How did Spanish Gothic architecture differ from French Gothic architecture?

Spanish Gothic architecture differed from French Gothic architecture primarily in its structural emphasis and decorative influences. While French Gothic cathedrals often prioritized the expansion of the clerestory to maximize light, Spanish architects favored the use of giant interior arcades, a design choice influenced by models such as Bourges Cathedral.1

Key distinctions include:

• Structural Focus: Early Spanish Gothic buildings, such as the cathedrals of Burgos and Toledo, utilized giant arcades rather than the extended clerestory elevations common in northern French examples like Amiens.1
• Decorative Style: Late Spanish Gothic architecture, often termed Plateresque, is noted for its intricate, silversmith-like detail and the incorporation of heterogeneous elements, including Mudéjar (Arabic) forms.23
• Vaulting: By the late 15th century, Spanish architects developed unique, intricate vaulting patterns with curvilinear designs, distinct from the Flamboyant style prevalent in France, which focused more on flamelike window tracery and elaborate facades.24

While Spanish architectural sculpture generally remained more conventional than the German style, it largely conformed to the elegant, mannered traditions established in France.5