PLACES WITH INTERESTING GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA NOVELLA.

FLORENCE, ITALY. 1279

Located in Florence, Italy, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of

the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany. Its exterior was

designed by Fra Jacopo Talenti and Leon Battista Alberti, while its

interiors reveal extraordinary works of art including the fresco

style of Ghirlandaio.

ORVIETO CATHEDRAL. ORVIETO, UMBRIA,

CENTRAL ITALY. 1290

Orvieto Cathedral in Umbria is one of the most celebrated Gothic

cathedrals in the whole of Italy. It is situated atop an isolated rock

that stands 195 metres above the junction of Paglia and Chiana Rivers.

It is remarkable for its silver shrine and west façade characterized by a

fine polychrome monument of sculptured marble.

KAUNAS CASTLE. KAUNAS, LITHUANIA. 14TH CENTURY

Kaunas Castle is a stone castle that was constructed at the confluence of

Neris and Nemunas Rivers against the attacks of the Crusaders.

The first stone castle in Lithuania, this castle played a significant role in the

defence system of the country. This Gothic building has two rows of

protective walls and is the only one of its kind in Lithuania.

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF BREDA. BREDA,

NETHERLANDS.1410

Considered as the most important Gothic monument in Breda, the Church

of Our Lady Breda was built in the Gothic style Brabantse Gothiek. It has a

97-metre tower and a floor plan that follows the shape of a Latin cross,

which was very typical of Gothic cathedrals at the time.

STAVANGER CATHEDRAL. STAVENGER, NORWAY. 1100

The Stavanger Cathedral was built during the 11th century and was

originally built in Anglo-Normal style by English craftsmen. After it

was damaged by fire in 1272, the cathedral was restored and built in

Gothic style. It is considered as the only Norwegian cathedral that has

retained its original appearance since the Middle Ages.

CATHEDRAL OF EVORA. EVORA, PORTUGAL. 1746

A Romanesque-Gothic cathedral in Portugal, the Cathedral of Evora is

best known for its many unique architectural elements and wealth of

valuable treasures. It has a heavy stone façade flanked with two cone-topped,

battlemented square towers as well as a detailed porch and central window.

BLACK CHURCH. TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA. 14TH CENTURY

The Black Church of Transylvania is the largest Gothic ecclesiastical

building between Vienna and Istanbul. A Roman Catholic church, it was

originally dedicated to Virgin Mary but became a Lutheran church after a

century. It is built of friable grit stones and andesite arranged

in cubic shape.

MONASTERY OF SANTA MARIA DE VALLBONA. CATALONIA,

SPAIN. 12TH CENTURY

The Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona is one of the most significant

monasteries in Catalonia, Spain. It is a Cistercian abbey and was

founded in the early 12th century. This is a classic example of the

transition between the Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.