Contest of the cathedrals - the Gothic period | DW Documentary

In 1144, the Basilica of Saint-Denis, near Paris, was consecrated. The construction was met with amazement by locals. Its hallmarks were extensive light, glass, pointed arches and diagonal ribs, and it ushered in what is known as the Gothic period.
"Let there be light!" - the biblical message emanates from the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Its Gothic building principles spurred medieval architects to ever more daring constructions. Rooms would be flooded with more and more light, buildings would rise higher and higher into the heavens. In the following 100 years, more than 20 large Gothic churches were built in the Paris region. And it barely took a generation for the trend to take hold elsewhere in Europe. A contest of cathedrals saw Freiburg, Strasbourg and Ulm build the largest churches of their time. It was not only nobles and bishops who saw in these splendid buildings a chance to enhance their reputation and power; the period also presented ideal opportunities to a social group that only emerged in the 12th Century: the middle classes.
Part 1: • Contest of the cathedr...
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[@adamplatenik]

Probably the most inspiring thing about the gothic cathedrals, the pinnacle of human creation, is that the architects and most workers were never able to see the project finished. They did not build for their eyes to see such beauty. They did so for us, for the generations to come, for their children and most importantly, for God and His ever greater glory. The beautiful gothic cathedrals are first and foremost the manifestation of human piety, devotion and fidelity.

[@rossevanricamara4169]

Too, bad the only things we value now are money. Skyscrapers are the embodiment of materialism.

[@mukatuta5969]

Yep,they didn’t build for the surfs who were being taxed into poverty

[@rossevanricamara4169]

@@mukatuta5969 No, serfs are tied to the land, they don't get taxed. And Church money is donations, tithes, or money earned from Church land.

[@X-AEA-12]

Gothic cathedrals are not the pinnacle of human creation. Not when classical architecture exists. Gothic architecture is a byline.

[@rossevanricamara4169]

@@X-AEA-12 I doubt that the Pantheon can measure up to the grandeur of the Cologne Cathedral. But wait, are you Elon Musk's newborn?

[@thefisherking78]

I'm not even religious and I always gravitated to the cathedrals while traveling in Europe. They are just breathtaking works of architecture and art, no matter how you feel about their original purpose.

[@anttikarttunen1126]

Now our cities are being filled with shopping malls instead. I wonder what will be thought about their architects and builders in five hundred years from hence?

[@thefisherking78]

@@anttikarttunen1126 we still find the markets of the ancient Romans interesting, but I share your jaundiced view of our modern commercial scene. So, who knows?

[@rae0521]

I must agree even while I concurrently consider them monuments to one of the fundamental flaws in humans who assemble herein to worship their "creator." If we are created in God's image, he/she/it must be one big mess.

[@andrewvillafuerte5590]

Same. I consider myself as agnostic but there is something with magnificent churches, temples and mosques that intrigues and fascinates me.

[@rae0521]

@@andrewvillafuerte5590 These structures are carefully crafted to INTIMIDATE and reinforce a FEAR of the unknown - in other words to CONTROL behaviour and OVERPOWER your common sense and logical thinking. The answers given in these buildings to questions such as "Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?" are nothing but the glib opinions and untested and untestable ASSUMPTIONS of other humans who only think they know more than you.

[@jfdb59]

These buildings are the absolute pinnacle of human achievement in construction, never to be repeated as we lack the skilled tradespeople, the money and the devotion. I hope I can see them in person one day.

[@dboydboy1000]

Search one up in your country. You might be surprised…

[@robertramsay5963]

What an excellent documentary. I especially appreciated the computer animations showing the structures' skeletons and how building progressed.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! :-)

[@lthompson6750]

@@DWDocumentary Amazing video, and yes, the computer animations were exactly what I was looking for. Excellent work! Thank you for this.

[@mattvaandering]

This documentary so perfectly appeals to our intellectual and emotional sides

[@jamesanonymous2343]

MATT,,,,,A VERY SENSITIVE AND TELLING OBSERVATION. THERE'S HOPE FOR ALL OF US.

[@fabiandimaspratamathesecond]

I love documentaries about Church architectures by DW. It's comforting my minds from stressful life.

[@leonlawson2196]

@@jamesanonymous2343 I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE FUTURE

[@Mrcool12684]

100%

[@dboydboy1000]

All part of the narrative…the Truth is much more fascinating.

[@mechailreydon3784]

The drone footage at the end was the cherry on top of an already beautifully crafted documentary

[@Amen.ahmed1]

As a construction worker myself years ago. I feel sorry for so many me who lost their life building those beautiful churches, without safety equipment and no Union

[@rossevanricamara4169]

Guilds can be considered as unions.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

I believe those craft guilds had more power then today's unions. But yes, without any safety harnas, once they were up every accident would be lethal.

[@gantongangsta3735]

They're underrated heroes.

[@wcbibb]

And no workers compensation insurance!!!!!

[@wcbibb]

@James Barlow precursors.....

[@agreinheimer]

I would like to suggest a third part to this series: The organs these great cathedrals contain. Just mentioning the Freiburg Munster, there are four organs in that cathedral, and five consoles. One organist at the fifth console can play all four organs at once. The organs alone are works of science, art and craftsmanship worthy of the cathedrals that house them.

[@raiseyourworld5324]

Used for healing

[@pancuroniumpete5171]

Magnificent buildings. Built without power tools , designed without computers. Erected without cranes. Nothing from our modern age even comes close.

[@sourcejosh]

Its almost as it they were built by a past civilization that possessed far superior technology and tooling and "we" inherited them.

[@supercat4539]

They used cranes

[@ninjakn3628]

@@sourcejosh No, they just had a motivation to build such things, that we have lost in our rejection of God.

[@The_Amazing_King_Orion_YT]

​@@supercat4539agreed they looked like hamster wheels

[@thomastaylor6699]

And that's why it took many generations to complete a cathedral of this size. There were no machines with electric motors, no forklifts, only pulleys and ropes, and stonemasons who were very gifted. The end result was a beautiful cathedral which has lasted hundreds of years.

[@vminshi]

Above all else, the reenactments were top-notch and greatly appreciated! Thank you DW, you're all amazing! 💖

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

I wholeheartedly agree. To some who worked on this project it might have been just another gig, but I feel others were spiritually inspired; they did superlative work throughout. Many, many thanks.

[@calvinruben2013]

you all prolly dont care but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb lost the account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me

[@wilsongrey8781]

@Calvin Ruben instablaster ;)

[@claudiosaltara7003]

Would be nice to see a whole video showing the maintenance workers doing their job on the walls and and flying buttresses of the church.

[@curiousworld7912]

I find the buildings man creates for living, working, worshiping - all of it - fascinating. The Gothic has always been my favorite example of what men can dream, they can find a way to build. And building these exquisite cathedrals in the time they were first conceived of and designed, is amazing. Thank you for the wonderful documentary. I look forward to DW's content.

[@bcalvert321]

Most are empty now.

[@Matoakas]

I love how clever they was. How to build the walls to support the weight, so the windows wouldn't brake. The curved, or pointy upper part of the roof, window frames, and structure. Its ingenious. Both beautiful and practical. And in some way... there is artistic beauty in the sense that, workers nor preasts or other authorial people who started the work, saw it finished.

[@jasonali4122]

What a superb documentary. To the people who put this together, thank-you.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@rishabhbhatia1847]

I have visited Strasbourg and watching that cathedral in this documentary gave me goosebumps. Its a magnificent beauty to watch in person.

[@anthonypeters8714]

Extremely beautiful documentary by the DW team as always. A treat to see this episode about Gothic highly artistically and excellent input's by how it was done. Masterpiece architectural beauty. Thanks enjoyed every moment of the narration.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for the positive feedback! We're glad you liked the film. :-)

[@prototropo]

I wish, wish so much that all the good, hard-working craftsmen, town elders, humble farm and trade citizens who dreamed of the day their beloved cathedral would be complete could see that short, soaring film! They would melt in tears or explode in joy. I just did both.

[@jonshields1315]

Absolutely beautiful. It’s almost beyond belief that they engineered these during the medieval period. These cathedrals were the equivalent to our modern day malls and theme parks. But with the added grace of being the place to seek and worship Christ. Engineered in such a way as to give the impression of heaven on earth, they must have been breathtaking to traveling first timers.

[@FlavioRodrigo]

Thank you so much for producing and sharing this rich kind of content with us. I´m anxiously waiting to be back in Europe soon, and visit more Cathedrals.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

I'm fairly well educated . ( degree etc ). But I simply cannot comprehend how one even begins to plan / design such a magnificent creation. With the tools and equipment available at the time ? ! Speechless...!

[@pallieter375]

yet we think of medieval people as backwards. i think we are the backwards ones

[@kevinmcmillin870]

Well educated? You have awful punctuation skills.

[@johneclr5733]

I love to do religion's tourism i visit different religious places and admire the beautiful structures people have built and watch the people worshipping its amazing and an beautiful experience

[@dominikdeluga5268]

It's so painstakingly beautiful and mesmerising words cannot describe what I feel while seeing it. It's almost like heavens opened and we've got but a tiny glimpse into its excellence.. God is great.

[@brendonbonner3309]

Love DW docos generally but this one ... just beautiful. Something about people seeking to create something so awesome and at the limits of what people could achieve then. And they kept it human, loved Peter with his spectacles. Inspiring stuff.

[@gerry343]

10:25 Just think, the original builders would not have had the sophisticated climbing equipment and strong ropes of the present day.

[@USmetallist]

They do... What are the modern skyscrapers you think?.... Modern version of the Cement masons of Ancient Egyptian Pyramids 😎

[@greatest2002]

You are right.

[@lalhruaitluanga1987]

Watching from Mizoram, India🇮🇳

[@allwyncyril8810]

Kerala India

[@DWDocumentary]

Greetings! Thanks for watching. Be sure to check out our channel for more content. :-)

[@SuperBooboohaha]

DW gives us the best documentaries.

[@DWDocumentary]

Glad to hear you like our content! :-)

[@phlezktravels]

DW: Thank you for this.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. :-)

[@phlezktravels]

I'd love to work for you! I have journalism experience and training ✌️😇

[@kanjired8195]

God bless DW.

[@YuRiSunga]

@@DWDocumentary English subtitles please

[@wills_prc]

Great documentary as always! I live near Chartres Cathedral and I think it is the best example of the "let there be light" mindset.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for your comment! :-)

[@StephiSensei26]

As an architectural enthusiast of the European school, I thank you DW for once again broadening my education and appreciation for these monuments in human creativity and problem solving. Part 2 beautifully compliments Part 1 and was well worth the wait. Another point, if I may, is the time scale in which these magnificent builders worked their art. They were not pressed for time, as they were seeing long into the future. Their works made them part of the future, even if they never saw their works completed. In contrast, our "modern" world, where everything has to be completed in an instant, has neither value nor future, except for the waste it produces. We still have much to learn from our predecessors. Perhaps, less speed and more forethought might be a good place to begin? Bravo DW!

[@heavent883]

damn Christianity really change Europe with architecture with art and so on, my God bless Europe and my God keep make Europe glory.

[@fghjk3456]

So amazing building. I am moved. It's like plan of God to bring generations of people together to remember where we came from and the passion people had for what they believed in. Passion and determination will create wounders.

[@elvenkind6072]

This documentary by DW about the evolution of cathedrals in Europe is far better then the similar 4-part series from BBC about cathedrals in various counties of the UK. Bravo again for top quality productions, that make me love DW, both news and documentaries, and anyone that watches these, should at least show their gratitude by subscribing, since this might give just some few funds back to what they invest into the making of these top quality productions. Lots of love from Norway.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks a lot for watching and for the positive feedback! We're glad you like our content. :-)

[@EricHunt]

I rarely watch documentaries with dramatic reenactments but this was perfect. Really good work!

[@gthomashart3926]

A beautiful evocation of all of the thought which goes into these buildings!!!

[@MrBen101199]

I'm watching this from Malaysia and wondering if I ever have enough money to travel to visit these amazing cathedrals.

[@matthewmann8969]

Lots of books, pages, chapters, paragraphs, texts, scripts, scriptures, scrolls, and writings to go by

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Thank you for discussing Freiburg Muenster. I knew you had to include it. I studied there as a student years ago but I did not fully appreciate that it was not owned by Rome. It is a Muenster after all. It is so impressive that the entire people helped with its final construction and up keep. It really should be a UNESCO site.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Did I write this. I had forgotten. I was very articulate 😅

[@oldschool8432]

Just unbelievable what they built then without modern machinery

[@LovepreetSingh-br5it]

41:00 - 41:30 being a scaffolder myself I can't stop wondering that people who installed this scaffold, how the hell the pulled it off without imposing any additional damage to the historical structure. I can only imagine how much of manual labour would have gone into it. Most of the time( or always) our work is gone unnoticed. But I am telling you, considering all the technicalities and hard work . This kind of job is a piece of art in it's own rights. If you have ever worked in scaffolding or seen it being installed you know what I mean. Massive respect to the people who erected this gigantic scaffold and made all other renovations possible.

[@mjc11a]

Excellent presentation! Informative, educational and awe-inspiring all at once. The craftsmen who made these buildings are within their own right national treasures. Thank you DW Documentary and be safe 🙏

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and for the positive feedback! We're glad you like our content. :-)

[@socio-economicnewsnetwork4740]

This makes me want to visit europe again 😍😍

[@anneruhnke4228]

Me too!

[@hutchboy4765]

@@anneruhnke4228 :P

[@dboydboy1000]

These magnificent pieces of work are all over the world, not just Europe. Every continent contains them. Even some islands…in fact Australia/New Zealand have dozens!

[@socio-economicnewsnetwork4740]

@@dboydboy1000 then you have never visited europe, there is art in every street in Europe, very beautiful and number one in cleanliness. These Gothic architecture is very few in Europe and not found in Australia or NZ

[@maxwellkissieduasamani6447]

This architectural structures were beyond human imagination... I believe they were being inspired and build by Angels from the Almighty God to manifest His Glory here on earth 🌎

[@jcmoff]

Masons did

[@Aeoline]

I'm pretty sure that Lincoln Cathedral in England claimed the title of highest building for some centuries since it originally had two western spires and a great central spire. These spires were of wood and lead. Later dismantled as they became unstable if I recall correctly. Not to mention Old St Pauls Cathedral in London, the great gothic structure destroyed in the Fire of London in 1666. Old St Pauls had a great central spire of wood and lead which is claimed reached about 520ft or thereabouts, higher even that Lincoln. This was later struck by lightning and then dismantled.

[@theven.johnc.yanekd.d.3534]

Mo kopp

[@starry2006]

I was flicking through this to see if they touched on Lincoln.

[@AnneVallettekkiequeen]

I felt the quest for light, for learning, for questioning. Visited twice. I love the different eras of Gothic thrust and the faith of a creation of reality that still uses the colored light lessons of this Catholic cathedral from the beginning of the mystery of mysteries or just used as teachers of Jesus and yes the changes....

[@NewVoiceMMI]

Wow. Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth!

[@andywilliam367]

Do you like peace on earth which is temporary or prefer peace on Heaven which will be forever. The Bible said that God did not bring peace on earth. He bring Sword. This earth need to be clean by Fire (hell) and renew so the New Jerusalem and Heaven can come down for His people. Blessing 🙏

[@gideoncaballes]

the drone footage was amazing. very nice documentary. thank you!

[@knightwatchman]

That drone flight at the end was sooooo coooool.

[@fidobite3798]

These cathedrals are indeed mankind's finest architectural wonders! I only wish they had been built of more durable stone, but, of course, the intricate carvings would have been orders of magnitude more difficult and time consuming to have completed. The maintenance and preservation work will truly never end!

[@Anielusz498]

Wonderful documentary! I would love to see another covering the era of baroque churches.

[@pmajudge]

OUTSTANDING !!! DOCUMENTARY ---- THANKS DW DOCUMENTARY. ENJOYED IT ALL !!!! FROM U.K. (2021).

[@arbaz79]

Amazing Documentary by DW regarding Gothic Cathedrals❤.Great drone footage in the end.I would love to have an entire city based on Gothic architecture.Anyway keep it up with such great documentaries 👍. Love from PK💚.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and for the positive feedback. :-)

[@paolopablo5292]

Gothic Cathedrals are so magnificent of their age and era that in need of rescue for the next generation.

[@deanfawcett2085]

Fantastic! Good work, DW!

[@JennRighter]

I LOVE the voice of the narrator so much.

[@capitalgains4194]

That architecture is as beautiful as that hand writing. I wonder if anyone is alive that can build these structures exactly how they used to before or is it a lost art?.

[@cpop6895]

Were 'typos' ( or handwriting errors) made in these medieval books, and if so, how were they corrected since the work was done in permanent ink?

[@DevSarman]

As I currently studying architecture, I can see that the structure of Gothic architecture is a precursor of a column and slab structure as we know today, with its distribution of weight from the building's own weight.

[@donaldjacobson4184]

Excellent documentary as always. Thanks so much

[@kimberlymathis9826]

The credits appearing during the drone fly-over was brilliant!

[@cherylnagy126]

Excellent video, enjoy seeing the way in which these architectural structures are achieved.

[@rs120]

what a fantastic documentary.. Thank you very much for this work! Cheers

[@peteacher52]

Superb. This documentary is the perfect companion to Ken Follett's excellent book, The Pillars of the Earth.

[@brindade2004]

We await more videos of this series.

[@timeisfluid]

I want to know why we stopped building like this it makes absolutely no sense why we wouldn't continue to build with such precision and beauty

[@srats56]

we did not build these places, ask yourself how would they build like this with horse and buggy his story is not our story

[@dawnglianapachuau6433]

This documentary is just exquisite.

[@1puppetbike]

Great work! I'll have to check and see if you cover the star cities that are the foundations for so many of these cathedrals.

[@virn143]

The Gothic Period is finally here. Loved the Part 1 - Romanesque Period

[@lukespurgeon5964]

That opening music has got a total "The Magnificent Seven" theme (Bernstein) vibe, and I love it! Great choice!

[@wrightgregson9761]

such a fine documentary!!! low key but strongly and well written.

[@NN-gx9ro]

Thank you, this is an amazing documentary, I am glad to have discovered DW.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching! We appreciate the positive feedback.

[@pierremoreau986]

Excellent documentary, thank you.

[@GENGamerZ00]

The guy who has a system to analyze cracks. Makes sense to analyze if a rollercoaster breaks before someone is injured.

[@binkwillans5138]

This marvelous film is a gift. And the soaring heights are near unbelievable.

[@patrickbarrett5650]

Superb presentation and narration.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@annahopp]

I love this involuntary definition of eternity: It takes a hundred years to restore a Gothic cathedral. And after a hundred years it is time to start restoring the same Gothic cathedral. Again and again and again.

[@user-bj8jw5km9f]

Not unlike the cycles of nature.

[@dougg1075]

Thoughts ribs branching out with the warped wood was amazing

[@nicholasmcgarvey1378]

Amazing to see, great doc

[@MMijdus]

Beautiful documentary! I am a sculptor myself, I love this.

[@DWDocumentary]

Glad you liked the documentary. We upload documentaries regularly so don’t forget to subscribe.

[@camelia9802]

I don't envy the stone masons climbing the Strasbourg steeple. Excellent documentary.

[@wellallrightthen]

Very nice documentary; and the narrator is especially good. Thank you to all

[@raiseyourworld5324]

You should watch his docu series 'What on Earth Happened'

[@krisztianpapp1150]

What a drone shot from the Ulm Cathedral! Awesone

[@adoatero5129]

Adding to other good things that has been said here about the video, I think the well made computer images and animations were useful to get a better understanding of the structure of the buildings, and how they were made. It's always so boringly same to watch DW videos: have a good time while watching it, and feel mentally nourished afterwards :-).

[@shashikanthgundibail]

So gud these documentary keep it up👍

[@felipericketts]

Wow, what an amazing story, and still going on! 🙂

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

Watching from Kenya

[@minhbui3579]

Hello from Bangkok

[@peninahmburu7247]

Hao sawa 👊👊

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching! Hope you liked the documentary. :-)

[@allwyncyril8810]

Superb... thank you DW

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for taking the time to comment! :-)

[@cabonegrojohnpatrick6930]

Because of the man-love for his god, he built incredible and marvelous architecture for worshiping his god.

[@bcalvert321]

And most are empty now.

[@cabonegrojohnpatrick6930]

@@bcalvert321 Yeah, you're right. Because people don't believe in lies anymore, and abuses of some priests. Their powers have been taken over by oligarchs and politicians long ago.

[@PhamVans]

Beautiful, a lot of those cathedrals remind me of the churches in Eastern Canada.

[@alfabravo80]

Magnificent! 👏Thank you 🙏

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@alfabravo80]

@@DWDocumentary My pleasure. You did an amazing job. I learned so much!

[@rayoflightcanada]

im loving Germany day after day , thank you DW for this incredible doc

[@hgchhuyy1978]

Great documentary

[@DWDocumentary]

Hi @Smooting Relaxing ZONE! Thanks for watching :)

[@vaughangarrick]

Her voice is so calming

[@raymondotika7486]

this DW documentary is the emotions and religious mysteries come alive

[@Pelsjager]

Quality stuff! 👏

[@divyanshumittal2566]

Amazing. Thankyou for your efforts. I request you to make a documentary on the temples in India.

[@gorrugor256]

Simply wonderful. I can't imagine me projecting something which only my grandgrandchildren will view in NOT full splendour. Medieval architects were tough!

[@hermitthedruid]

Been to the top tower of the Ulm Munster, very cool. Quite a workout climbing up there!

[@geoms6263]

i recommend Civilisation: A Personal View by Kenneth Clark-is a television documentary series written and presented by the art historian Kenneth Clark.

[@big1dog23]

Well done!

[@veenalouis5625]

This cathedral is beyond our understanding

[@ArcAudios77]

Excellent, thanks.