Clerestory

High wall section with windows.

Overview

Clerestories, built with stone and glass, allow light into upper interiors, common in Gothic and Roman architecture.

Core Characteristics

• High and light-admitting.
• Structural and decorative.
• Gothic prevalence.

Notable Examples

• Notre Dame (France, 1345, clerestory).
• Hagia Sophia (Turkey, 537, clerestory windows).

Architectural Connections

• Gothic: Light focus.
• Religious: Cathedrals.
• Gothic Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Led by Abbot Suger, it enhances interior luminosity.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Stained Glass (technique), Light and Space (theory), Window (element), Byzantine Architecture (movement)