Romanesque Architecture

• Romanesque architecture uses Roman architectural elements
• There is no consensus for when Romanesque style began; proposals range from the 6th to 11th century

Characteristics and Features

• Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of medieval Europe
• The style is defined by semi-circular arches
• Ancient Roman architecture used arches for aqueducts and buildings
• Romanesque features include:
  • Harmonious proportions
  • Decorative arches on the facade
  • Thick and heavy walls
  • Small windows
• Similarities to Roman architecture:
  • Round arches
  • Stone materials
  • Basilica-style plan
• Influences also came from Byzantine architecture
• Romanesque architecture was built to inspire and impress

Development

• Romanesque architecture is often divided into two periods: the first and the Romanesque
• The latter period had better building techniques
• Romanesque cathedrals from the early Middle Ages (1000-1200) are solid, massive, impressive churches that are often the largest structure in many towns
• In Britain, the Romanesque style became known as "Norman" because the major building scheme in the 11th and 12th centuries was instigated by William the Conqueror, who invaded Britain in 1066 from Normandy in northern France

Interior Design

• The naves of churches had well modulated and geometrically logical arches
• Decoration is often simple, using geometric shapes rather than floral patterns
• Common geometric shapes included squares, lozenges and chevrons, and plain circles that echoed the arches
• Early Romanesque ceilings and roofs were often made of wood
• Architects had difficulty using stone to span the building, which created outward thrust and stress
• This led from barrel vaulting (simple, semicircular roof vaults) development to cross vaulting, which became more adventurous and ornate in the Gothic style
• Vault construction replaced the flat roofs of early Christian basilicas

Structural Elements

• Romanesque building walls are often of massive thickness with few and small openings
  • Double shells filled with rubble are common
• Romanesque style relies on walls, or sections of walls called piers
• Massive walls made buttresses less of a feature, unlike in Gothic architecture
  • Romanesque buttresses have flat square profiles and do not project far from the wall
• Arches are rounded in openings such as doors, windows, vaults, and arcades
• An arcade is a row of arches, supported on columns
  • They appear in the interior of churches, facades, and as decorative features
• Churches had between three and five naves; the central nave was higher than the others
• One or more naves form the long arm of the cross and end in an apse

Doorways

• Romanesque religious buildings feature three types of entrances:
  • Simple round arch entrance
  • Recessed or stepped entrance
  • A recessed portal with columns

Famous Buildings

• Pisa Cathedral, Italy
  • Architect: Buscheto
  • Resembles early basilican church in plan, with a nave and double aisles
  • Transepts end in apse
  • Features an elliptical dome and good proportions
  • The mosaic covering the apse began in 1301 and depicts Christ
  • Christ is flanked by the Virgin and John the Evangelist
• Durham Cathedral
  • A prominent example of Norman architecture in England
• Basilica of Saint Sernin, France
  • It was built in the 11th and 12th centuries
  • One striking feature is the extensive use of rounded arches
  • The arches help create vaulted ceilings, frame windows and doorways
  • One significant elements is the ambulatory, a semicircular passage surrounding the apse at the east end of the church