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Cathedrals in the High Gothic style became increasingly elaborate. Over several centuries, builders added
towers, pinnacles and ornamentation to the lavish Chartres Cathedral. More than 2000 sculpted figures decorate
Chartres.
In addition to religious figures, many Gothic cathedrals are heavily ornamented with strange, leering crea-
tures. These gargoyles are not merely decorative. Originally, the sculptures were waterspouts to protect the
foundation from rain. Since most people in medieval days could not read, the carvings took on the important
role of illustrating lessons from the scriptures.
Gothic buildings were based on the traditional plan used by basilicas. However, single units were inte-
grated into a unified spatial scheme.
Gothic architecture reigned for 400 years. It spread from northern France, swept throughout England and
Western Europe, crept into Scandinavia and Central Europe, and even found its way into the Near East. How-
ever, the 14th century brought a devastating plague and extreme poverty. Building slowed, and by the end of
the 1400s, Gothic architecture was replaced by other styles.
Scornful of exuberant, excessive ornamentation, artisans in Renaissance Italy compared medieval builders
to German "Goth" barbarians from earlier times. Thus, after the style had faded from popularity, the term
"Gothic" was coined.
However, Gothic ideas never completely vanished. During the nineteenth century, builders in Europe, Eng-
land and the United States borrowed medieval traditions to create an eclectic Victorian style Gothic Revival.
Even small private homes were given arched windows, lacy pinnacles and an occasional leering gargoyle.
Active Vocabulary
1) lofty – возвышенный, величественный
2) humbled – смиренный, бедный, простой
3) innovative – новаторский
4) testament – завет, завещание
5) ingenuity – изобретательность
6) ambulatory – галерея для прогулок
7) predominant – преобладающий, доминирующий
8) secular – светский
9) imperfect – несовершенный
10) divine – божественный
11) to soar – возвышаться, подниматься
12) to dwarf – затмевать, подчеркивать незначительность
13) to capitalize – капитализировать
14) barrel vaulting – цилиндрический свод
15) ribbed – ребристый
16) to delineate – изображать
17) pinnacle – шпиц, бельведер
18) lavish – щедрый, обильный
19) gargoyle – горгулья
20) waterspout – водосточная труба
21) carving – резьба по дереву
22) scripture – священное писание
23) basilica – базилика
24) spatial – пространственный
25) devastating plague – опустошающая чума
26) scornful – насмешливый, презрительный
27) exuberant – обильный, пышный, богатый
28) to vanish – исчезать, пропадать
29) leering – зловещий, злобный
Exercises on the Text
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