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10 Gothic Cathedrals of Medieval Europe

Last updated on June 7, 2020 in World Religions 17 Comments

Gothic cathedrals are not the religious building of the ancient Goths, but rather cathedrals built in the Gothic architecture. Just as Vandalism doesn’t have anything to do with the Vandals, Gothic architecture has nothing to do with the Goths. It’s a style of architecture that developed in France out of the Romanesque style in the 12th century and was simply known as the “French Style”. Gothic architecture spread to all of Western Europe and continued to evolve until well into the 16th century, before being subsumed into Renaissance art. Only then it was called “Gothic”, and not in a positive way as the Goths were considered rude and barbaric.

The Gothic style emphasizes verticality and light. This appearance was achieved by the development of certain architectural features such as the clustered columns, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses. Although the architecture is used in many castles, palaces and town halls it is the magnificent Cathedrals of Europe that really demonstrate the beauty of Gothic architecture.

10. St Stephen's Cathedral

St Stephen's Cathedral

St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), situated at the heart of Vienna, has survived many wars and is now a symbol of the city’s freedom. The Gothic cathedral stands on the ruins of two earlier churches and was largely initiated by Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria, in the 14th century. Its most recognizable characteristic, the diamond-patterned tile roof, was only added in 1952.

9. Burgos Cathedral

Burgos Cathedral

The Burgos Cathedral is a medieval cathedral in Burgos, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is famous for its vast size and unique Gothic architecture. Construction of Burgos Cathedral began in 1221, and after a lengthy hiatus of almost 2 centuries, was completed in 1567. In 1919 the cathedral became the burial place of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (“El Cid”), and his wife Doña Jimena.

8. Reims Cathedral

Reims Cathedral

Reims Cathedral was the church in which numerous French monarchs were officially crowned. It was built on the site of the basilica where Clovis was baptized by Saint Remi, bishop of Reims, in AD 496. The cathedral was completed by the end of the 13th century, with the west front added in the 14th century.

7. Milan Cathedral

Milan Cathedralflickr/giovanni_novara

An exceptionally large and elaborate Gothic cathedral on the main square of Milan, the Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous buildings in Europe. It is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Construction began in 1386 under Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo in a Late Gothic style more typically French than Italian. It took five centuries to complete the famous cathedral.

6. Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedralwikipedia/Ingo Mehling

Built on the site of a grand Almohad Mosque, Seville’s medieval cathedral was built to demonstrate the city’s power and wealth after the Reconquista. At the time of its completion in the 16th century, it supplanted the Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world. It is still the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. The builders used some columns and elements from the mosque, most famously the Giralda, a minaret converted into a bell tower.

5. York Minster

York Minster

One of the two largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe (alongside Cologne Cathedral in Germany), York Minster dominates the skyline of the ancient city of York. York Minster incorporates all the major stages of Gothic architectural development in England. The present building was begun in about 1230 and completed in 1472. The “Great East Window” inside the cathedral is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.

4. Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame de Parisflickr/MPD01605

Notre Dame de Paris is a beautiful Catholic cathedral in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. Begun in 1163 it was essentially complete by around 1345. One of the most famous French Gothic cathedrals, the Notre Dame a great example of French Gothic architecture, sculpture and stained glass. During the French Revolution in the 1790s, much of its sculptures and treasures were damaged or destroyed. Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor here on December 2, 1804.

3. Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Easily the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) has been Cologne’s most famous landmark for centuries. Once the tallest building in the world, it still has the largest facade anywhere. The famous cathedral stands on the site of a 4th century Roman temple, followed by a church commissioned by Maternus, the first Christian bishop of Cologne. Construction of the present Gothic church began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, more than 600 years to complete. It is dedicated to the saints Peter and Mary and is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne.

2. Santa Maria del Fiore

Santa Maria del Fiore

Begun in 1296 in the Gothic style and completed in 1436, The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is Florence’s beautiful cathedral and symbol of the city. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white. The basilica is one of Italy’s largest churches, and until the modern era, the dome was the largest in the world. It remains the largest brick dome ever constructed.

1. Chartres Cathedral

#1 of Gothic Cathedralsflickr/PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE

The Chartres Cathedral is located in of Chartres, a town near Paris that seems too small to fit the Cathedral. Not only is Chartres Cathedral one of the finest examples of the French High Gothic style, it is almost perfectly preserved. The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes since the early 13th century.

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Comments

  1. Caleb says

    December 11, 2019

    The architecture is amazing!

  2. David says

    June 26, 2017

    Heather..i also agree that the strasbourg cathedral is one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in europe but I have to disagree with you calling it “small”. It is 466′ tall with a massive facade!

  3. Pedro says

    May 20, 2014

    Great post! Although it missed one magnificent gothic masterpiece in Europe: Batalha, in Portugal.

  4. Ignacio says

    October 15, 2013

    Thanks for including the magnificent cathedral of Burgos. A lot of people forget that Spain has some of the finest examples of gothic architecture in the world. Most people think of the English and Fench cathedrals but forget those of Burgos, Seville, Leon, Toledo and Palma de Mallorca.

  5. [email protected] says

    May 22, 2013

    Beautiful cathedrals! They are really a work of art. Glad that humanity takes time to preserve these historic beauties. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Lisa says

    March 19, 2013

    I completely love cathedrals and would like to visit Seville Cathedral some day. Milan Cathedral runs a close second. Great collection of churches.

  7. Yeeeh1uk says

    January 21, 2013

    Lincoln Cathedral should be on the list, it is far superior to York Minster.

  8. Matthew Hutchins says

    June 20, 2012

    They’re so beautiful, I must go see them next time I’m in Europe.

  9. Drina Murphy says

    November 3, 2011

    Great list! They all look awesome but the Milan Cathedral looks very impressive:)

  10. Jose Carlos Gadea says

    October 25, 2011

    Good list, but there are a lot of great cathedrals missing, and one of the most important ones: the Amiens Cathedral.

  11. Anna J. Stites says

    September 26, 2011

    very impressive cathedral’s ! Santa Maria del Fiore,Milan Cathedral and the Cologne Cathedral are look so awesome and marvelous!!!!!! This makes me want to get even more photos from all the great Cathedrals that I have not visited on this list.

  12. matt says

    September 17, 2011

    The photos don’t do the scale of the places justice. I was at Cologne a few years ago and the place is huge also inside the organs near the ceiling and the treasure is well worth the visit to see.

  13. HJ says

    September 15, 2011

    York but not Lincoln?

    Lincoln is by far the finer of the two.

    Durham is arguably finer still, but Norman rather than Gothic.

  14. ecothreesixty.com says

    June 1, 2011

    Hard to narrow the list to 10 I’m sure.

    But have to say if you need an 11th think about Salisbury Cathedral. Completed in 1258.

    http://ow.ly/57yZ6 – Image of Cathedral

    Key facts

    Has the tallest spire in the UK

    The Cathedral contains the world’s oldest working clock (from AD 1386)

    Also houses one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta

    My home town so forgive the plug

  15. Robin says

    March 2, 2011

    That’s a great suggestion Heather. Strasbourg Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic cathedral.

  16. Heather says

    March 2, 2011

    Nicely done! Regardless of religion or personal views toward religion, there’s no denying the awesome architecture and art that has been inspired, commissioned and created due to religion. Beautiful!

    I would add the cathedral in Strasbourg. Although it may be a little smaller, it’s still fantastic. Plus, it’s unique in that it is one of few gothic cathedrals with one tower. I also admit perhaps a slight bias – I lived in Strasbourg for a bit. 🙂

  17. Ken Kaminesky says

    March 2, 2011

    Great list Robin! This makes me want to get even more photos from all the great Cathedrals that I have not visited on this list.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and to answer your question about the Milan Dumo photos from the outside, here are a few links:

    http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/2010/12/17/giant-christmas-tree-at-the-milan-catherdral/

    http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/2010/04/02/the-duomo-at-night-milan-italy/

    And a few more Church and Cathedral photos from Europe:

    http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/tag/cathedral/

    Cheers,

    Ken

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