What is the difference between gothic churches and romanesque churches?
Romanesque churches came first. They were bulky and strongly built with very thick walls. Their windows were in regular Roman arch shapes. They are usually in the shape of a cross and have lower ceilings–not much light inside. Gothic cathedrals came later and are much different. They are characterized by pointed arches, lots of tall windows to let in light, stained glass, and on the exterior, flying buttresses to help support the higher, thinner walls that all this required. Gothic cathedrals also tend to be decorated inside and out with carvings of saints and religious scenes–a great example is Salisbury Cathedral in England.
