Gotik

Gotik is the German term for Gothic, used to describe a broad cultural and artistic tradition that originated in medieval Europe and persisted in later revivals. In German usage it covers architectural form, literature, and related cultural phenomena, as well as the modern Gothic subculture and fashion.

The word Gotik comes from Latin Gothicus, via Renaissance and early modern writers who used it to label a medieval style that they considered barbaric compared with classical antiquity. The term was adopted into German in the same pejorative sense and later came to refer more neutrally to the medieval and Neo-Gothic periods.

Gothic architecture emerged in the 12th century in northern France and spread across Europe. Its defining elements include pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and tall, light-filled interiors. Stained glass and tracery windows were used to illuminate religious spaces and to convey spiritual ideals. Prominent examples include Chartres, Reims, and later cathedrals across the continent. The style evolved into Late Gothic and regional variants before giving way to the Renaissance in most areas.

In literature and art, Gotik describes the Gothic tradition, especially in the 18th–19th centuries. Gothic fiction features mystery, supernatural elements, and atmospheric settings often linked to medieval or remote locales. The genre includes early works such as The Castle of Otranto and later novels by Radcliffe, Shelley, and Stoker. A Gothic revival also influenced architecture and design in the 18th–19th centuries.

Today, Gotik also designates a contemporary subculture and fashion rooted in dark aesthetics, and a music scene (Goth rock, darkwave) that draws on medieval motifs, romanticism, and melancholy.