Architecture in the Romantic Age
In a general sense, painting and even literature in the Romantic movement experienced a revival of Medieval culture and styles, at least to some degree. During the 19th century, Romantic architecture was absolutely no exception to the rule. In architecture, the Romantic movement in Europe would spark a widespread reuse of Gothic building styles. Starting in Britain and subsequently spreading to other areas of Europe, this revival would lead to the production of many buildings that were essentially Gothic, characterized by pointed arches, large windows, steep gables and heavy, detailed decoration. By the 19th century, countless projects had been undertaken across Europe to promote modern imitations of medieval structures. Countless medieval cathedrals underwent new restoration projects, and many other churches were designed to resemble their more ancient counterparts. However, one of the most well-known examples of such as restoration did not occur in a religious context, but a political one. From 1836 to 1837, the British Houses of Parliament would undergo a massive Neo-Gothic reconstruction effort, after a fire had severely damaged the buildings two years before. On the continent, the castle of Neuschwanstein in southern Germany still stands as one of the most remarkable examples of Neo-Gothic restoration in the 19th century.