The History of Cathedrals
A cathedral is a building that serves as the headquarters of a bishop. Thus it serves as an administrative territorial unit, as well as accomodating religious ritual and services. The word cathedral is derived from the Latin word "cathedra," which means "seat" or "chair."
Origins
Augustine of Canterbury (died 604) is credited with building the first cathedral. Arriving on the coast of Kent, England, on a proselytizing mission commissioned by Pope Gregory the Great (c. 540 to 604), Augustine was given St. Martin's Church at Canterbury. With his team of 40 monks, he built extensions to the building, including the structure that would be known as Canterbury Cathedral. Augustine became the first archbishop of Canterbury---the principle leader of English Christianity.
The Romanesque Period
While early cathedrals were relatively modest and diminutive in size and design, later cathedrals were ambitiously magestic. The change in style could be attributed to the Dark Ages coming to an end, with the volume of conflict subsiding and people having more time to dedicate to more elaborate projects.
Cathedrals built from around 1000 were built in the Romanesque style, so named because of its derivation from Roman architecture. The cathedrals were mostly made of stone, usually with wooden roofs (buildings built with stone roofs had thicker walls to support them). Also, they possessed round arches and decorated column capitals, like the buildings of the Roman Empire. An example of a Romanesque cathedral is the Parma Cathedral in Parma, Italy.
The Gothic Period
People began to build in the Gothic style from around 1100 or 1200. The main difference between Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals is that while the former have round arches, the latter have pointed ones. Gothic cathedrals are bigger---and have more windows---than Romanesque ones, and all of them have stone roofs. Thus Gothic cathedrals are more spacious, safer and brighter than Romanesque cathedrals. An example of a Gothic cathedral is the Rouen Cathedral in Rouen, France.
Purposes
Cathedrals were more than just the headquarters for a bishop and his clergy. They were places for Christians in medieval Europe to pray, get married, hold baptisms or funerals, and seek spiritual guidance.
Today
Although most of the world's famous cathedrals are in western Europe, cathedrals may now be found in countries throughout the world, as a result of the spread of Christianity. The Sao Paolo Cathedral in Sao Paulo, Brazil is an example.
