Ribgewelven

Ribgewelven, literally rib vaults, are a form of vaulting used in Gothic architecture, characterized by a framework of slender masonry ribs that form a skeleton for the vault. The ribs carry the load, while the web between them is filled with lighter masonry. This arrangement allows for higher ceilings and larger window openings compared to earlier barrel or groin vaults.

Construction and design: Pairs or bundles of ribs define compartments, often arranged in quadripartite (four-part) or sexpartite (six-part) patterns. The intersection points at the vault’s apex transfer loads to springers and corbels, enabling the use of pointed arches and, with flying buttresses, greater height and light.

History and distribution: Ribgewelven emerged in the late 12th and early 13th centuries in northern France and surrounding regions, spreading across Western Europe during the Gothic period. The rib framework enabled more complex geometries and longer spans, shaping the interiors of many prominent cathedrals of the era.

Notable examples: They are a defining feature of numerous French and English cathedrals, including Notre-Dame de Paris and Chartres Cathedral, as well as English monuments such as York Minster, Wells Cathedral, and Salisbury Cathedral. In some regions, later English examples developed into fan vaults, a highly decorative variation.

Significance: The ribbed system increased structural efficiency, allowed thinner walls and larger lancet windows, and supported the aesthetic emphasis on verticality and light characteristic of Gothic architecture. Today, ribgewelven remain a key term in architectural history and conservation.