All over the world we still come to admire the beauty of European cathedrals. Many cathedrals are fragile due to age, neglect, pollution and insufficient funds available to restore these beautiful historic buildings. However, visitors to these architectural masterpieces remain fascinated by the design and structure of these churches. The builders of the cathedral, using their ingenuity, expertise and limited resources, were able to defy the laws of gravity and time. (Icher 30)During the Middle Ages there were two main types of architecture, the Romanesque style and the Gothic style. The Romanesque period took place approximately between 1096 and 1270 (11th and 12th centuries), and the Gothic period took place approximately between 1150 and 1450 (13th through 15th centuries) (Bersson 383). Evidence of both architectural styles emerged throughout Europe. The political landscape had changed and the Christian church provided a measure of unity throughout the centuries of this medieval era (Stalley 13). The Romanesque period began a period in which interest in religion intensified. The church was a place where all people could belong regardless of their status. It was during these times that large churches called cathedrals began to emerge. The era of the Crusades took place underlining the need for places of worship and community gathering. People went to churches not only to see the relics housed in the church brought back from the Holy Land by the Crusades, but also to seek redemption. This influx of prospectors brought money to help pay for churches. This allowed the birth of new cities, the exchange of goods and services, which ev...... middle of paper ......stinations. Network. 22 November 2010. .Icher, François. Building the Great Cathedrals. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998. Print."Italian Gothic." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Network. November 22, 2010 ..Keyes, Zaccaria. Personal interview. Denise Keyes. November 21, 2010.Stalley, Roger. Early medieval architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print.Tyler, Ellen. "Milan Cathedral - Symbolizes the Gothic structure." May 14, 2010. Ezine Articles. Network. November 22, 2010..Wilson, Christopher. The Gothic cathedral: the architecture of the great church. New York: Thames & Hudson, 1990. Print.