The construction of the cathedrals was more than hundreds of years (Macdonald 14). The overall shape of appearance was planned out before any construction was started. The contractors were usually peasants of the low class. Cathedrals were built on old church sites throughout Europe and the world to spread the religion of Christianity. There were many architectural styles for the churches. Carpenters used long lasting materials such as stone and strong wood. Some of the best stone came from France. Cranes and pulleys powered by men and animals were used to haul these stones, especially in the dangerous job of quarrying. The appearance of the cathedrals was magnifice

Macaulay, David. Cathedral. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973.

· "Gothic Architecture and Art". The Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition Copyright c1993

The time period in which these extraordinary churches were built in is part of the Middle Ages, also known as the Gothic Age. During this time period, the world was divided into regions ruled by the Bishop. The regions were called dioceses because of the church governments and administration, therefore, the headquarters became the cathedrals. The Bishops throne symbolized the church's power. Usually, the throne was located in the holiest part of the cathedral. The throne was set facing west next to relics founded by an earlier saint. Making the cathedrals was not an easy process. Money came from gifts of land, farms, houses, and jewels. Many people even believed that donating money would forgive their sins. The clergymen controlled all the money. Cathedrals were expensive to build as well as maintain, especially because of the damages on the roof. The workers such as the highly skilled architects, sculptors, blacksmiths, and many more, believed that being a part of the construction would bring them fame and fortune. "Ironically, the initial classification of Gothic was assigned to the cathedrals as a derogatory description denoting darkness from an earlier age" (no author, Internet). Cathedrals portray a dark side to the Middle Ages; however, they supposedly resemble the heavens and bring happiness (No Author Internet).

Flying Buttresses also made the personification of Gothic art possible, as it allowed for almost no structure support in the walls. The flying buttress lends the interior illusion of being "amazingly airy and weightless" because the masonry supports are hidden and visible only from the outside. Since flying buttresses are perpendicular to the walls, intervening wall spaces could be "opened" up between the buttresses. As the walls were thinner, stained glass windows gradually came to replace masonry. Later Gothic cathedrals appear to be only thin skeletal frames of masonry. Wall surfaces of High Gothic churches thus have the appearance of transparent and weightless curtains. The spiritual and mysterious quality of light is an important element of the religious symbolism of Gothic cathedrals.]. While the stained, colored glass windows of this period gave the churches novel lighting affects; they did not make the churches "lighter" (the glass was heavily colored). While the use of stained glass was limited during the Romanesque period, the first extensive use as in the rebuilding of St. Denis. As cathedrals became taller and wider, windows became larger to allow more space for stained glass.

Cathedrals

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Approximate Word count = 1838
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)