Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the finest examples of French Gothic cathedral architecture. Explain the salient features of this architecture, what makes it unique world heritage site?
Introduction:
• French Gothic architecture is a style which emerged in France in 1140, and was dominant until the mid-16th century.
• The most notable examples are the great Gothic cathedrals of France, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, and Amiens Cathedral. Paris was struck in its very heart as flames devastated the roof of Notre-Dame, a historic 850-year-old medieval cathedral made famous by Victor Hugo.
Salient features of the French Gothic architecture:
• Gothic art evolved out of Romanesque art and lasted from the mid-12th century up to the late 16th century in some areas of Germany.
• Architecture was the main art form of the Gothic, and the main structural characteristics of Gothic
architectural design stemmed from the efforts of medieval masons to solve the problems associated with supporting heavy masonry ceiling vaults (arched roofs) over wide spans.
• The layout in French Gothic cathedrals was often of a Latin cross. The main axis is the most important and defines the order of the composition. The secondary axis is evident in some examples but very subtle in some others.
• Gothic walls became lighter due to their composition of stone columns and large windows or stained glass.These elements allowed for open, illuminated spaces in the interior.
The pointed arch was widely used in most of the French Gothic cathedrals. It was used as a structural and decorative element in doorways, windows, arcades, and galleries. Pointed arches were effective in channelling weight to the columns in a steep angle, thus allowing for ceilings to be much higher and to increase the perception of the verticality.
• Vault ceilings were used, in the form of cross-ribbed vaults. This type of vault consists of two or more intersecting vaults, reinforced with ribs on the joints. This opened up the interior space of the cathedrals to accommodate more visitors. Vaults became increasingly complex as the Gothic style evolved.
• The flying buttress is another defining constructive element of Gothic architecture in France. The buttress transfers part of the weight from the tall walls and helps keep the structure stable. They were created as a constructive solution but also became an important decorative element of the facade. The designs for the buttresses became much elaborate, enhancing the sense of verticality and greatness of the building.
• Another functional element that evolved into a decorative item was the gargoyles. These little monsters were spouts for rainwater to drain from the roofs. However, they served a higher purpose; they were there to create fear of evil among the superstitious population.
Notre-Dame- A unique World heritage site:
• The cathedral is part of the 1991 World Heritage inscription, Paris, Banks of the Seine, which also includes bridges, quays and the banks of the Seine in the historic part of its course
• Its importance is expressed through the architectural quality of the building and its location in the urban fabric, veritable landmark in the centre of the urban landscape, as well as through its visual and symbolic relation to the nearby belfry.
• The iconic cathedral has been deeply enmeshed in Paris’s history since construction began at the end of the 12th century; historians generally ascribe the date 1163 and lasted more than two centuries to 1345.
• For centuries France’s kings and queens were married and buried there.
• Its massive tenor bell announced the liberation of the city from Nazi control on August 24, 1944, ending the dark years under German rule in World War II.
• Napoleon was crowned emperor in Notre-Dame in 1804, and the joyous thanksgiving ceremony after the Liberation of Paris in 1944 took place there, led by Charles de Gaulle.
French Gothic Architecture influence in India:
• Philomena’s Cathedral, Mysore: Built in 1936 using a Neo Gothic style of architecture, the St. Philomena’s Cathedral is one of the tallest and most spectacular churches of Asia.
• Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai: Also known as San Thome Basilica, it was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. It is one of the three churches in the world that was built over the tomb of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, Saint Thomas.
• While it was laid out in 1839, the construction was completed by 1847.
Conclusion:
• The real significance of the Notre-Dame in France lies not in its size or architectural splendour, rather in it being a keen witness to eight centuries of tumultuous French history.
• French Gothic architecture is a style which emerged in France in 1140, and was dominant until the mid-16th century.
• The most notable examples are the great Gothic cathedrals of France, including Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, and Amiens Cathedral. Paris was struck in its very heart as flames devastated the roof of Notre-Dame, a historic 850-year-old medieval cathedral made famous by Victor Hugo.
Salient features of the French Gothic architecture:
• Gothic art evolved out of Romanesque art and lasted from the mid-12th century up to the late 16th century in some areas of Germany.
• Architecture was the main art form of the Gothic, and the main structural characteristics of Gothic
architectural design stemmed from the efforts of medieval masons to solve the problems associated with supporting heavy masonry ceiling vaults (arched roofs) over wide spans.
• The layout in French Gothic cathedrals was often of a Latin cross. The main axis is the most important and defines the order of the composition. The secondary axis is evident in some examples but very subtle in some others.
• Gothic walls became lighter due to their composition of stone columns and large windows or stained glass.These elements allowed for open, illuminated spaces in the interior.
The pointed arch was widely used in most of the French Gothic cathedrals. It was used as a structural and decorative element in doorways, windows, arcades, and galleries. Pointed arches were effective in channelling weight to the columns in a steep angle, thus allowing for ceilings to be much higher and to increase the perception of the verticality.
• Vault ceilings were used, in the form of cross-ribbed vaults. This type of vault consists of two or more intersecting vaults, reinforced with ribs on the joints. This opened up the interior space of the cathedrals to accommodate more visitors. Vaults became increasingly complex as the Gothic style evolved.
• The flying buttress is another defining constructive element of Gothic architecture in France. The buttress transfers part of the weight from the tall walls and helps keep the structure stable. They were created as a constructive solution but also became an important decorative element of the facade. The designs for the buttresses became much elaborate, enhancing the sense of verticality and greatness of the building.
• Another functional element that evolved into a decorative item was the gargoyles. These little monsters were spouts for rainwater to drain from the roofs. However, they served a higher purpose; they were there to create fear of evil among the superstitious population.
Notre-Dame- A unique World heritage site:
• The cathedral is part of the 1991 World Heritage inscription, Paris, Banks of the Seine, which also includes bridges, quays and the banks of the Seine in the historic part of its course
• Its importance is expressed through the architectural quality of the building and its location in the urban fabric, veritable landmark in the centre of the urban landscape, as well as through its visual and symbolic relation to the nearby belfry.
• The iconic cathedral has been deeply enmeshed in Paris’s history since construction began at the end of the 12th century; historians generally ascribe the date 1163 and lasted more than two centuries to 1345.
• For centuries France’s kings and queens were married and buried there.
• Its massive tenor bell announced the liberation of the city from Nazi control on August 24, 1944, ending the dark years under German rule in World War II.
• Napoleon was crowned emperor in Notre-Dame in 1804, and the joyous thanksgiving ceremony after the Liberation of Paris in 1944 took place there, led by Charles de Gaulle.
French Gothic Architecture influence in India:
• Philomena’s Cathedral, Mysore: Built in 1936 using a Neo Gothic style of architecture, the St. Philomena’s Cathedral is one of the tallest and most spectacular churches of Asia.
• Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai: Also known as San Thome Basilica, it was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. It is one of the three churches in the world that was built over the tomb of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, Saint Thomas.
• While it was laid out in 1839, the construction was completed by 1847.
Conclusion:
• The real significance of the Notre-Dame in France lies not in its size or architectural splendour, rather in it being a keen witness to eight centuries of tumultuous French history.
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