Notre-Dame de Paris
Considered the absolute crown jewel of French Gothic architecture, this 12th-century cathedral was one of the very first buildings in the world to utilize exterior flying buttresses to support its massive, towering walls. It is universally celebrated for its incredibly intricate, demonic gargoyles, its perfectly balanced twin front towers, and its breathtaking, colossal stained-glass rose windows.
Photo by Paul Steiner on Unsplash
Chartres Cathedral
Often hailed as the purest and most flawlessly preserved expression of the High Gothic style, Chartres was miraculously rebuilt in just a few decades following a devastating fire in 1194. It is globally renowned for possessing the most complete and spectacular collection of original 13th-century stained-glass windows in the world, which flood its cavernous nave with a mystical, deep blue light.
Photo by Tomas Tuma
Milan Cathedral
Taking nearly six centuries to complete, the Duomo di Milano is a breathtaking and uniquely exuberant Italian interpretation of the Gothic style, constructed entirely from luminous white and pink marble. Its impossibly elaborate, almost lace-like exterior is covered by an astonishing forest of 135 delicate, soaring stone pinnacles and over 3,400 individual statues.
Photo by Ouael Ben Salah on Unsplash
Siena Cathedral
This magnificent 13th-century structure perfectly showcases how Italian architects adapted the Gothic style, preferring broad, colorful surfaces over the skeletal, glass-filled walls favored in northern Europe. It is instantly recognizable by its striking exterior and interior walls, which are constructed using alternating horizontal stripes of dark green and brilliant white marble.
Photo by Alessio Patron on Unsplash
Cologne
A major cultural center on the Rhine River, home to the massive, twin-spired Gothic cathedral that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Photo by Soroush H. Zargarbashi on Unsplash
Sainte-Chapelle
Tucked away inside the medieval Palais de la Cité, this relatively small royal chapel was built in the 13th century by King Louis IX to house priceless holy relics, including the Crown of Thorns. It is the absolute pinnacle of the Rayonnant Gothic style, functioning more like a giant, glowing jewelry box than a building, as its walls are composed almost entirely of 15 massive, breathtakingly vibrant stained-glass windows instead of heavy stone.
Photo by Mitya Ivanov on Unsplash
St. Vitus Cathedral
The eastern façade of St. Vitus Cathedral, with its magnificent apse and soaring flying buttresses, is considered the purest and most breathtaking example of High Gothic architecture in Prague.
Photo by Tomas Tuma