Gotikinių bažnyčių kompozicija. Bendrieji ir saviti bruožai

After emerging in Western Europe in the 12th – 13th century, the Gothic style reached the western part of Lithuania in the late 14th century – early 15th century. At first it was similar to that observed elsewhere, but later became distinctive for local peculiarities of the style. Other countries' principles were supplemented with original local compositions. The article is aimed at revealing the local peculiarities and international qualities of the Gothic style in the western lands of GDL (ethnic Lithuania and Black Russia (now Western Belarus)). An analysis of medieval construction in this region and their comparison with other European architectural styles will clarify the region’s peculiarities. According to the author, architectural solutions might have been acquired from countries with which Lithuania maintains close ties (Russia, Poland, and Germany via the Teutonic Order). Since sacral buildings were the main type of medieval architecture in Lithuania as well as in other European countries, they represented the most distinctive peculiarities. In terms of topics, the article is divided into several parts. The first one is aimed at determining the typology of the layout and interior of churches. The second part analyses the exterior composition of churches. The third part tells about the interior. The article is supplemented with a scheme of the genesis of Lithuanian Gothic drawn up by the author. The final part of the article discusses general (composition principles) and distinctive (means of composition, proportions, counterforts with stairs, octagonal towers of several stages narrowing at the top, standing on a square platform, etc.) features of Lithuanian Gothic