The Gothic period began in the 12th century in the Île-de-France region of France. It quickly spread to other parts of Europe and remained the dominant architectural style until the 16th century. Some of the most famous examples of Gothic architecture include the cathedrals of Notre-Dame in Paris, France; Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France; and Salisbury Cathedral in Salisbury, England.
The Gothic period was a time of great cultural and intellectual change in Europe. The rise of the universities led to a renewed interest in classical learning, and the development of printing made books more widely available. These changes led to a new era of exploration and discovery, which culminated in the Age of Exploration.
The Gothic period was also a time of great artistic and literary achievement. Some of the most famous works of art and literature from this period include the works of Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. The Gothic period also saw the development of new genres of music, such as polyphony and ars nova.