How did architecture change from the Romanesque to Gothic period?

Where the Romanesque style buildings featured wide, round arches, the Gothic churches moved towards an adaptation of Islamic arches: tall and thin arches with pointed peaks. These narrower looking, pointed arches emphasised the height of the buildings.



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It was principally the development of the pointed arch which brought about the change that separates Gothic from Romanesque. This technological change broke the tradition of massive masonry and solid walls penetrated by small openings, replacing it with a style where light appears to triumph over substance.

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What is the difference between Gothic architecture and Romanesque architecture? Romanesque architecture is characterized by heavy masonry walls, rounded arches supported by piers, and barrel vaults. Gothic architecture has much thinner walls supported by flying buttresses, pointed arches, and stained glass windows.

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The main characteristics of Gothic architecture include pointed arches, stained-glass windows, flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and spires.

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