Why pointed arches

Be the first to rate this post. The first appearance of the pointed arch in the Muslim World was traced to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, but the Palace of Ukhaidir - Iraq remains the first building where the pointed arch was used constructively and systematically. The pointed arch has become a common feature of most European churches. Where did it come from and how? The full article, see below, gives the full story and the debate concerning its origin.

Below is only an extract from the full article in the pdf file where all references and end notes are found. Early historians of architecture such as Havell and Rivoira thought that the pointed arch occurred in India carved out of a solid block of some seventh century temples. This view has been dismissed by the famous historian Hill He believed in the Muslim origin of the invention of the pointed arch. The first appearance of the pointed arch in the Muslim World was traced to the Al-Aqsa Mosque endnote 1 , but the Palace of Ukhaidir — Iraq remains the first building where the pointed arch was used constructively and systematically.

The main advantage of the pointed arch was that it concentrated the thrust of the vault on a narrow vertical line that could be supported by the flying buttresses, a major feature of Islamic architecture and also European Gothic architecture. The pointed arch enables the reduction of the lateral thrust on foundations.

It enabled architects to lighten the walls and buttresses which had to be massive to support earlier semicircular arches endnote 2. Additionally, it resolved the difficulty of achieving level crowns in the arches of the vault allowing the vault to become suitable for any ground plan. To tackle the question of height, Muslim structural engineers had employed a variety of techniques, in addition to the pointed arch. The method used in Kairawan Mosque — Tunisia endnote 3 is revealing.

Here, in order to gain a crown level of height, masons have raised the arcade of narrow areas above the arcade of other areas as shown in figure 5. Figure 1. Raised arcades, Kairawan Method. In the Great Mosque of Cordoba, a more impressive method consisting of intersecting arches as well as building a second arcade on top of a first lower level arcade was introduced figure 7. These clearly show the genius as well as the rational thinking in addressing various architectural problems.

Figure 2. Historic sources indicate that Sicily played the role of intermediary for the transmission of many Muslim motifs including the pointed arch. Professor Conant established the Sicilian connection through Amalfitan merchants who had trade links with Egypt where the pointed arch of Ibn Tulun — Egypt figure 8 must have been the source. White Endorsed this theory endnote 4 suggesting that it was transmitted to Amalfi — Italy in through commercial and trade ties with Egypt.

It was first used in the porch of the Abbey of Monte Cassimo — Italy in This challenges the idea widely adopted in Europe that the pointed arch, on which Gothic architecture is based, was an invention of European architects in their efforts to overcome the static problems in Romanesque vaulting. It is worthnoting that while works were being carried out, Monte Cassimo became the retiring place for the Tunisian Christian scholar, Constantine the African.

A physician and a distinguished scholar in mathematics, science and theology, with large experience of Muslim building techniques and forms in Muslim Fatimid North Africa, Constantine would have undoubtedly commented or advised in the building process. Such connections give credibility to this theory. Conant revealed that the new church of Cluny used some pointed arches in the aisles.

Other Muslim features included the use of catenary vaulting, polyfoil cusps framing the triforium arches, and the rectangular frame enclosing the arch of the gate , known as Ijmiz, destroyed in In , Abbot Suger visited Cluny and between and he and his engineers built St Denis, the first Gothic building.

The adoption of Cluny and Monte Cassimo, the two most influential churches in Europe, of the pointed arch and other Muslim forms encouraged the rest of Christian Europe to adopt it leading to its rapid spread across much of France, especially in the south, later in Germany in mid 12th century Heer , p. Figure 3. Ibn Tulun Mosque was another source for the transfer of the pointed arch to Europe.

Al-Aqsa was built in Jerusalem firstly by Omar 2nd Caliph in The semi circular vaulting caused some static problems in covering such large and irregular areas.

Originally built between She traced the pointed arch to India in the second century AD. The term Gothic was coined by classicizing Italian writers of the Renaissance, who attributed the invention and what to them was the nonclassical ugliness of medieval architecture to the barbarian Gothic tribes that had destroyed the Roman Empire and its classical culture in the 5th century ce.

Gothic art was a style of medieval art that developed in Northern France out of Romanesque art in the 12th century AD, led by the concurrent development of Gothic architecture. It spread to all of Western Europe, and much of Northern, Southern and Central Europe, never quite effacing more classical styles in Italy. The walls and pillars, timber scaffolding and roof were built first. Once the roof was in place, and the walls were reinforced with buttresses, the construction of the vaults could begin.

One of the most complex steps was the construction of the rib vaults, which covered the nave and choir. Gothic architecture, architectural style in Europe that lasted from the midth century to the 16th century, particularly a style of masonry building characterized by cavernous spaces with the expanse of walls broken up by overlaid tracery.

Cope and Stewardson were eloquent proponents of their gothic style in preference to classical Roman buildings, especially for college campuses. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Architecture What is the purpose of pointed arches in Gothic cathedrals? Ben Davis January 27, What is the purpose of pointed arches in Gothic cathedrals? What effect did the pointed arch have on architecture? What was the advantage of using pointed arches in cathedral construction?

What is the purpose of pointed arch? What does a pointed arch mean? What is a pointed arch or window called? What did the pointed arch allow Gothic builders to do? What is a pointed window called? What is a Gothic arch called? Did Romanesque churches have flying buttresses? Why are pointed arches stronger? What is the main difference between Roman and Gothic arches? What are the three defining characteristics of Gothic cathedrals?

When was the Gothic arch developed? Why is the pointed arch seen in Gothic architecture? Where did the term Gothic originate? How did Gothic art start? Why was the term Gothic once considered to be an insult? How did they build Gothic cathedrals?