Ambulatories with Multiple Ribbed Vaults
As has been noted, the late Gothic passion for multiple ribs affected the ambulatory as it did the remainder of the church, and vaults of most complex character are to be found especially in certain German churches. Of these, Güben ([Plate IV-e.]) and the cathedral of Freiburg (second half of the fifteenth century) [(Fig. 88)] are among the most elaborate.[450] In them, the structural purpose of the rib is totally subordinated to decorative principles and to a desire on the part of the builders to show their knowledge of the intricate problems of stereotomy. With such vaults as these, marking the decline of Gothic architecture, it is not surprising that there was such a complete reaction in vault construction on the part of the succeeding Renaissance builders.
Fig. 88.—Freiburg, Cathedral.
With this discussion of the ambulatory, the study of mediaeval church vaulting is practically complete, but a few paragraphs should be added to give a short account of some unusual eastern terminations and a brief reference to the radiating chapels. Both of these, while presenting no great structural accomplishments, at least show the skill of the builders in meeting any and all requirements imposed by the plan.