Gothic

Originating in France in the 12th century, awe-inspiring Gothic architecture lasted until the 16th century and then popped up in the 18th through the 20th century England – usually seen in grand churches and university buildings in places such as Oxford and Cambridge. Characteristics of this ornate architectural style include flying buttresses, pointed arches, and ribbed vaulting, the engineering feats that enabled massive stained glass windows – one of the most recognizable elements in Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture has the power to wow; if you look at the majority of Gothic churches and cathedrals with their massive widths and dizzying heights, you can experience, for example, just how small you really feel once you step inside one of these glorious gems. This is what Gothic architecture was made to do; it was made to install fear and awe in the worshipper, ensuring that the worshipper would feel small in comparison to the power of the Church and of Christ.