Blogpost 6 Feb. 21, 2011

               When investigating the Cologne and Salisbury cathedrals we discovered that both acted as a safe haven from the rest of the world during the rough time. These cathedrals could be thought of as their own region, separating themselves from other building designs, and reaching towards the sky. The definition of region is an extensive, continuous part of a surface, space or body. Gothic Cathedrals are very extensive and you see continuous concepts in design today deriving from that. Many designs have adapted to the idea of a vast open, tall, intricate ceiling as seen in the gothic cathedrals.
            From all the details that when into the gothic cathedrals you can speculate some of what their ideals were. At the alter of the cathedral there were 9 windows grouped into threes. Catholics believe deeply in the father, the son and the holy spirit. These groups of 3 stacked upon one another, resemble that relationship. The most light is let in at the alter. Catholic's believe that Priests are closest to God. Light behind the alter, hitting the priests shows their holiness and closeness to the the Lord.

        The cathedral is like a city of God, where people wanted to be inside the gates, sheltered from the rest of the world during the dark ages. The emperors had a weak centralized power and the cities were growing massively in size. People relied on the church as a safe haven. The circle around the cathedral symbolizes the sacredness of the space to the people. Serpents and evil surround the gates, trying to get inside.