Final answer:
Gothic Architecture is distinguished by three main features: flying buttresses, pointed arches, and ribbed vaults. These structural elements enabled the construction of taller buildings with larger stained-glass windows and more elaborate designs, capturing the essence of the Gothic style.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three things that mark Gothic Architecture are flying buttresses, pointed arches, and ribbed vaults. These elements combined allowed gothic cathedrals to reach impressive heights and were instrumental in the architectural advancements of the time. Pointed arches enabled the construction of taller buildings with larger window spaces compared to the Romanesque style, which was characterized by more restrictive, thick-walled structures.
Flying buttresses are external supports that were critical in transferring the weight of stone roofs, thus allowing for higher walls and larger windows that flooded interiors with light. As for ribbed vaults, these were used to direct the weight of the ceiling down onto columns or piers, which allowed for slimmer walls and contributed to the aesthetics and structural innovation of this architectural style.
Examples of these elements can be observed in many of the grand cathedrals throughout Europe, such as in the Milan Cathedral, which features these key Gothic characteristics. The cathedrals and large structures of the Gothic period, such as churches, castles, and universities, are marked by their vast stained-glass windows, intricate traceries, and ornate facades, all thanks to these three core structural innovations.