what is the connection with gothic architecture and people?

[chenlu]

I'm sure any architecture enthusiast have thought of this at some point of time.

[Indyman]

I have but I have no clue if there related.

[Liz L]

According to the good ol' Encyclopaedia Britannica, a GOTHIC NOVEL is "Romantic, pseudo-medieval fiction having a prevailing atmosphere of mystery and terror", called Gothic because it often used Medieval ruins or buildings - such as castles or monastaries - as settings, complete with underground passages, trap doors, etc. This started in the late 1700s, but continues today in paperback romances. So Medieval (ie Gothic) architecture simply appears as part of the "atmosphere," to rev up the "creep factor"

I mention that because there might be a relationship between Gothic novels and "Gothic" people - whom I call "Goths" to distinguish them from the architecture - but I'm not sure what that might be...More on that later.

[Liz L]

Hi, again - I finally looked up the rest of the answer...

The Gothic "atmosphere," including Gothic architecture as a backdrop, has crossed over from novels to movies - think Dracula, other vampires, and Frankenstein.

Then in the late 70s a British singer called her music "gothic," and the "Goths" picked up on the name and the dark, gloomy atmosphere of the books and movies - fascination with vampires, a lot of black, the supernatural, etc., as a countercultural protest...

So Gothic architecture and the Goths are only indirectly connected, since the architecture just "came along for the ride," so to speak...