Gothic architecture

Subject: Arts and culture

Context:

Kerala government took control of Marthoman Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Church at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district, which has been in the focus of a dispute between Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Malankara Church

Concept:

• Gothic architecture, architectural style in Europe that lasted from the mid-12th century to the 16th century
• Gothic architecture is a European style of architecture that values height and exhibits an intricate and delicate aesthetic.
• Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be found in churches, cathedrals, and other similar buildings in Europe and beyond.
• The Gothic style evolved from Romanesque architecture, a medieval aesthetic characterized by arches, vaulted ceilings, and small stained glass windows.
• Gothic architecture adapted these Romanesque elements to produce a new style of building that featured exaggerated arches, increased vaulting, and enlarged windows.
• To construct taller, more delicate buildings with thinner walls, Gothic architects employed flying buttresses for support. These stone structures allowed architects to create sky-high cathedrals and churches that evoked ethereality and reached toward the heavens.