Romanesque Churches

1141 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What is the difference between gothic and romanesque architectures

Discuss the ways in which the main architectural features of Romanesque churches differ from those of Gothic cathedral, and make detailed reference to scale, structure and layout and decoration.
Name and discuss briefly one example of Gothic sculpture that you have studied.
Illustrate your answer.

Romanesque churches differ from Gothic churches by their architectural and decorative features.
Abbot Suger who was one of the first to introduce the Gothic style was fascinated by the religious implications of light and his new concept was for an 'architecture of light' which differs from Romanesque style architecture which had a dark and solemn aspect to their churches.
Romanesque church features were:
Blocky in shape: Which gave them a solid …show more content…

An ambulatory facilitated viewing the relics.
Lighting: The nave and the transcept lit up the central area and had the effect of drawing pilgrims towards the alter and the choir.
Cut Stone: Many churches were built with ashlar masonry, that is, even, regularly cut blocks of stone, suitable for monumental architecture.
Comparing these characteristics to the Gothic periods shows the differences between the two era's.
Gothic church features were:
Pointed Arches: That were stronger than the rounded Romanesque arch.
Rib Vaulting: was far more effective of supporting stone roofs then either barren or groin vaulting.
Buttresses: and external arches on the higher parts of the wall, called flying buttresses supported the wall and eliminated the problem of outward thrust.
Thinner Walls: allowed for buildings of much greater height and elegance than the Romanesque style. Solid walls were no longer a structural part of the building, so it instead became a skeletal structure supported by flying buttresses and filled with coloured glass.
Large Windows: let in light, in contrast to the dark Romanesque …show more content…

Chartres Catherdral:
The cathedral is essentally a 13th centurary building, for such was the enthusiasm for it's rebuilding that it was nearly complete by 1220, a remarkably short time for the construction of medival cathedrals. Most of he original 12th centuary structure still exists on the west front but 300 years seperate the spires, which is immediately obvious from their irregular appearance. The south spire is the original, plain, early Gothic pyramid dating from the 1140's, but the north tower was replaced following a lightening strike in 1506 with a taller tower and spire in the late Gothic (Flamboyant Gothic) style.
Chartres was one of the first large buildings to utilise the full potential of flying buttresses. There are three levels of them along the nave. At the first level they take the form of a simple arch; the next level is connected by small columns arranged like spokes of a wheel; a third layer of arches stretch stretch from the top of the buttresses to just below the gutter of the upper

Show More
Related

  • San Diego Mormon Temple and the Chartres Cathedral in France

    1207 Words  | 3 Pages

    The original Chartres Cathedral was designed by Fulbert and lasted until 1194, when a fire destroyed almost the entire church. The townspeople pulled together to make a large contribution to the reconstruction of the cathedral (Miller, Malcolm, Chartres Cathedral, Riverside Book Company, 1980, p.5). The present Chartres Cathedral is largely the work of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. However, there are substantial remains of older monuments, notably in the crypt and on the wes...

    Read More

  • Comparison Of St. John The Baptist Cathedral, Savannah Versus Chartres

    1494 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thesis: Both St. John the Baptist Cathedral and Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres are constructed in French Gothic style which means that architecturally they have many similarities. However, the 700 year gap between their construction offers St. John the Baptist more flexibility in design and style. Still, their likeness and variations extend far beyond the realm of their design.

    Read More

  • How Did William The Conqueror Get His Patronage

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    The churches are built almost entirely of stone. Built on a symmetrical concept, they both have three portals as an entrance to the nave. Symmetrical towers rise several stories above the left and right portals. It is important for one to recognize that the stone ribbed vaulted ceilings were added on after the

    Read More

  • Comparing Durham Cathedral And The Chartres Cathedral

    400 Words  | 1 Pages

    I chose two cathedrals for my post, the Durham Cathedral and the Chartres Cathedral. The Durham Cathedral, my example of Romanesque architecture, was built from local sandstone in 1087-1133 CE (the east wing was replaced in 1242) and is currently located in Nothern England. The Gothic style structure, the Chartres Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame), was mostly constructed between 1194 and 1220 CE due to a fire causing it to be rebuilt. Assembled utilizing limestone, this colossal structure is currently located in France and is known for it’s strikingly beautiful stained-glass windows. These structures share a few similarities, like their ribbed groin vaults (the crossing segments on the ceiling of the hallways), the high-placed windows as well as their huge circular window that were added to provide light and a

    Read More

  • Comparing the Gothic Revival in England Before and After 1820

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    This carried on in to the 18th century where more and more people dabbled in the gothic style with out a full understanding of how gothic architecture worked as a structural system. They confused stages of the gothic period, which were later defined by Thomas Rickman in is writing, and also used Classical forms such as pilaster and venetian windows. Many interiors were of a classical form a layout and some times other style were thrown in. Some gothic forms were even used on the exterior of building where they didn’t perform the function they were meant to. This shows how little the architects of the 18th century studied the mediaeval and how little they understood it.

    Read More

  • Gothic Influence on Christian Cathedral Architecture

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    Imagine a Christian cathedral. The image conjured up by the phrase “cathedral” is probably a massive stone building with soaring towers and spires, intricate ornamentations covering the building, and beautiful stained glass windows. If one imagined such a building in response to being asked to imagine a cathedral, one would be accurate. Why exactly are these attributes associated with cathedrals? Well, many cathedrals such as these were built during the Gothic period in medieval Europe. The Gothic style of architecture is an easily recognizable one with its unprecedentedly tall towers and wide windows. Before the Gothic style was the Romanesque style, which is represented in the traditional castle in Europe: wide, short, with thick walls and

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Gothic Cathedrals

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    You may think today “Hey, I totally wonder sometimes what the Middle Ages Churches and Gothic Medieval Cathedrals where like. What were they important for? Were they Churches like the ones today? How long did it take to build? “ Well that may be SOME of the questions you may have but you may have more. In this essay you're about to find out why the Medieval Gothic Cathedrals were so important for, and how much rule and and wide range of power they had over the people in the Middle Ages, and last but NOT least, the creative sublime (I’ll delete this comment later on if you see this but “sublime” is my own words not internet word) of the Gothic style windows of the Cathedral. First, the one I like most, the Gothic stain glass windows of the Gothic Cathedral. Stained glass is argued to an opinion or belief, one of the most important aspects of Gothic cathedrals. As its popularity rose, mainly during the mid 12th century, the increased existence of stained glass presented large changes to the way the general residents were learning about the religion. The windows became illuminated optic (“Optic” is my own wording) talk of biblical stories, which may have had an even greater impact than the spoken word of the priest. In this research paper, I will be primarily focusing on the stained glass windows and architectural styles employed in five Gothic buildings in France, each having their own unique and worthy attention and characteristics to the development of stained glass windows. By looking at the architectural improvements shown in these structures built during the Gothic time frame, we are able to see the impact all over the place to itch for increase...

    Read More

  • The Gothic Period

    1342 Words  | 3 Pages

    All architectural styles have different characteristics. Gothic Revival Architecture has its own characteristics that make it unique to other styles. According to Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, “Gothic Revival style is part of...picturesque and romantic movement in architecture, reflecting the public’s taste for buildings inspired by medieval design.” (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/late_victorian_period/2389/high_victorian_gothic_style/294719) Gothic Revival Architecture is one of the most unique styles of architecture because it was inspired by medivial design. Another characteristic that also sets this style apart from other architectural style is decorative...

    Read More

  • The Origins Of Gothic Architecture

    1386 Words  | 3 Pages

    Several elements from Gothic architecture were borrowed from the Lombards and the Franks. They took the compound pier and archivolt, the alternate system, and the ribbed and domed vault. It can be seen that the main dispositions of the Gothic plan are derived from Carolingian developments of the early Christian basilica. The most fundamental element of Gothic architecture is the pointed arch, whi...

    Read More

  • Comparing St. Michael's Church In Germany And Chartres Cathedral In France

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gothic architecture incorporates brightly lit, welcoming interior spaces, as well as ornate decorations on the outside. Numerous cathedrals, castles and towers were constructed all across Europe using these two styles of architecture. Romanesque architecture refers to a style of building that closely resembles the construction styles and designs of the

    Read More

  • The Contrast between Gothic Architecture and Romanesque Architecture

    1929 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Romanesque and Gothic architecture period both occurred during the Middle Ages with the Gothic period taking place during the later half. Gothic and Romanesque architecture were related in many ways, but they also contrasted in style too. Over time, masons began to test the waters and push the limits. They thought of new ways to add lighting and ways to allow more height to the building without it being to heavy and weak. Many of the reasons for the change in styles had a lot to do with society and the changes it faced. There was a greater intensity occurring in piety and literature. The Gothic style embodied this new urban society. Romanesque and Gothic shared similar characteristics, but Gothic architecture was a greater departure from its previous predecessor.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Gothic Architecture: The Basilica Of Saint Denis

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gothic architecture, though also used in secular buildings, is most associated with the great cathedrals of Europe. The Basilica of Saint Denis is a large medieval abbey church on the outskirts of Paris, France. The building is of significant importance historically and architecturally because it is considered to be the first Gothic church ever built. The building of gothic cathedrals grew as design techniques progressed. Over time, as new techniques combined with new materials, cathedral architecture increased in complexity and sophistication into a recognizable gothic style.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Medieval Architecture

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    The earlier designs of medieval architecture had features like pointed arches in the nave, window and doorways, small clusters of columns, pillars, small windows and thick walls. This was during the Romanesque period and a lot of the early Romanesque architecture had influence from the byzantine period, which was the previous time period of architecture.

    Read More

  • Gothic Art: The History And Development Of Gothic Architecture

    784 Words  | 2 Pages

    Another difference separating the two were that Romanesque style buildings had limited light whereas Gothic cathedrals were flooded with natural light. The architectural reason for this was due to the walls being made primarily out of stained glass. This was now achievable with the Gothic design because of the flying buttresses that supported the walls from the outside of the building. Thus making the three most defining characteristics of the Gothic style, that differ it from Romanesque to be the ribbed vault, the flying buttress and the pointed arch.

    Read More

  • Appreciating a Gothic Cathedral: Milan Cathedral

    2027 Words  | 5 Pages

    There were two main types of architecture during the middle ages, the Romanesque style and the Gothic style. The Romanesque period took place approximately between 1096 and 1270 (the eleventh and twelfth centuries) and the Gothic period took place approximately between 1150 and 1450 (the thirteenth through the fifteenth centuries) (Bersson 383). Evidence of both styles of architecture emerged throughout Europe. The political landscape had changed and the Christian church provided a measure of unity throughout the centuries of this medieval era (Stalley 13).

    Read More

More about Romanesque Churches

Open Document