Romanesque architecture

ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE
1000 – 1200 B.C.

• Romanesque = “Roman- like”
• An Architectural style of Medieval
Europe.
• Characterised by semi circular
arches evolving into Gothic style,
characterised by pointed arches
beginning in 12th century.
• Romansque Arch. Is known for
its massive quality, its thick wall,
round arches, sturdy piers, groin
vaults, larger tower, decorative
arcading.

CHERACTERISTICS
WALLS:-
• Massive thickness with few and
small openings.
• Double shells filled with rubble.
• Building material depends on local
stone and building tradition.
• Italy,Poland,Germany,Netherland
used brick and others used limestone,
granite and flint.

PIERS:-
• Piers used to support arches.
• Built of Masonary and square or
rectangular in section generally
having a horizontal molding
representing a capital at the
springing of arch.
• Sometimes piers have vertical
shafts attached to them also
horizontal mouldigs at the level
of base.

• Piers occuring at intersection two large
arches such as under the crossing of
the nave and transept are commonly
cruciform in shape. Each arch having
to own supporting rectangular pier at
right angles to the other.

COLUMNS:-
• Important structural feature of Romansque
Architectural.
• Monolithic columns were frequently used
in Italy.
• Arcades of column cut from single pieces
are also common in structure that do not
bear massive weight of masonry.
SALVAGED COLUMN:-
• In Italy, a great number of antique Roman
columns were salvaged and reused in the
interior and on the porticos of churches.

CAPITALS:-
• Capitals of Romansque were inspired
from corinthian style.
• The accuracy with which they were
carved dependent very much on availibility
of original models,those in italian churches
such as Pisa cathedral.
• These are round at bottom and sits on
circular column and square at top.

ARCHES AND OPENINGS
• Arches in romansque are semicircular.
• In some cases like pointed arches are
used which is said to be imitation of
islamic architecture.
• Doorways are also surmounted by
semicircular arch.

VAULTS AND ROOFS:-
• Majority have wooden roofs, generally a simple truss, tie beam or king
post form.
• Vaults of brick and stone took several different form and showed mark
development.

BUTTRESSES:-
• Because of massive nature of romansque
walls , buttresses are not a significant
feature.
• They are of flat square profile and do not
project a great deal beyond the wall.
TOWERS:-
• Towers are important feature of
romansque architecture.
• Variety of form- square, circular and
octagon were used.

ITLY
MONREALE CATHEDREL, SICILY
• One of the greatest example
of Norman architecture.
• The archiepiscopal and
monastic building on south
side were of great magnificence
and surrounded by massive
walls, crowned at intervals
by 12 towers.

• At the west there are two projecting towers, with a narthex between
them.
• In the centrel apse , behind the high alter there is a fine marble
throne for archbishop.

PISAN CATHEDREL SQUARE
• Best example of pisan romansque style.
• Completed in 12th century with the 5 rows
of columns and 3 bronze doors.
• The sides and trancepts are embellished
with a decorative strip and lozenges.
• Inside the cathedrel is the tomb of emperor
henry 7th.
• The mozaic of interior show a strong
byzentine influence, while pointed arches
point to muslim inflence.

THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA:-
• The structure is a cylindrical tower, with closed
arches in the lower part , then six floor with
loggias and small bell compartment
• Inside a spiral staircase unwinds with 294
steps towards the top.
CEMETRY:-
• The outline is marked off by a rectangular
marble wall begin in 1277.
• Later destroyed by american bombing.

BAPISTRY
• A circular building in romansque style
with eight faced pyramidal dome.
• It has 4 entrences, the most notable of
which is the one in front of the cathedrel
with it’s sculptor from the pisan school.

SPAIN
SALMANCA CATHEDREL
• Constructed between 16th and 18th century
in two styles – gothic and baroque.
• Its main entrance consists of three arches ,
each leading to three naves of church.
• All three richly carved.

FRANCE
ABBEY CHURCH OF-SAINT ETIENNE
• The nave elevation has three separate
levels becoming traditional norman pattern
but also introduced three major innovation.
• The width of gallaries opening into-the
nave with a single arch.
• The alteration of groups of two bays with
heavy column and two with light,the first
intended to support diaphragm arches and
fire break walls,and third is ambulatory
gallery.

• The very structure of nave with its large
open spaces and alternation of columns,
constitutes an arrangement which lead to
ribbed vaults,
• The facade employes a large square mass
with the ranks of opening, which is supported
by four solid buttresses, and the two towers,
whose refined progression of arches and
opening lightens the mass as it soars upwards.
• This church is the first example of harmonious
norman facade, whose formula was passed
on to the great cathedrads of followings century.

ABBEY CHURCH, CLUNY
• Now destroyed this church was the longest in france.
• It was the mother church of benedictine order and influenced many
burgandian churches.
• It was Founded in 910 by king William I,Duke of Aquitaine.

• It was on grand scale with
five aisles and
seven towers.
• Today no more than five
transepts survive.
• Largest nave was covered
with a barrel vault with
double pointed
arches and naves with law
vault edges.
• The apse was ambulatory
with side aisle seperated
from the choir by finely
sculptured column.

ST. FRONT, PERIGUEUX
• One of the best of the domed periord
churches having five domes, one at the
crossing and one on each arm of cross.
• This follows a byzantine fine domed plan.
• The plain interior is agood demonstration
of how poor byzantine church would have
wiothout mosaics.

BRITAIN
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
• Built year : 1070-1134
• length : 160m
• Width : 47m
• Nave length : 54m
• Nave width : 22m
• Nave hight : 24m
• Choir length : 55m
• Choir hight : 22m
• Number of tower: 5
• Tower hight :71m

• Founded in 597, the cathedral was
completely rebuit from 1070 to 1077.
Because it was destroyed by fire in 1067.
• This was the first Norman church in
England.
• Cathedral is in part built of Caen stone.
• The carved capitals follow the attractively
unpompous style of provence and perigord.
• Name comes from the name of city
cantebury.

• The choir was rebuilt with an early example of the early english gothic
design, including high pointed arches, flying buttresses and rib vaulting.

DURHAM CATHEDREL, BRITAIN
• Built year : 1093 – 1133
• Length : 143m
• Nave Width : 25m
• Nave hight : 22m
• Chair hight : 23m
• Number of tower : 3
• Tower hight : 66m (central tower)
44m (Western tower)

• Name Durham comes from the name of
city Durham.
• Notable for the ribbed vault of the nave
roof,with pointed transverse arches,
supported on relatively slender composite
piers.
• Alternated with massive drum column
and flying buttresses.
• It was the skilled use of pointed arches
and ribbed vault, which made it possible
to cover complicated ground plans.

• Buttresses made it possible
to build taller buildings and to
open-up the intervening wall
spaces to create large windows.
• The central tower of 66m giving
views of durham and the
surrounding areas.

Romanesque architecture

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Romanesque architecture