A fleche is a type of spire or steeple that is used to top a building or monument. It is typically slender and conical in shape, and can be made from a variety of materials including stone, brick, or metal. Fleches are often used as an ornamental or symbolic feature for churches and other religious buildings, but have also been used for civic and secular structures. One interesting aspect of fleches is their historical significance. Fleches were commonly used during the Middle Ages and Renaissance as a form of architectural ornamentation. They were often used to signify the importance of the structure, and were used to indicate the direction of prayer, which is why they were more commonly found on churches and other religious buildings. Fleches were also used on buildings constructed during the Baroque period, as well as in the 19th century, although they were not as popular as they were during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Another important aspect of fleches is their function. Fleches are often used in combination with other features, such as buttresses and flying buttresses, to provide stability and support to the structure. They can also be used to provide an additional layer of protection against weather, as they are often positioned at the highest point of a building. In addition, fleches can provide a degree of ventilation, as the angled shape allows air to circulate freely within the structure. Overall, fleches are an important architectural feature that have been used for centuries to adorn and support a wide variety of buildings and monuments. Whether used for religious or secular purposes, fleches continue to be a popular and enduring symbol of architectural elegance and grandeur.
spire, steeple, ornamentation, stability, ventilation
Architecturally speaking, a flèche is a spire or any tall, thin structure that is used to top a building or a monument. The term flèche is derived from the French word meaning arrow and is often used to refer to a spire-like structure that is placed above the roof or roof line of a building or monument. It is a form of architectural ornamentation and was used frequently during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Flèches were also used on buildings constructed during the Baroque period, as well as in the 19th century, although they were not as popular as they were during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Flèches were often used to signify the importance of the structure, and were used to indicate the direction of prayer, which is why they were more commonly found on churches and other religious buildings.
Pinnacle, spire, steeple, tower, arrowhead.
CITATION : "Mark Wilson. 'Fleche.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=247376 (Accessed on August 02, 2025)"
Architecture's fleche is a specific type of spire or steeple, which is typically seen in French Gothic architecture. Historically, fleches have been used as an ornamental or symbolic feature for churches and other religious buildings, but have also been used for civic and secular structures. The fleche consists of a slender, conical spire, usually made of stone, which can be plain or decorated with pinnacles or crockets. It is usually topped with a vane or weathervane. The fleche typically has a large base and is usually placed at the intersection of the nave and transept of a church. Fleches are often used in combination with other features, such as buttresses and flying buttresses, to provide stability and support to the structure.
Gothic, Spire, Steeple, Vane, Pinnacles.
Masonry Fleche is a term used in the architectural field to describe a steeple-like structure with a spire that appears to be slightly curved or angled at the tip. The Fleche is typically built from stone or brick and can be used to adorn a variety of building styles, from churches to castles. The Fleche can be used to provide a visual and symbolic emphasis to a building, as well as to create an air of grandeur and elegance in the architecture. The Fleche is also used to provide an additional layer of protection against weather, as it is often positioned at the highest point of a building. In addition, the Fleche is also used to provide a degree of ventilation, as the angled shape allows air to circulate freely within the structure.
Spire, Steeple, Stone, Brick, Ventilation.
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