Rib Vault

The Gothic rib vault was one of the essential elements that made possible

the great height and large windows of the Gothic style.

Unlike the semi-circular barrel vault of Roman and Romanesque buildings,

where the weight pressed directly downward, and required thick walls and

small windows, the Gothic rib vault was made of diagonal crossing arched

ribs. These ribs directed the thrust outwards to the corners of the vault, to

the pillars and columns below. The space between the ribs was filled with

thin panels of small pieces of stone, which were much lighter than earlier

groin vaults. The outward thrust against the walls was countered by the

weight of buttresses and later flying buttresses.

As a result, the massive thick walls of Romanesque buildings were no

longer needed; Since the vaults were supported by the columns and pillars,

the walls between the columns could be thinner and higher, and filled with