1. Read and translate the text "Gothic Architecture".

2. Answer the following questions:

I .When did Gothic architecture flourish in Europe? 2. What architectural style did Gothic architecture succeed? 3. Were the French or the British first to erect a true Gothic structure? 4. Did France and England develop identical traditions of construction? 5. When did the term "Gothic" appear? 6. What types of structures were built in the Gothic style during the medieval period? 7. What do characteristic features of Gothic architecture include? 8. What does the Gothic style emphasize in ecclesiastical buildings? 9. What constructions replaced the massiveness of Romanesque vault during the Gothic period? 10. What members of structures emphasized the vertical principle of design in the exterior? 11. What part of a Gothic cathedral is refetTed as the West Front? 12. Why did the structure of windows develop from simple openings to rich decorative designs? 13. What can you tell about the purpose of stained -glass windows? 14. Can you describe a typical plan of most Gothic churches? 15. What are common features of the church exterior decoration in the Gothic style?

ІП. Fill in the blanks with the suitable words from the text:

advantages; are considered; vertical buttresses; res ts; shift; was completed. 1. The new structure of St. Denis Church .... and inaugurated in 1144. 2. Many large cathedrals .... priceless works of art. 3. The main .... from Romanesque architecture to the Gothic style coincided with rebuilding of old cathedrals. 4. The architects realized the .... of the groin vault. 5. A reinforced arch .... on thin pillars. 6. Projecting.... emphasize the vertical principle of design.

IV. Change the following into the Passive Voice.

1. The builders have used pointed arches in ribbed vaults. 2. The architects were developing the designs of the lofty cathedrals. 3. The cathedrals of northern Fiance and England constitute a parallel development in Gothic building. 4. The facade will create a powerful impression. 5. They are decorating the church exterior with tracery.

V. Find the English equivalents for:

контрфорс; арочний контрфорс; ппгаль; гострокінцева арка; каркасна конструкція; висота; ширина; легкість; пофарбоване скло; неф; боковий неф;

хрестове склепіння; перекриття; абатство; стовп; забезпечувати; проектувати; розробляти.

VI. Retell about the planning solution and the exterior and interior design of a Gothic church in great detail.

VII. Give a summary of the text "Gothic Architecture" in English.

VIII. Make up a dialogue. Speak about the exterior and interior decoration of a Gothic cathedral. Use the following words and word combinations:

mouldings; figurative sculpture; rose window; rich decorative design; stained-glass window; tinted light; to provide luminous richness ; to create a powerful impression; tracery; pinnacle; gargoyles; Biblical stories; to paint; bright colours; narratives.

Lesson 6

Text 6 reims cathedral

Notre-Dame de Reims: is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Reims where the kings of France were once crowned. Along with the cathedrals of Chartres and Amiens, ELeims Cathedral is a member of illustrious triad of "High Gothic" French cathedrals built in the 13^th century. It replaces the older church destroyed by fire in 1211 which was built on the site of the basilica where Clovis was baptized by Saint Remi bishop of Reims in 496 A.D. That original structure had been erected on the site of the Roman baths. Nowadays Reims Cathedral remains the seat of the Archdiocese of Reims.

The present Reims Cathedral was completed by the end of the 13 ^th century with the west front added in the 14^th centuiy based on the 13^th century designs. In the meantime the nave was lengthened to make room for the crowds that attended coronations. In 1875 the French National Assembly voted to fund extensive repairs of the fa9ade and balustrades. The facade is the finest portion of the building and one of the great masterpieces of the Middle Ages.

Three portals of the west front are laden with statues and statuettes. Among European cathedrals only Chartres has more sculpted figures. The central portal dedicated to the Virgin Mary is surmounted by a rose window framed in the arch decorated with statuary in place of the usual sculptured tympanum. The "gallery of the kings" above shows the baptism of Clovis in the centre flanked by statues of his successors. The facades of the transepts are also decorated with sculptures. That on the North has statues of bishops of Reims, a representation of the Last Judgement and a figure of Jesus while that on the south side has a beautiful rose window with the prophets and apostles.

The towers (267ft. high) were originally designed to rise 394 ft. '[he south tower contains two great bells one of which (named "Charlotte" by the Cardinal of Lorraine in 1570) weighs more than 11 tons. In 1481 fire destroyed the roof and the spires of the four towers that flanked the transepts. Above the choir rises £in elegant lead-covered timber bell tower that is about 59 ft. high. It was reconstructed in the 15^th century and in the 1920s.

The interior of the cathedral is 455 ft. long, 98 ft. wide in the nave £tnd 125ft. high in the centre. It comprises a nave with aisles, transepts with aisles, a choir with double aisles and an apse with ambulatory and radiating chapels. It has a profusion of sculptures and stained glass of the 13^lh century. The rose-window over the main portal and the gallery beneath are of rare magnificence. The north transept contains a fine organ in a flamboyant Gothic case. The choir clock is ornamented with curious mechanical figures. A famous Russian painter Marc Chagall designed the stained glass installed in 1974 in the axis of the apse. The cathedral possessed fine tapestries. One of these the most important series is that presented by Robert de Lenocourt, archbishop under Francois I , representing the life of the Virgin. Now one can see them in the Palace of Tau (the former bishop's palace). Notre-Dame cle Reims Cathedral, the former Abbey of Saint-Remi and the Palace of Tau were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in. 1991.