How Ancient Churches Were Built
During the medieval period, workers used simple hand tools and faced dangerous conditions that would be unacceptable by today’s safety standards. Despite these challenges, they were motivated by a strong desire to build structures that would glorify God.
The outcome? Some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring buildings in the world, many of which have stood for thousands of years! Let’s explore how they managed to create these incredible churches.
First Step
The first step was to find an architect capable of designing the building. Additionally, the architect would have the expertise to pick the most skilled master craftsmen to engage in the project, since it demanded the collaboration of numerous highly proficient individuals.
The Tools
The tools required for building the cathedral would then need to be acquired. Surprisingly, they weren’t a wide variety of tools, as we have in construction today. They consisted of a pickaxe and axe, brace and bit, hammer, sledgehammer, chisel, auger, saw, squares and templates, plane, squares and templates, and mathematical dividers.
Foundation And Groundwork
The first step in this process was excavation. Builders cleared the site and dug deep foundations to support the immense weight of the cathedral, excavating several feet into the ground. Wooden pilings were then driven into the ground to stabilize the foundation, sometimes reaching depths of 65 feet or more in softer soil to ensure stability.
Stone Masonry
Stones were quarried nearby or transported from distant quarries. In the absence of modern equipment, this required an immense logistical effort and manpower. Skilled stonemasons meticulously shaped stones using chisels and hammers, ensuring precise dimensions so they fit securely. Every single stone was marked so they knew where to put it when construction started. Stones were stacked in horizontal layers (courses) using mortar, creating sturdy walls and structures that could support the weight of the cathedral’s roof and other parts.
Gothic Arches And Rib Vaults
Gothic cathedrals are famous for their pointed arches. Pointed arches distributed weight more efficiently than rounded arches, allowing for taller and more expansive interior spaces. The vast interior spaces of cathedrals, with their high ceilings and expansive layouts, symbolized the expanse of heaven, inviting worshippers to transcend earthly limitations and contemplate the divine. Through towering arches, abundant natural light, and intricate stained glass, cathedrals evoked a sense of awe and wonder, offering a glimpse of the infinite majesty of God’s kingdom. Intricate ribbed vaults supported the roof and transferred loads to columns, utilizing a system of intersecting arches and ribs to distribute weight evenly.
Flying Buttresses
Flying buttresses extended from the walls to counteract outward thrust, providing additional support and stability to the cathedral’s walls and allowing for the construction of taller, thinner walls with larger windows. Load distribution was important. Builders redirected the vaults’ weight to the ground, effectively transferring forces and preventing structural failure.
Clerestory Windows
The clerestory level had large windows, allowing natural light to flood in and create a sense of awe and spaciousness within the cathedral. Elaborate stained glass depicted biblical scenes and served as a form of visual storytelling and religious instruction for illiterate worshippers. Most people in this time period couldn’t read, and even if they could Bibles were extremely expensive, sometimes upwards of $20,000 in today’s money.
Rose Windows
Rose windows adorned the building, serving as focal points for the cathedral’s exterior and interior decoration. The intricate stone tracery held the stained glass in place, providing structural support while also adding to the windows’ aesthetic beauty.
Bell Towers (Campaniles)
Towers housed bells that called worshippers to prayer and signified important religious occasions and events. Taller towers symbolized spiritual ascent and served as beacons of faith for surrounding communities.
Scaffolding And Cranes
Temporary wooden scaffolding allowed workers to access higher areas of the cathedral during construction, providing a safer working environment at great heights. Basic cranes lifted heavy stones into place, enabling the assembly of massive structural elements with precision and efficiency.
Master Builders And Guilds
These skilled architects oversaw construction, applying their expertise in design, engineering, and craftsmanship to bring cathedral visions to life. Stonemasons, carpenters, and other craftsmen formed guilds to collaborate, sharing knowledge, resources, and techniques to achieve success in cathedral building.
Symbolism And Geometry
Cathedrals adhered to sacred geometry, such as the Golden Ratio, reflecting beliefs in the divine order and harmony of the universe. Every architectural detail held symbolic meaning, serving as a visual expression of the Christian faith.
Roofing And Lead Sheets
Wooden beams supported the roof, providing structural integrity and insulation for the cathedral interior. Lead often covered the roof to prevent leaks, offering durable and weather-resistant protection against the elements.
Finishing Touches
Decorative sculptures often adorned the exterior, serving both practical and symbolic purposes, such as diverting rainwater away from the building and warding off evil spirits. Frescoes, statues, and altars adorned the interior, creating a richly decorated and spiritually inspiring space for worship and reflection.
Time It Took
Many cathedrals took decades or even centuries to complete! The Cologne Cathedral, took approximately 632 years to complete, with construction starting in 1248 and concluding in 1880. On the other hand, Salisbury Cathedral was constructed in just 38 years, from 1220 to 1258.
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