Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that had its origins in the building of great cathedrals in France from the 12th to the mid-13th century and was known as the "French style" (opus Francigenum) before being appellated as 'gothic' during the Renaissance period.[1] It was introduced as the successor to the Romanesque architecture with the rebuilding of the choir and facade of the abbey in Saint-Denis between 1135 and 1144. The main characteristic of the gothic architecture (in the original context of cathedrals) is its transcendent depiction of light as symbol of divinity and heaven through the use of stained glass windows which require massive skeletal construction reinforced with flying buttresses. This is distinct from the theme of the Last Judgment in the Romanesque architecture with less light let into its interior.[2]