Properties of Cathedrals

Cathedrals have a few different requirements to be considered a cathedral.  All of them have a rose window, flying buttresses, gargoyles, a relic, pointed arches, columns and be in the shape of a cross.  The rose window is in the very front of the cathedral above the entrance.  Flying buttresses support the weight of the roof, and contained a column extending outward from the cathedral.  Gargoyles provide an escape for water, so the weight of the roof does not increase too much.  They were named for the noise they made when water flows out.  All cathedrals contain a holy relic, with this being the focal point of many cathedrals.  They have pointed arches and spires that make up the ceiling.  Columns supported roofs while providing more decoration.  Roman columns were much thicker than their Gothic counterpart.  Finally, cathedrals must take the shape of a cross from an aerial view.  The entrance is the top of the cross, while moving through the cathedral is like moving down the cross.