It’s bewildering to think, how almost a millennium ago, without power, computers or even formal knowledge of  materials strength, these majestic superstructures were conceived, engineered and created.

The photographer, David Stephenson, does a sensational job at capturing both a kaleidoscope of beauty and detail as well as the emotional force of these nobel gothic cathedral vaults.

His book, Heavenly Vaults: From Romanesque to Gothic in European Architecture, in addition to outstanding photography, details specific technological achievements and a bit on each vaults history. Oh, and then there’s these.