Gothic Cathedrals : A Guide To The History, Pla... -

Intersecting stone ribs supported the ceiling's weight, which meant the panels between them could be thinner and the overall roof much lighter.

These external stone arches braced the upper walls against the outward thrust of the heavy roof, allowing architects to replace solid stone walls with vast expanses of glass. Gothic cathedrals : a guide to the history, pla...

The Gothic era is traditionally divided into three distinct phases, each marked by increasing decorative complexity and structural daring: Gothic cathedrals : a guide to the history, pla...