Final answer:
Though originally built as a courthouse for a city, the building, with its ornate ceilings and intricate woodwork, eventually became an architectural icon. So, the correct answer is option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most appropriate term for the sentence is 'ornate,' which accurately describes the highly decorated and intricate ceilings that align with the architectural evolution from Romanesque to Gothic styles, featuring complex vaults and elaborated woodwork.
The term 'ornate' is appropriate as it suggests a highly decorated ceiling with complex patterns or embellishments, which is in keeping with the evolution of architectural styles from Romanesque to Gothic.
During the Romanesque period, ceilings often started with wooden structures but evolved to include vaulted stonework, with barrel and cross vaulting as stepping stones toward the ribbed and pointed formations of Gothic architecture.
As the Gothic style developed, ceilings became more intricate with the introduction of ribbed vaulting, which was a key feature of Gothic architecture. Intricate woodwork, on the other hand, can be tied both to structural elements of Romanesque and Gothic buildings, such as decorated beams in Italy or the profusion of carvings in late Gothic constructions.