MIDDLE AGE

ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

Week 10

“Romanesque” describes Western European architecture from the late 10th to the 12th century. The term Romanesque (“Roman-like”) was first used designate a style of architecture that used Roman arches and had thick, heavy walls, based upon the basilica, albeit a much endless technically competent version.

THE CATHEDRAL OF PIACENZA

buttressessemi circular archmassive thick wallfew/small openings

THE CATHEDRAL OF PISA

The Romanesque period is marked by:

• Immense relief the world hadn’t ended at the turn of the millennium.• The resurgence of cities and trade• The emergence of Europe as we know it• Strengthened Papal authority• The emergence of middle class and merchant class• Evolution of the Romance languages• The peak in feudalism as a political systemThere was continued growth in monasticism with two prominent orders:• Cluniac- education, music and art.• Cistercian – manual labour and self denial

ROMANESQUE CHARACTERISTICS• Thick heavy walls which support stone roofs• A blocky, earthbound appearance• Large, simple geometric masses• The exterior reflects the interior structure and organization• Interiors tend to be dark because of the massive walls that dictate small windows• Growing sophistication in vaulting to span the large spaces; barrel vaults, groin vaults and rib vaults are used

PIERS

In Romanesque architecture, piers were often employed to the support arches. They were built of masonry and square or rectangular in section

COLUMNS

• SALVAGED COLUMNSIn Italy, during this period, a great number of antique Roman column were salvaged and reused in the interiors and on the porticos of churches.

• DRUM COLUMNS

in most parts of Europe, Romanesque columns were massive, as they supported thick upper walls with small windows, and sometimes heavy vaults. The most common method of construction was to build them out of stone cylinders called drums.

CAPITAL

The foliate Corinthian style provided the inspiration for many Romanesque capitals

ARCHES AND OPENINGS

Arches in Romanesque architecture are semicircular. Small windows might be surmounted by a solid stone lintel, larger windows are nearly always arched. Doorways are also surmounted by a semi-circular arch,

TOWERS

Towers were an important feature of Romanesque churches and a great number of them are still standing. In northern France, two large towers, such as those at Caen, were to become an integral part of the façade of any large abbey or cathedral. In central and southern France this is more variable and large churches may have one tower or a central tower. Large churches of Spain and Portugal usually have two towers.

What are the characteristics of Piacenza Cathedral:

• It consists of nave and two aisle• It is decorated with capitals and

Romanesque statues• It has Rose window at the rear building

What is the most appropriate to define Romanesque architecture?

Massive thickness of wall with few and comparatively small openings

What are the characteristics of Romanesque architecture.

Thick heavy walls which support stone roofsA blocky, earth bound appearanceLarge, simple geometric masses

Describe FOUR differences between Romanesque and Gothic architecture

i.Romanesquea. Groin vaultb. Rounded archc. Buttresses – thick walld. Small windowe. Horizontal, modest height, plain, little decoration, solid

ii.Gothic a. Rib vaultb. Pointed archc. Flying buttresses – thinner walld. Large stained glass windowf. Tall and soaring, ornate, delicate, lots of sculpture