Once you come across the terms “Gothic Castle” being used together. You’ll see how your mind immediately builds up the image of a big, imposing building with various towers and pointed arches. Although it’s neither the beginning nor the end of it, this is how the media has romanticized this look.
What is Gothic Castle?
The gothic castle has held a particular place in people’s imaginations for hundreds of years. However, there is a lot of confusion about the exact meaning of the word “gothic castle”. The term “gothic castle” unites two separate ideas from various historical eras. Originally, the term “Gothic” referred to a well-liked architectural design from the middle of the Middle Ages. The gothic castle was a well-known architectural design. It was distinguished by its grand arches and expansive windows. The gothic castle is an architecture that is seen in numerous churches throughout Europe. And it is best exemplified by Malbork Castle.
A detailed overview of the Gothic castle
The first signs of the Gothic castle appeared while the Catholic Church’s power in Europe greatly increased. It increased in the 12th century. Construction earned a lot of “noble patronage” due to stable currency. The modest and scattered ascent of the Gothic castle was the outcome. This design has a lot of decoration as a result. During the Middle Ages, churches and other sacred buildings tended to be built in the Gothic castle. It in terms of embellishment and development predates Romanesque. Beginning in the early 16th century, the Renaissance movement reduced the popularity of the Gothic style. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the “Gothic Renewal” or “Neo-Gothic” movement began. Giving this style a romantic renewal with some modern modifications.
The Beginning
The first genuine Gothic castle is supposed to be the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis in France. Resident Abbot Suger paid for the renovation in the 12th century. Because he wanted it to be tasteful and attractive. Later, the next generation of Gothic-obsessed designers used it as a model. From stained-glass windows to flying buttresses, master painters, sculptors, and designers captured a range of distinctive qualities. However, each element of the gothic castle or the inspiration has a history. The High Gothic castle drew inspiration from a range of sources. It includes Middle Eastern pointed arches, Romanesque barrel vaults, and Byzantine buttresses, before combining these components into a cohesive form.
Critics of that era
The trend Suger started, meanwhile, did not receive as much support from the criticism of the day. The adjective “barbarian” is derived from the “barbarian” Germanic Goth tribes; Suger himself classified his art as “current,” but his critics referred to it as “gothic.” This was done to imply that they found it revolting and out of line with Roman standards. The Gothic castle, however, is now recognized by experts as the greatest achievement of medieval civilization. Since it enabled its inhabitants to leave Rome’s shadow and offer the world something new.
Features of the Gothic castle
Let’s look at some of the characteristics of Gothic castle construction now that we are aware of its historical roots. Here they are:
-
Angular arches
Gothic castles are renowned for their height and beauty. But specifically, what gives it this impression of height? The angles are the cause. Not only are they the most typical features of the Gothic medieval castle. They also emphasized a brand-new engineering breakthrough at the time, though. The largest of these structural flaws was that the majority of the mass was concentrated on the sides of the walls. It required exceptionally thick construction that only allowed for tiny windows. In the past, Romanesque-style buildings only featured barrel arches, which had several structural issues. They distributed ceilings by laying them directly on the ground as opposed to against the neighboring walls. In addition to being used in the interior design of Gothic castles; These arches were also used to make windows, carvings, and entrances. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of this style was its strong decorative element.
-
Racks on the vaults
The development of pointed vaulted arches is what gives Gothic castles their height. As a point of comparison, a vault is merely an arch connected to one particular point on the ceiling. It is made of masonry. And provided the basic framework for structures during the middle ages. The Romanesque buildings made extensive use of barrel vaults. As a result, the ceilings shrunk and the walls thickened. The Gothic vaulted ceilings were referred to as having “ribbed” vaults in contrast. This design’s pointed base arch reduced stress points, strengthened the structure, and raised ceilings. Also, used thin walls to create bigger, more aesthetically beautiful windows.
Fun fact:
Four ribs made up the standard Gothic-style vault, although like with everything. It eventually suffered several changes. There were star-shaped ribbed constructions known as steller vaults. Also, triangle and geometric vault designs are known as reticulated vaults. The most elaborate ones were Rococo Gothic vaults with their remarkable interwoven patterns and fan vaults with fan-shaped ribs.
-
Big Columns
The columns of buildings designed in the Gothic style are another distinctive feature. They were used to fully reduce the burden of the tall ceilings. Initially, these columns were set apart by substantial piers for greater structural stability. However, these were later replaced with “clustered” columns. These had a single central column surrounded by a great number of lesser columns. To match the Gothic ornamentation, the tops of these columns frequently featured classic Corinthian designs. However, the impact of these enormous, rib-vaulted ceilings supported by columns was terrible and unusual. In the end, they dispersed the building’s weight outward and downward. Flying buttresses were utilized as an additional structural component in Gothic-style medieval castles to counter this.
-
Flying Buttresses
These are among the most important features of Gothic castle buildings. The walls could occasionally project their weight outward. It is due to the advanced vaulting techniques of the time. It wasn’t true for every inch of the walls; only some of them were harmed. Therefore, architects came up with the best solution: rather than making the walls heavier and thicker, they would simply add exterior physical support to them. This is where the idea of flying buttresses came from.
Construction of Buttresses:
These buttresses were only constructed where the walls were thrust outward. And their primary purpose was to support the vault pillars from outside the building. By using this as an external skeleton, Gothic engineers were able to build the tallest structure in the world during the medieval era. These buttresses also had the benefit of not hindering the thinness of the walls. It allows architects to experiment with unique window designs on the front. Flying buttresses were typically modeled after complex half arches. It allowed Gothic architecture to achieve the tall heights and abundant light that we love today.
-
Gothic Windows
Gothic buildings typically had very thin walls, which allowed window designers and architects to go to town. In reality, the interior of Gothic castles and churches is recognized for being extraordinarily light and airy. It is due to both their natural height and the numerous windows. In Gothic medieval castles, the bar tracery was the window design feature that was the most innovative. This method required dividing a large window into smaller pieces. It is done by molding stone “ribs” that closely resembled contemporary wooden door frames. The complexity of the tracery increased with the Gothic movement’s acceptance throughout the Middle Ages. It is which was employed to place the glass. Stained glass was another feature of Gothic construction. However, it was more typically seen in churches and cathedrals than in actual castles. There were colorful glass displays of varied biblical artwork inside the window tracery.
-
Sculptures
Another distinguishing aspect of Gothic castles and churches was the numerous sculptures on their exteriors. Apostles, saints, and even Jesus Christ are sculpted into Gothic architecture alongside horrific gargoyles, grotesques, chimera, and even the Strix. The scary sculptures had two functions. But the more devout ones were often used as Gothic churches’ aesthetic features. The first was to deliberately frighten onlookers by painting terrifying images on the top and battlements of Gothic medieval castles. The second was specific to gargoyles and proved useful. They served as water sprouts, spitting all the extra rainfall on the roof out of their mouths.
-
Towers
Any Gothic castle worth its salt must have huge cornerstones and towers. They are so unique to Gothic design. The Corvin Castle in Romania is a superb illustration of a Gothic castle with towers. This feature enhanced the dramatic effect while also enhancing the skyline of the structure. Religious organizations interpreted it as a desire to travel to Heaven from Earth. But designers saw it as a structural challenge they could solve. However, that is merely the symbolic side of this element. In reality, many of these towers were bell towers. They were regularly used to alert castle inhabitants of invaders or to summon people to duty.
From churches to castles, what defines a Castle as Gothic?
The gothic castle was first mostly seen in churches. But it eventually spread to castles as well. The lavish decorations of this style conflicted with the operation of defense mechanisms. Designers addressed this challenge by building enormous, towering castles in Eastern Europe. They served as fashionable homes and also had robust defenses. Around the turn of the 20th century, Gothic literature had a significant impact on the popularity of castles. This brought up recollections of nostalgic, passionate times when this style was lavish and fashionable. The castles that were constructed during this time were more for show than for practical military use.
Gothic Castle Architecture: Majestic Designs for the Middle Ages
Before the development of Gothic architecture, early Medieval castles were frigid, gloomy, and rainy. Due to the crude construction methods available during the period; the bulk of castles featured small windows and leaky roofs. Even dangerous, the castles were frequently open to attack. When assailants dug under just one corner, square towers might easily topple. The Gothic style of the Middle Ages revolutionized building design.
Both Gothic literature and architecture create a sense of dread and terror
In English literature in 1764, something unsettling was taking shape. By writing a whole new kind of book, author Horace Walpole established a completely new literary genre. He is credited with writing “The Castle of Oranto,” the earliest piece of Gothic fiction. Gothic literature tries to capture and frighten readers by arousing strong feelings in them. The tales were created to evoke pictures of eerie. Decaying old homes that had long been the hiding place of terrible secrets. The settings for these books were typically deserted castles. Old castles were a favorite topic for Gothic writers because of their waning grandeur and former vibrancy. They believed that castles were haunted by death and overflowing with recollections of a past period. As a result, castles were frequently employed as settings in gothic literature.
Best Gothic Castles
-
Hunyad Castle is a horrible Gothic castle: Transylvania
Hunyad Castle is without a doubt the creepiest of all the gothic castles. It is almost a flawless example of gothic architecture. Hunyad is surrounded by towers that resemble devils’ caps and has a huge, frightening bulk. The castle’s front is adorned with unnecessarily ornate gothic elements. While its interior is adorned with high ceilings that surround colossal, echoing corridors. The exterior of Hunyad Castle is extremely flawlessly gothic. After being frequently ravaged by fire, the outside gothic architecture of this castle was improved through renovations. It was carried out in the 1800s and 1900s. Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler III, is thought to have been held captive at Hunyad Castle in Transylvania, Romania.
As per the story:
- According to the story, he was forced to live in a small dungeon beneath the Knight’s Hall. And survived by eating rats. As a result, he became understandably insane. And his insanity served as the basis for later stories about the joy of sucking blood. The castle is related to yet another archaic, terrible story. Three Turkish prisoners were promised freedom in the 1500s. If they could dig deep enough into the courtyard to find water, according to a tale.
- The prisoners labored nonstop for fifteen years until they at last found water. The hostages shamefully breached their pledge, according to legends. The old castle was built with much labor from the prisoners. But they were never released. Today, tourists throw coins into the well to grant their wishes. And also, express gratitude for the labor of the former prisoners. In the same way that Gothic castles are portrayed in literature and film, Hunyad is well known for its ghosts. An old photograph from the 1800s depicts a shadowy figure floating between ancient columns and the castle. It is a well-liked haunt for ghoul hunters, who are undoubtedly drawn to its foreboding appearance.
-
Peles Castle in Sinaia, Romania
King Carols I ordered the construction of a neo-Renaissance-style castle in the peaceful village of Sinaia in the 1860s. It is done After being tempted by the enticing Bucegi Mountains. At the royal summer home, each of the 160 rooms has a different theme. Beautiful paintings by Austrian artists Franz von Matsch and Gustav Klimt cling to the walls and ceiling. The theatre on the property, for example, radiates a feel of a storybook. After serving as a royal palace for many years, Peleș Castle was eventually demolished when Romania adopted communism. In 1989, following the revolution, the castle was reopened as a public museum.
-
Qaitbay Fort in Alexandria, Egypt
Ottoman armies were advancing on Alexandria in 1477. Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay first began construction on this stronghold on the Mediterranean Sea. The wrecked Pharos Lighthouse’s remains were cleverly covered with plans for the castle. So, the workers could recover pieces to manufacture red stone columns for the mosque and entranceway. Despite the Ottoman Empire’s eventual capture of Egypt; the castle remained a strategic location for the military until it was attacked by the British in 1882. The vast and spectacular monument was abandoned on the port before the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. It interfered in the 20th century to restore it to its original beauty. Since the 1952 revolution, the citadel has operated as a maritime museum. It documented the successes and failures of the Egyptian navy forces.
-
Bojnice Castle in Bojnice, Slovakia
- Written records found at the Zobor Abbey indicate: that this Romanesque structure may have been first built as a wooden fort as early as 1113. As stone rapidly replaced wood, the Gothic castle by the 16th century included Modern elements. Although he wasn’t the fortress’s original owner. King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary was unquestionably one of the first to invest in it. The ruler frequently traveled to the small town to work on his ordinances. And he dictates them under a mulberry tree on the spot that now bears his name.
- It appears that work never ceased because owner after owner maintained repairing the exteriors or building rooms. They do so until the castle was eventually owned by Count Ján Pálfi. Inspired by the gorgeous castles of France’s Loire Valley, the aristocrat planned to construct his fairy-tale castle. Complete with his ideal collection of paintings, textiles, and antiques. With its appealing facade, Bojnice Castle has developed into one of central Europe’s most visited castles. It is welcoming thousands of people each year to explore its famed halls.
-
Windsor Castle in Windsor, England
The formal royal residence has been Windsor Castle. It is the biggest and oldest continually maintained castle in the world, for more than 900 years. William the Conqueror began creating Windsor as a residence and a fortification. It is to guard the western approach to London around 1070. Numerous improvements have been made by the numerous kings who have occupied the castle. Most notably Queen Victoria built a private church. In a 1992 fire, the chapel and more than 100 other rooms were destroyed. Windsor had been fully restored to its prior state for five years.
The property’s iconic St. George’s Chapel, which continues to be a favorite among the royal family, has hosted many weddings. The peaceful mansion was a favorite weekend retreat for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. The queen has spent a lot of time there since her husband’s death and burial in April 2021.
Takeaways
The emergence of the Gothic architectural style was a key step in the history of castle architecture. The most obvious difference between Gothic and Romanesque castles is the advent of flying buttresses. Vaulted structures may help sustain walls that are much taller and more elaborate than Romanesque architecture could. The luxury that people now associate with castles was exposed to Gothic castles. Because they often had larger windows and more open interiors than Romanesque castles. Additionally, they frequently had higher walls than Romanesque castles. Gothic architecture became more popular in the 16th century. It was succeeded by Renaissance architecture, which modified earlier architectural styles in its way. Despite their declining popularity, there are still a lot of Gothic castles standing in Europe today. It is providing a beautiful and important illustration of a time in the continent’s architectural history.
The Gothic influence is still felt today
Today, the word “castles” alone invokes images of frightening, Gothic ruins for many people. The Frankenstein monster and the legend of Dracula are two of the greatest gothic characters. They have had a lasting influence on contemporary literature and film. Visitors are welcome to make use of the castle’s grounds and café before exploring its heavenly chambers. Little Peter, Schwerin’s mischievous ghost, is rumored to still reside in the castle; you never know, you might run into him.
