look
light

6. Pointed Pinnacles
Palma Cathedral

7. 2 Gargoyles
Gargoyles came into gothic
architecture in the early 13th
The origins of the word
century and are defined as "a
'gargoyle' are derived from the
waterspout, projecting from an
old French word 'gargouille'
upper part of a building to throw
meaning throat.
water clear of walls or
foundations."
Gargoyles are frightening and
intimidating sculptures - perfect
for the likes of great Lords and
Kings who built elaborate
fortresses and castles in order
to crush and intimidate the
indigenous population.

8. Gargoyles

9. 3 Stained Glass Windows

10. Rose Stained Glass Windows
Palma Cathedral rose window

11. 4 Gothic Arch
The walls of Gothic
The Gothic architects and
The Medieval Gothic Arch buildings could be thinner
builders discovered the
was a major feature of the because the weight of the
amazing strength and
architecture of the Middle roof was supported by the
stability of using pointed
Ages. arches rather than the
arches.
walls.
The arch could not only Thinner walls had wider
support greater weights window openings which
The use of the Gothic arch
but could also could span encouraged the use of
gave the builders
greater distances, allowing stained glass and the
tremendous flexibility.
vaults to be taller and magnificent Gothic Rose
wider. Windows.

12. Gothic pointed arches
Palma Cathedral

13. 5 Gothic Vaults
Vaults reduced the risk of fire

14. Gothic Vaults
Palma Cathedral Gothic vaults

15. Santa Creu

16. Romanesque (Barrel) Vault
Compare Gothic to Romanesque Barrel Vaults

17. Barrel Vault

18. 6 Flying Butresses

19. Flying Buttresses
Palma Cathedral

20. Llotja de la
Mercaderia
Gothic civil architecture