Before HTTP became popular, there was another protocol for accessing remote documents on the internet. This protocol was called Gopher. Gemini is an extension of the Gopher protocol that includes things like TLS.
Gemini exists separately from HTTP and thus "the world-wide web".
thanks!
Some nerds prefer a closed system where the main topic of discussion is the system itself.
No, Gemini is not built on top of the web (HTTP). It's an alternative to the web.