What is Gothic architecture?

The Hindu

25-04-2025

In present-day pop culture, the word 'goth' has come to be associated with a dark aesthetic and alternative music. Gothic novels often involve horror, haunted houses, and vampires. But the word 'Gothic' was first associated with an architectural style that began with churches in France in the 12th Century CE.
Until this period, churches usually had heavy solid walls and thick pillars that were needed to keep the building stable. But Gothic churches, though taller and grander, brought in construction innovations that avoided this. They were towering structures with pointed arches and intricate details on the façade. The ceiling was made of a complex structure called a 'vault' with ribs for additional support. Thus, the building could become taller and wider, resulting in massive internal volumes. In addition, they had structures called flying buttresses that helped support the walls. Imagine a series of half-arches outside a long, vertical wall that carried the load of the wall to the ground. This meant the walls and pillars didn't have to be so massive and thick. Fantastic magical creatures, gargoyles, sat at corners acting as water spouts.
Awe-inspiring
Gothic churches had slender columns and the walls could be punctured by large windows, allowing light to flood in. Circular windows, called rose windows had decorative stained glass paintings depicting stories from the Bible, giving the interiors an ethereal feel and invoking the presence of divinity. Some of the most famous Gothic churches are Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral and Amiens Cathedral in France.
Like all styles, Gothic also went out of vogue but came back in different forms in new places. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or CST was designed in an Indo-Gothic style during the British rule. But how did this architectural style become associated with horror and mystery?
After the 12th Century came the Renaissance period in Europe. Renaissance critics considered Goths as barbarians and destroyers of the classical Roman style. Large Gothic structures, especially when abandoned, developed an aura of mystery. The eerie charm made them a popular setting for novels and later horror movies. Grotesque elements like gargoyles added to spooky vibe. Much later, the word Goth also began to be associated with an alternative culture that embraced darkness.
This style had its roots in architecture and long-standing influences on many other things. In fact, the hero of one of the most popular Gothic novels, written way back in 1897, is still a household name and is a popular character during Halloween. Can you guess the book's name? Yes, it's Dracula.