As a young man, I spent a year in Paris in 1962. Following our art teacher, I became acquainted with Gothic cathedral architecture, with which France took over the leadership role in European church construction during the 11th century.
At the time, I could not suspect what great a role medieval architecture would occupy in my life after retirement.
After settling near Cologne, the problem was right in front of me. The pivotal point was the year 1248 - the laying of the cornerstone of Cologne Cathedral's choir, which is not only by local patriots considered to have been the introduction of Gothic architecture in Germany.
Thus, the use of this new style was lagging behind that of France, its country of origin, by a century.
Magdeburg Cathedral (started 1209)
The Liebfrauenkirche in Trier, as a centrally planned building, was not generally accepted as "Gothic".
Liebfrauenkirche Trier (started 1230)
Only the beautiful Elisabeth Church in Marburg found general approval as a Gothic building.
Elisabeth Church Marburg (started 1135)