Romanesque Architecture Overview

Romanesque Architecture

• A style of architecture that emerged in Italy and Western Europe during the 9th century, lasting until the 12th century, when Gothic architecture arose
• The term "Romanesque" derived from the word "Roman" as it was a style influenced by ancient Roman architecture and engineering
• The term was first applied to this style in the early 19th century by French archaeologist Charles de Gerville or his associate Arcisse de Caumont, describing Western European architecture of the 5th to 13th centuries

Influences

• This style was the first distinctive architecture spread across Europe since the Roman Empire
• The construction of significant churches during this time was often initiated by rulers, serving as centers of both temporal and religious power, as sites for coronation and burial
• Feudalism, a system of social hierarchy based on land ownership, significantly influenced the architecture of this era
• The Crusades also played a part in shaping the period, as they led to a surge in religious fervor, impacting architectural projects

Architectural Characteristics

• Romanesque architecture is characterized by a sense of massive solidity and strength, prevalent in both religious and secular buildings
• Early Romanesque style utilized rubble walls, smaller windows, and unvaulted roofs
• Later Romanesque refinement saw an increased use of vaults and dressed stone in construction

Walls

• The walls of Romanesque buildings are typically thick with limited and relatively small openings, showcasing a heavy and imposing design
• Building materials varied across Europe, reflecting local stone availability and traditional techniques

Piers

• Vertical supporting structures used between openings or to support arches or lintels
• Often essential in supporting archways within Romanesque architecture

Columns

• Important structural elements in Romanesque architecture
• In Italy, many antique Roman columns were salvaged and reused in church interiors and porticos

Capitals

• The Corinthian style inspired many Romanesque capitals
• Some capitals displayed scenes from the Bible, while others depicted mythical creatures, or scenes from local saint legends

Arches and Openings

• Semicircular arches are a defining feature of Romanesque architecture
• Larger windows are typically arched, while doorways are also framed by semi-circular arches
• Lumettes, arched areas within a wall, housed windows, paintings, or sculptures

Vaults and Roofs

• Many Romanesque buildings feature wooden roofs
• Vaults of stone and brick were employed in several forms:
  • Barrel vaults with a semicircular cross-section
  • Groin vaults formed by intersecting vaults creating arched diagonals called groins

Domes

• Domes are usually found within crossing towers, where a church's nave and transept intersect. These domes are typically concealed externally, suggesting a complex construction scheme
• Romanesque domes often have an octagonal plan, using corner squinches to transition a square bay into an octagonal base

Romanesque Churches

• Abbey and cathedral churches often adhered to the Latin Cross plan which has three arms extending from the nave
• The nave is the central part of a church, extending from the entrance to the choir
• Aisle designates the lateral sections of a church, separated from the nave by columns or piers
• Arcade refers to a series of arches or piers
• Chancel is the space around the altar, often elevated and separated from the nave

Romanesque Churches (cont.)

• Triforium is a row of arches situated between the main arcade and the clerestory
• Ambulatory describes an aisle encircling the end of the choir or chancel
• Apse is the semicircular termination of a church sanctuary
• Chevet refers to the rounded east end of a cathedral, encompassing the apse and ambulatory

Romanesque Churches (cont.)

• Buttress is an external support, typically projecting from the outside wall, to stabilize a structure
• Clerestory is a portion of an interior raised above the roofline with windows allowing light into the space

Romanesque Church Facades

• Often symmetrical in design
• Typically feature towers:
  • A large tower over the crossing where the transept intersects the nave
  • Twin towers flanking the facade
  • Campanile, a freestanding bell tower, was common in Italy
  • Rose window