What are flying buttresses?

Between the 12th and 16th Centuries, churches were built with Gothic Style grace and elegance, a feature that wasn't always present; until the flying buttress.

Churches were dismal, dark and dreary, with massive columns. Walls were under enormous pressure, and due to weight restraints, windows were lacking. Churches weren't seen as they are today; mighty, gracious and holy.

The flying buttress is a marvel in itself. Not only did it provide the structural support needed, it provided a look and feel all of its own. One can't see the grandness and greatness of these larges structures without noticing these marvelous features.

With a support located away from the wall, and a curved masonry or brick pillar connected to a weight bearing wall; walls could be thinner, and windows of great proportion could be added, giving new light to the inside of these churches that was once missing. New heights could be reached, walls could go higher and cathedral ceilings were possible.

Nothing more than an elegant "prop" for these outer walls, the flying buttress is very simple in design; but vastly important to the design and importance that these beautiful creations signify today.

The flying buttress, also known as an arc-boutant, is comprised of a pillar located away from the weight bearing wall which provides the added support need for the weight bearing wall. The next part or the arch would be "framed in" as we would today do with concrete. It was very important to let the masonry cure properly and slowly. The arch would be constructed on the ground, by carpenters. Once this was dry and properly cured, it would then be hoisted in the air and attached at both ends, one to the building and one to the pillar.

A flying buttress isn't always connected to a pillar. Sometimes they would be connected to two outer walls. It wasn't uncommon for there to be more than one flying buttress connected to one wall, either. If the height was of magnificent altitude, it was necessary for additional arches to maintain the structural integrity.

Still to this day, no one knows who invented the flying buttress, but they made their first appearance on the inside of buildings. The first church said to use the flying buttress on the outside, is the French Romanesque Abbey Church of Cluny III. Unfortunately, there is little documentation from the 1100's when it was built to actually prove this. Another church among one of the first is the famous Notre Dame de Paris.

No matter who invented it, or when they were first used; the flying buttress is among one of the most magnificent marvels of its time. It made way, developed and advanced today's structures. But even with advances, the beauty that the flying buttress provided can never be reproduced.