Arches were developed by the Romans and they are used to hold up walls of buildings. With an arch a builder can add more space inside and the load of the wall will be held up by the arch. So, this gives the builder a means to make a grander larger space, to hold up domes, and to give a sense height. The spires were added to make the building seem more grand and the churches seem to be reaching to the heaven and God. Together the arch and spires make a building unforgettable.
The spires in particular represent a finger pointing upward to God to indicate that he is in Heaven. The spires provided a constant reminder of that belief. Arches were an innovation of architecture to provide strength to the structure and provide additional light to inside of the building.
Medieval cathedrals are often described as "gothic masterpieces," featuring " soaring spires" and "intricate stained glass." They are characterized by "elaborate stone carvings" and "grand architectural designs" that reflect the religious devotion of the time. Terms like "awe-inspiring" and "sacred spaces" capture their significance as centers of worship and community gathering.
No... Confederate troops were ordered to do slash and burn campaign through GA so the AtTlantians could.... Well.... Leave no evidence of the spires and domes of Atlanta burning in the distance... As they looked from the Mountain, saw the city, and went peaceably to South Carolina, where Sherman had once lived and knew the people there well.
it would have a cross and they were normally quite tall. thats all i got! ======================================================= It very much depends on which part of the very long medieval period you mean - architecture changed enormously (like every other aspect of medieval life). Churches built by the Normans in the 11th and 12th centuries were fairly simple buildings with very narrow, round-topped windows without glass (something like arrow slits); only the main west door would be large and elaborate, again with a round top. No porches or spires were built, but most churches had a low tower for the bells. The outside would have stone corbels along the tops of the walls, carved into grotesque faces or strange animals. Inside, walls were plastered and painted; even ceilings might be covered in painted detail. In the 13th and early 14th centuries these same churches were usually enlarged due to expanding populations: aisles were added each side of the main body of the church and often the east end was enlarged. The cost of glass was becoming more affordable so the old Norman windows were enlarged and changed in style, with pointed "Gothic" arches replacing the round ones. A church originally built in the 12th century would now be modernised so it looked nothing like its previous form. In the late 14th and 15th centuries styles changed again, with more elaborate glazed windows often being added - some churches ended up with three or four different styles of door and window arches. Porches were sometimes added, destroying the early Norman decoration around the main door. See links below for images:
Quoting an article by Mrs. H.C. Spires in the Weekly Sentinel, a local Millcreek Township publication dated June 18, 1964: "Mr. George Biebel saw the need of a store and in 1870 he built the brick store which is run by the Biebel Brothers. When he thought the people needed a post office he wrote Washington. In getting a post office, the Geovernment asked for several names. Among the names sent in was the name of Kearsarge which was suggested by Mr. Biebel and is the nsame of a boat which sunk the Alabama off the coast of Cherbourg, France, on Sunday June 19, 1864." Another article, by Debbie Wallace of the Erie Times-News dated September 12, 1976, states: "'They built Erie just north of us.' This had been a frequent expression of George Biebel back in the late 1800's about his home of Walnut Creek-known today as Kearsarge."
The arches and spires of the medieval architecture were intended to force one's eyes to look toward the heavens. The spires in particular represent a finger pointing upward to God to indicate that he is in Heaven. The spires provided a constant reminder of that belief. Arches were an innovation of architecture to provide strength to the structure and provide additional light to inside of the building.
The spires in particular represent a finger pointing upward to God to indicate that he is in Heaven. The spires provided a constant reminder of that belief. Arches were an innovation of architecture to provide strength to the structure and provide additional light to inside of the building.
to force ones eyes to look towards the heavens
To inspire people to look upwards towards heaven
The arches and spires of Medieval architecture were primarily designed to enhance the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of buildings, particularly cathedrals and churches. Arches allowed for the distribution of weight, enabling the construction of taller and more expansive structures, while spires served both a symbolic purpose, reaching towards the heavens, and a functional role in drawing the eye upward, emphasizing the divine. Together, these elements contributed to the overall verticality and grandeur characteristic of Gothic architecture.
Spires are commonly found in Gothic architecture, which emerged in the 12th century and flourished until the 16th century. Characterized by verticality and light-filled interiors, Gothic cathedrals often feature pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, with spires serving both aesthetic and symbolic purposes. Notable examples include the spires of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and Chartres Cathedral.
Large pointed arches and spires in medieval European architecture served both structural and aesthetic purposes. The pointed arches allowed for greater height and the support of heavier stone ceilings, enabling the construction of taller cathedrals. Spires, often seen atop cathedrals, not only drew the eye upward, symbolizing a connection to the divine but also helped to distribute weight more effectively, enhancing the building's stability. Together, these features contributed to the iconic Gothic style, emphasizing light, verticality, and grandeur in ecclesiastical architecture.
Arches were developed by the Romans and they are used to hold up walls of buildings. With an arch a builder can add more space inside and the load of the wall will be held up by the arch. So, this gives the builder a means to make a grander larger space, to hold up domes, and to give a sense height. The spires were added to make the building seem more grand and the churches seem to be reaching to the heaven and God. Together the arch and spires make a building unforgettable.
gothic
The arches and spires of the medieval architecture were intended to force one's eyes to look toward the heavens. The spires in particular represent a finger pointing upward to God to indicate that he is in Heaven. The spires provided a constant reminder of that belief. Arches were an innovation of architecture to provide strength to the structure and provide additional light to inside of the building.
Gothic architecture was known for building tall, buildings, with spires and decorated (sometimes stained glass) windows. The arches in gothic architecture are usually tall and pointy, and there was a lot of use of bridges or so-called "flying buttresses", arches that led to the ground to distribute the force of a building's weight to the ground.
A gargoyle typically adorns Gothic-style cathedrals and churches, characterized by their intricate stonework and pointed arches. These buildings often feature tall spires, elaborate facades, and a dramatic verticality that complements the gargoyle's design. Gargoyles serve both decorative and functional purposes, acting as water spouts to direct rain away from the building's walls. They can also be found on castles and other historic structures, emphasizing their connection to medieval architecture.