Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
I. GEOGRAPHICAL
The decline of the Roman Empire , the Romanesque style grew up in those countries of Western Europe
which had been under the Roman rule
Geographical position determined many of the peculiarities of the style of each country
Apart from its Roman origin , the Romanesque style owed something to Byzantine art, which carried
westwards along the great trade routes, by way of such centers as Venice, Ravenna, and Mersailles, and
thus exerted a formative influence on Romanesque
II. GEOLOGICAL
The use of local materials whether stone or brick, marble or terra cotta, as well as of ready- made columns
and other features from old Roman buildings, accounts for many of the varying characteristics in each
country over this wide area, with its different geological formations
III. CLIMATIC
Climatic conditions also contributed to differences of treatment north and south of the Alps and the
Pyrenees
In duller climates of the north, window openings were enlarged to admit sufficient light
In south , windows were kept small to exclude the dazzling sunshine
The slope of the roof was also largely determined by climate
Flat roofs of the south gave way to high pitched roofs in the north to throw off rain and snow
IV. RELIGIOUS
Christianity, the chief source of education and culture, was gradually extending throughout Northern Europe
Erection of the church often resulted in the foundation of a city
Religious enthusiasm and zeal found their material expression in the magnificent cathedral churches and
monastic buildings, which were an even more characteristic outcome of this period than were the castles of
feudal chiefs
Monastic system gave an impulse to civilization, promoted new methods in agriculture, and exercised its
influence on architecture
Until the middle of the twelfth century, science, letters, arts, and culture were the monopoly of the religious
orders
Schools attached to monasteries trained youths for the service of religions
Monks and their pupils were often the designers of cathedrals
Up to the thirteenth century architecture was almost regarded as sacred science
2. Cluniac Order
4. Carthusian Order
8. Gilbertine Cannons
An exclusively English order founded in the twelfth (12th) century by S. Gilbert of Sempringham
9. Knights of Templars
Founded in the 1119 to protect the Holy Places in Palestine and to safeguard the pilgrim routes in Jerusalem
Organized in about 1113 ( the Knights of S. John of Jerusalem ) under the Augustinian rule
The Friars
Were expelled from Mt. Carmel by the Muslims in AD 1098 but only came to England in AD 1229
14. Austin Friars ( Hermits )
15. Friars of the Holy Trinity
16. The Crutched ( or Crouched ) Friars
16. Jesuits
V. SOCIAL
The introduction of the system of feudal tenure, or the holding of land on condition of military service cause
important changes in the social and political organization of the states
As civilization advanced the towns grew in importance but constant warfare rendered the condition of the
people unsettled and craftsmanship was consequently at a low ebb
Monastic system played an important part in the life of the people of all countries especially in rural districts
before the establishment of hospitals and when learning even of medicine was monopolized by the church
Freemasons by reason of privileges gradually acquired, did much to facilitate the building of churches
VII HISTORICAL
The breakup of the Roman Empire in the West in AD 475 led the rise of independent states and nations of
Europe
The election of the First Frankish King Charlemagne ( AD 799 ) as Holy Roman Emperor marks the
beginning of a new era
From the fall of the Roman empire till the time of Charlemagne few buildings had been erected but he
gathered artists and craftsmen around him, and before his death ( AD 814 ) he had great measure, restored
the arts and civilization to western Europe
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
The term Romanesque includes those phases of European architecture which were based on Roman art
from the end of the Roman empire in Ad 475 up to the end of the twelfth century, when the pointed arch
was introduced
The later Romanesque style of the tenth to the twelfth centuries was remarkable for the tentative use of the
new constructive principles
o This was the application of equilibrium to construction in strong contrast to that of inert stability as
used by the Romans
The general architectural character of the Romanesque architecture is sober and dignified while
picturesqueness depends on the grouping of towers and the projection of transepts and choir
Roman cross vaults were used throughout Europe till the beginning of the twelfth century, but they were
heavy and difficult to construct and were gradually superseded by rib and panel vaulting
Later on produced sexpartite and quadripartite vaulting
The Roman basilica had been the model for Early Christian churches, the plan of which was subject to new
development during this period
o The addition of transepts and the prolongation of the sanctuary or chancel made the church a well
defined cross plan
o Transepts were generally the same breadth as the nave, which was usually twice the width of the
aisles
Cloisters in connection with monastic churches are often very elaborately treated with twisted columns,
curved capitals and sculptured arches
Towers were either square, octagonal, or circular are the prominent features of Romanesque architecture
Roman methods of craftsmanship still influenced constructive art in Europe but technical skill in general
was at a low ebb
Walls were roughly built and were relieved externally by buttresses formed as pilaster strips and connected
at the top by bonds of horizontal mouldings or by a series of semi circular arches on corbels
Attached columns, with rough capitals supporting semi circular arches, formed wall arcading which was a
frequent decorative feature
Arcades consisted of massive circular columns or piers which supported semi circular arches
Doors and window openings are very characteristic, with jams or sides formed in series of receding
moulded planes known as orders
A rose or wheel window was often placed over the principal west door
Glass does not appear to have come in general use till the ninth century
The general employment of vaulting in the eleventh century especially over the side aisles may have been
due to the desire to fire proof the building
The form of arch employed in vaulting was semicircular but sometimes raised or stilted
Romanesque architects began to use flying buttresses under the aisle roof to counteract the trust of a
vaulted nave roof but it was left for Gothic architects to place these flying buttresses outside the aisle roof
and to weight them with pinnacles
Columns were either cylindrical or of stumpy proportions or formed as massive piers and the shafts were
treated with flutings of vertical, spiral or trellis form or sometimes carved with ornaments
Variations of Corinthian or Ionic capitals are used and in later times in the form of a cushioned ( cubiform )
shape with a twisted shaft known as escallop
Other columns shafts used were
a. Flutted b. Zigzag c. Chevron d. Wreath
Mouldings are elaborately carved
The base of the column is generally an adaptation of the old Attic form
Ornaments were either entered vegetable or animal form and were treated conventionally
Carvings and sculpture were often rough
For interiors frescoes were more usual than mosaic
Stained glass was as yet little used
ITALIAN ROMANESQUE
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
A. CENTRAL ITALY
The basilican type of church was closely adhered during this period
Naves were divided from the aisles by antique columns
Italians were slow to adopt a new system of construction and preferred to concentrate on beauty and
delicacy of ornamental detail
Architectural character was much governed by classic tradition
The most pronounced features of the faades were the ornamental arcades
Battlemented parapets primarily designed for defense was used as purely decorative feature
Used marble facing for walls
Churches are covered with timber roofs ornamented with bright coloring
Campanili or bell towers which seem to have originated in the sixth century, for carrying the bells which
summoned the Christian to prayer now became an integral part of the church group
Arcades were universal, doors and windows are small and unimportant
Mouldings were roughly imitations of old classic mouldings
B. NORTH ITALY
1. PISA CATHEDRAL
One of the finest under Romanesque period and has a strong marked individuality
It resembles other early basilican churches in plan: with long rows of columns connected by arches, double
aisles, and nave which has the usual timber roof
The exterior has bands of red and white marble
The ground storey is faced with wall arcading
The entrance faade is thrown into relief by tiers of open arcades which rise one above the other right unto
the gable end
The transept with an apse at each end were an advance on the simple basilican plan
The elliptical dome over the crossing or the intersection of nave and transepts
Concentrates on delicacy of its ornamental feature rather than on any new structural development
2. PISA CAMPANILLE
It is a circular tower
16.00 m in diameter rising in eight storeys of encircling arcades
The upper part of the tower now overhangs its base more than 4.20 meters and it has a very unstable
appearance
The belfry was not added until 1350
3. PISA BAPTISTERY
4. S. ANTONINO, PIACENZA
5. S. AMBROGIO, MILAN
6. S. MICHELE, PAVIA
Is a notable instance of a treatment which is in advance on the divisions marked only by piers
The church is cruciform in plan with well defined transepts and a raised choir under which is a vaulted crypt
The side aisles which are two storeys in height are also vaulted in square compartments
The flat faade shows little play of light and shade with its three simple recessed portals and four vertical
pilaster strips from ground to gable, almost akin to buttress
The wide spreading gable stretches across nave ad aisles and is emphasized by a characteristic raking
arcaded gallery
7. S. ZENO, MAGIORRE
Romanesque architecture in France dates from the eight to the twelfth century
The character differs in the North and south
A. SOUTHERN FRANCE
Churches were usually cruciform in plan and frequently had naves covered with barrel vaults
Buttresses are internal and form the division between chapels which flank the nave
Cloisters are treated with utmost decoration/ elaboration and form a special feature in the plan of many
churches
Circular churches are rare, but the development of the semi circular east end as an ambulatory with
radiating chapels is very common
Remarkable for richly decorated church faade and graceful cloisters
Adaptation of old Roman architectural features is remarkable
Aisleless naves covered with domes on pendentives are common in Acquitaine and Anjou
Nave wall arcades of aisleless church are semi circular with mouldings in recesses and orders
Cloister arcades are elaborated with coupled columns
Doorways have recessed jambs
Narrow windows with semi circular heads and wide splays inwards suffice to admit light
Roofs needed to be low in pitch
Piers were derived from the Roman square pier with attached columns
B. NORTHERN FRANCE
1. CAHORS CATHEDRAL
In Aquitaine is an aisleless church crowned by two domes on pendentives
Somewhat resembles S. Irene, Constantinople
2. S. FRONT, PERIGUEX
Near Arles has probably the most elaborate sculptured faade in Provence
With three porches connected by colonnades perhaps suggesting the faade of S. Mark, Venice
5. S. MADELEINE, VEZELAY
In Burgundy, has a most remarkable narthex with nave and aisles crowned
It is believed to have the earliest pointed cross vault in Europe
6. ABBEY OF BERNAY
Known as S. Etienne
Also known as the Mens abbey
One of the many fine churches in Normandy of this period which were the product of the prosperity and
power of the Norman dukes
It was commenced by William the Conqueror
It is a vaulted basilican type which was developed into the complete Gothic in the thirteenth century
It may have been modeled on the Romanesque cathedral of Speyer
Its original eastern apse is superseded in 1166 by the characteristic chevet
It has nine spires, a remarkable instance of the use of spires as architectural features
9. ABBEY OF S. DENIS
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
EXAMPLES
1. AIX-la-CHAPELLE CATHEDRAL
Built by the Emperor Charlemagne as his royal tomb house
Resembles S. Vitale, Ravenna
The entrance is flanked by staircase turrets, leads into a polygon of sixteen sides, 32.00 meters in diameter
The building is of great interest as the prototype of other similar churches in Germany
Coronation place of the Holy Roman Emperors
2. MONASTERY OF S. GALLEN
In modern Switzerland
A typical Benedictine monastery of the period
Design by Eginhart Charlemagnes royal architect
A double apse church with cloisters, abbot lodging, school, refectory, dormitory, guest house, dispensary,
infirmaries, granaries, bake house, orchard and cemetery
4. WORMS CATHEDRAL
5. GENRODE ABBEY
6. LUBECK CATHEDRAL
A Benedictine church
Built chiefly of local lava and the exterior is a fine grouping of six towers, double transepts and east and
west apse
The plan differs from other churches because on either side of the western apse which is used as tomb
house, are entrances from the cloistered atrium
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Magnificent military architecture resulted from the necessity of security both against internal revolt and
external threat
Most Romanesque structures in Holy land were military buildings, castles and fortifications
Hospice buildings in Palestine usually included a fortified church
Castles of the Crusaders were of three kinds, each having a specific function, which depended on
geographical situation
a. Pilgrim forts
Sited and designed to secure the routes from coastal ports to Jerusalem, principally by way of Joppa ( Tel
Aviv ) and Ascalon
They were generally designed on a Byzantine pattern derived from the Ancient Roman castrum or legionary
fort
Installation include a thin curtain wall with rectangular corner towers of small projection, a large fosse or
ditch, and an outer earth rampart
These forts were of no very great strength, and relied upon relatively plentiful man power
b. Coastal fortification
EXAMPLES
A pilgrimage center of importance, is similar to many respects to the church of S. Sernin, Toulouse
Was unequalled in magnificence and maturity in Spain in its time
The tomb of S. James, son of Zebedee, was recognized in 1813
The plan is cruciform, aisled , with galleries which run continuously around the building
The only church in Spain with ambulatory and radiating chapels
The high vault is a barrel with transverse arches and the aisle vaults are groined
The galleries are covered with a half barrel opposing the high vault
The interior survives largely unaltered, except for the loss of the twelfth century coro at the east end of the
nave
Externally , the east end is largely concealed and the only original faade is that of the south transept
4. S. Maria de Naranco
6. S. Maria, Ripoll
7. La Lugareja, Arevalo
8. S. Tirso, Sahagun
9. S. Martin de Formista
The only complete example of the Spanish pilgrimage style, with a four bay nave, shallow transept, and
three parallel apse
In Lebanon
Is the best surviving example of a coastal Crusader castle
Separated from its\dependent township by a sea dyke crossed only by a later causeway
Capable of independent defense after the town had been invested
Still posses substantial remains of a two storey keep, imposing land gate with decoratively carved box
machicolations, large storage and domestic building within the ward
11. Giblet
13. Saone
Described by T. E. Lawrence as the best preserved and wholly most admirable castle in the world
Is the eastern most of a chain of five castles sited so as to secure the Homs Gap
The plan is completely concentric, having two lines of defense, the inner ramparts lying close to the outer
and continuously dominating them
TERMINOLOGIES
1. Diaconicon the vestry or sacristy in the early Christian churches
2. Prothesis the part of the church where credence table stands
3. Hospice house of shelter for travelers
4. Mudejar a Spanish Christian architecture in purely Moslem style
5. Mozarabic a style evolved by Christians under Moorish influence in Spain from late 9th to 11th century
A. BRITISH ISLES
Domestic building was probably largely dependent upon the use of timber
The masonry of church building from about the middle of the seventh century show signs of dependence on
timber prototypes
o Long and short work in quoins
o Pilaster strips derived from liesenen
o Triangular headed openings
o Blind arcading
o Turned balusters
o Midwall shafts
Central and western axial towers were occasionally terminated in a form of short hipped spire springing from
each apex of the four gables on the tower faces
2. Norman Period
Churches have very long naves due to influence coming from Cluny as at Norwich ( 14 bays ), S. Albans
( 13 bays ) and Winchester ( 12 bays )
Chancels of cathedrals and abbey churches are also very long
Double eastern transept plan as at Canterbury
Features imported form Normandy are the typical Benedictine plan having three apses as at Durham and
Peterborough
One apse transept survived at Norwich, two at Gloucester and four in the eastern apses at Canterbury
The multiplicity of apsidal chapels in monastic churches was necessitated by the growing demand for
facilities for the individual offices of a Benedictine community
Both secular and monastery churches have central lantern tower over the crossing as S. Alban and Norwich
The earliest Anglo Norman groin vaults are those over irregular crypt spaces ant Winchester and Gloucester
The earliest great church designed initially and entirely with a rib vaulting system was Durham Cathedral
Nearly every large Norman church has a later Gothic high vault except at Peterborough and Ely cathedral
which have retained trussed wooden ceiling
Mouldings generally are enriched by conventional carving with increased vigor through late 11th and 12th
centuries
Doors and windows have jambs in square recesses or orders enclosing nook shafts
Side porches are common and are often the usually mode of entrance, the western portals only being
opened for major festivals
Blind arcading is used as a major decorative feature
Windows are small and internal jambs are deeply splayed
Piers are short and massive and either cylindrical or polygonal
Compound piers with rectangular recesses containing shafts as at Peterborough and Durham were often
used alternately with cylindrical piers
Shape of the pier was influenced by the vaulting shafts which they supported
Capitals are usually cubiform, or cushion type sometimes carved and scalloped the tympana over many
doorways as at Ely are sculptured with effective though rough representation of scriptural subject
B. SCANDINAVIA
Romanesque architecture did not appear in Scandinavia until British and Continental European influence
upon church building became effective toward the middle of the 17th century
The smaller 12th century churches are frequently based upon two cell plan similar to those of both Celtic and
Gallic origin in England
Twelfth century cathedral churches have more mature Romanesque character
The wooden stave churches of Norway represent a type that was once common across Northern Europe,
but elsewhere have been destroyed or replaced
Denmark has seven rotunda churches, which have a circular nave, divided internally and have projecting
chancel and apse as at Nylars
Chancels and apse are constructed as small intersecting circles as at Osterlars church
Bulky west towers with stepped gables are typical of Denmark
In Denmark, the west tower may extend across the whole width of the church forming a westwerk as at Aa
church
Small stone churches in Norway and Sweden have a short wide nave, square chancel, an apse and a
western tower with pyramidal shingled spire as at Hove church
Large central towers occur in Norway as at Old Aker Church
Free standing bell towers are found, often with half timbered upper section
Openings are generally small and simple
Many doors have carved tympanum as at Vestervig Church
Most churches have timber roofed naves, but ribbed vaulting over smaller spaces such as the chancel is
common
Arcades may be of simple rectangular piers as at Ribe, Denmark
Fully developed Romanesque arcades of three stages occur in churches built under English or german
influence as at Nidaros Cathedral
Large churches may have paired towers at the western end as at Mariakirken, Bergen
EXAMPLES
A. BRITISH ISLES
a. York h. Hereford
b. Litchfield i. London
c. Wells j. Llandaff
d. Exeter k. Bangor
e. Salisbury l. S. David
f. Chichester m. S. Asaph
g. Lincoln
a. Ripon h. Chelmsford
b. Southwell i. Southwark
c. New Castles j. S. Albans
d. Wakefield k. S. Edmonds
e. Manchester l. Coventry
f. Birmingham m. Liverpool
g. Truro n. Guilford
B. SCANDINAVIA
Now in Sweden
Is probably the earliest example of the timber stave churches
Of the simplest type, it is nearly basilican in plan form, having two cells with outer palisade walls constructed
of halved and splined logs
2. Holtalen Church
3. Borgund Church
4. Lund Cathedral