Pinnacle
A pinnacle is a vertical ornamental element crowning a buttress, turret, parapet, spire or other structure. It is most commonly associated with Gothic architecture.
Pinnacles are typically made of stone and predominantly used for ornamental purposes, providing vertical emphasis breaking up hard outlines. In the case of some buildings, such as the Milan Duomo, they are topped with statues.
They can also serve a secondary structural purpose, crowning the piers of flying buttresses, where, being very heavy and often rectified with lead, they improve the stability of the buttresses, helping to counteract the lateral thrust of the vault, and shifting it downwards to the foundations.
The difference between a pinnacle and a finial is its greater size and complexity. The difference between a pinnacle and a tower or spire is its smaller size and performs a lesser architectural role.
Simple pinnacles were originally used on Romanesque churches, often as a means of distracting from the often abrupt transition from a square tower to a polygonal spire.
They became more common in Gothic architecture, where they were used in a much more decorative way, found at every major corner of a building, as well as on flanked gables and decorated parapets and buttresses.
Notable examples are to be found on Notre Dame in Paris, and the 24 m (80 ft) pinnacles of Reims Cathedral.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, pinnacles were used as part of the Gothic Revival style. Notable examples are to be found on the Palace of Westminster and New York’s Woolworth Building.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
Caithness Iron Age Stone Tower Conserved
The ruins of Ousdale Burn Broch, north of Helmsdale in Caithness, had fallen into further disrepair over the past 130 years.
The American Air Museum at Duxford has been listed Grade II*
Europe’s largest air museum and Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield – has been included in Grade II* listing, even though technically too recent.
West Dean College wins Sussex Heritage Trust Award 2020 for Roof Restoration
The College of Arts and Conservation has won the award for a for a project which provides or improves facilities for the community, including a £5.8M restoration of the College’s 126-year-old roof.
Stowe North Hall & WMF: A Step Closer to Completion
Completion of the restoration of Stowe House’s North Hall, largely funded by World Monuments Fund (WMF), came a step closer this summer with the installation of a statue of Mercury opposite the imposing Laocoön group installed last year.
IHBC CREATIVE Conservation Fund launched
The CREATIVE Conservation Fund helps the IHBC generate and distribute funds exclusively to deserving causes in built and historic environment conservation.
The tunnel near Plymouth with a nuclear secret
For years, there have been rumours whispered around Plymouth and Cornwall about so-called ‘nuclear tunnels’ that exist beneath the Tamar Valley.
141 bridges with ‘very poor’ rating remain open to avoid disruption
Just under half of England’s busiest bridges are severely defected or damaged, but have remained open due to concerns about an influx of traffic should repairs be ordered, it has been revealed.
IHBC’s new issue of 'Context' released, Oxford themed
The issue focusses on the future of an historic city – Oxford – and includes an introduction by Layla Moran MP, Chair of the new APPG on Conservation, People and Places which has the IHBC as its Secretariat.
Lawyers examine legality of planning approval for Stonehenge Tunnel
Opponents of the Stonehenge Tunnel have instructed lawyers to examine the legality of transport secretary Grant Shapps’ decision to give the scheme the green light.
'Unusual’ buildings index on DBW shows range of the world's built heritage
This index presents a range of fantastical, unusual, and bizarre buildings that have featured on Designing Buildings Wiki.