Perhaps the most famous example of High Victorian Gothic architecture is Victoria Tower at the royal Palace of Westminster in London, England. A fire destroyed most of the original palace in 1834. After lengthy debate, it was decided that architects Sir Charles Barry and A.W. Pugin would rebuild Westminster Palace in a High Gothic Revival style that immitated 15th century Perpendicular Gothic styling. Victoria Tower was named after the reigning Queen Victoria who took delight in Gothic Revival architecture.
High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture has many of these features:
- Masonry construction
- Patterned brick and multi-colored stone
- Stone carvings of leaves, birds, and gargoyles
- Strong vertical lines and a sense of great height
- Realistic recreation of authentic medieval styles
Next: Gothic Revival in the United States >>
