ROMANESQUE- GOTHIC – GREEK- BAROQUE-ARCHITECTURE

1. Gothic architecture had pointed arches in roof while Romanesque architecture had round arches.

2. Gothic architecture had large windows and lot of stained glass while In Romanesque architecture the windows were
small and less stained. And hence, the Gothic structures have bright light inside and are airy while the Romanesque
structures are darker inside.

Gothic architecture Romanesque Architecture

3. Gothic Architecture has groin vaulted cathedrals while Romanesque has mostly barrel vaults and some groin vaults.
A groin vault is formed by two barrel vaults intersecting at right angles. The result is four curving surfaces that draw the
eye up and toward the center. The areas where the barrel vaults come together create ribs that add both strength and visual
appeal.
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a
single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance. The curves are typically
circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design.

Groin Vault Barrel Vault

4. Gothic Architecture has flying buttresses and few structure supports. Romanesque architecture has large pillars inside
of the building.
 flying buttress Large pillars in Romanesque

5. In Gothic architecture they have gargoyles (a gargoyle is a carved or formed grotesque with a spout designed to convey
water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls
and eroding the mortar between.) while in Romanesque very less decoration is on the exteriors.

Gargoyles Romanesque Architecture

6. The Romanesque structures came with heavy frames. On the other hand, the Gothic structures had a slender skeleton.

Romanesque Architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterized by semi-circular arches. This
style eventually developed into the Gothic style in the 12th century, characterized by pointed arches. Examples of
Romanesque architecture can be found across Europe, making it the first Pan-European Architectural style
since Imperial Roman Architecture.
Combining features of Western Roman and Byzantine buildings, Romanesque Architecture is known by its massive
quality, its thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading. Each building has
clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of
simplicity when compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow. The style can be identified right across Europe,
despite regional characteristics and different materials. The Romanesque style in England is traditionally referred to
as Norman architecture.
Many castles were built during this period, but they are greatly outnumbered by churches. The most significant are the
great abbey churches, many of which are still standing, more or less complete and frequently in use. The enormous
quantity of churches built in the Romanesque period was succeeded by the still busier period of Gothic architecture, which
partly or entirely rebuilt most Romanesque churches in prosperous areas like England. The largest groups of Romanesque
survivors are in areas that were less prosperous in subsequent periods, including parts of Southern France and Northern
Spain. Survivals of unfortified Romanesque secular houses and palaces are far rarer, but these used and adapted the
features found in church buildings, on a domestic scale.
Gothic Architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved
from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance Architecture.
Originating in 12th century France and lasting into the 16th century, its characteristic features include the pointed arch,
the ribbed vault and the flying buttress.
Gothic architecture is most familiar as the Architecture of many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and churches of Europe.
It is also the Architecture of many castles, palaces, town halls, guild halls, universities and to a less prominent extent,
private dwellings.
A series of Gothic revivals began in mid-18th century England, spread through 19th-century Europe and continued,
largely for ecclesiastical and university structures, into the 20th century.
Baroque Architecture, emerged in the 1600’s with a new emphasis placed on bold massing, colonnades, domes, light-
and-shade (chiaroscuro), ‘painterly’ color effects, and the bold play of volume and void. In interiors, Baroque movement
around and through a void informed monumental staircases that had no parallel in previous architecture. The other
Baroque innovation in worldly interiors was the state apartment, a processional sequence of increasingly rich interiors that
culminated in a presence chamber or throne room or a state bedroom. The sequence of monumental stairs followed by a
state apartment was copied in smaller scale everywhere in aristocratic dwellings of any pretensions.
Baroque architecture was taken up with enthusiasm in central Germany. In England, the culmination of Baroque
architecture was embodied in work by Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, from ca.
1660 to ca. 1725. Many examples of Baroque architecture and town planning are found in other European towns, and in
Latin America. Town planning of this period featured radiating avenues intersecting in squares, which took cues
from Baroque garden plans. In Sicily, Baroque developed new shapes and themes as in
Noto, Ragusa and Acireale “Basilica di San Sebastiano”.

Another example of Baroque architecture is the Cathedral of Morelia Michoacan in Mexico. Built in the 17th century by
Vincenzo Barrochio, it is one of the many Baroque cathedrals in Mexico.

Francis Ching described Baroque architecture as “a style of Architecture originating in Italy in the early 17th century and
variously prevalent in Europe and the New World for a century and a half, characterized by free and sculptural use of the
classical orders and ornament, dynamic opposition and interpenetration of spaces, and the dramatic combined effects of
architecture, sculpture, painting, and the decorative arts.

Gothic vs Romanesque Architecture

Gothic and Romanesque architecture are different architectural styles with certain similarities and many differences.

The Romanesque architecture style was prevalent during the 9th and the 12th centuries. The Byzantine and the Roman
styles have influenced the Romanesque architecture. The name “Romanesque” was carved out in the 1800s as it came
with the barrel vault feature which had a resemblance to the classical Roman arch.

The Gothic architecture is traced to the mid-12th century. Gothic architecture was mainly intended to make the churches
look like heaven. The Gothic architecture made the churches bright, colorful, and soaring.
The Romanesque architecture had the characteristics of large, internal spaces, barrel vaults, thick walls, and rounded
arches on windows and doors. Gothic architecture has many features like highness, flying buttresses, and vertical lines.
One of the main differences between the two architectures is in the use of the buttress which was common in Gothic
buildings.
When comparing the buildings of the two periods, the buildings of the Romanesque period were solid and heavy with
thick walls. As the Gothic buildings had thick walls, it was difficult to make huge and numerous windows. The
Romanesque buildings only had small windows and, as such, the rooms were dimly lit. The Romanesque structures came
with heavy frames. On the other hand, the Gothic structures had a slender skeleton. The Gothic buildings had big
windows with stained glass that allowed more light into the rooms.
Another difference that can be seen is that the Gothic structures were very tall and pointed towards the sky. The
Romanesque buildings had blunt towers. Unlike the Romanesque buildings, the Gothic buildings had ornate, round
windows named “rose windows.”
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Summary:

1.The Romanesque architecture was prevalent during the 9th and the 12th centuries. The Byzantine and Roman styles
have influenced the Romanesque architecture.
2.The Gothic architecture is traced to the mid-12th century. Gothic architecture was mainly intended to make the churches
look like heaven.
3.The Romanesque architecture had the characteristic of large internal spaces, barrel vaults, thick walls, and rounded
arches on windows and doors. Gothic architecture has many features like highness, flying buttresses, and vertical lines.
4.The Romanesque structures came with heavy frames. On the other hand, the Gothic structures had a slender skeleton.
5.The Gothic buildings had big windows with stained glass that allowed more light into the rooms. The Romanesque
buildings only had small windows and, as such, the rooms were dimly lit.
Ancient Greece
Architecture

History >> Ancient Greece

The Ancient Greeks had a unique style of architecture that is still copied today in government buildings and major
monuments throughout the world. Greek architecture is known for tall columns, intricate detail, symmetry, harmony, and
balance. The Greeks built all sorts of buildings. The main examples of Greek architecture that survive today are the large
temples that they built to their gods.

Greek Columns

The Greeks built most of their temples and government buildings in three types of styles :Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
These styles (also called "orders") were reflected in the type of columns they used. Most all of the columns had grooves
down the sides called fluting. This gave the columns a feeling of depth and balance.

 Doric - Doric columns were the most simple and the thickest of the Greek styles. They had no decoration at the
base and a simple capital at the top. Doric columns tapered so they were wider on the bottom than at the top.
 Ionic - Ionic columns were thinner than the Doric and had a base at the bottom. The capital at the top was
decorated with scrolls on each side.
 Corinthian - The most decorative of the three orders was the Corinthian. The capital was decorated with scrolls
and the leaves of the acanthus plant. The Corinthian order became popular in the later era of Greece and also was
heavily copied by the Romans.

Greek Orders by Pearson Scott Foremen

Temples

Greek temples were grand buildings with a fairly simple design. The outside was surrounded by a row of columns. Above
the columns was a decorative panel of sculpture called the frieze. Above the frieze was a triangle shaped area with more
sculptures called the pediment. Inside the temple was an inner chamber that housed the statue of the god or goddess of the
temple.

The Parthenon
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The most famous temple of Ancient Greece is the Parthenon located on the Acropolis in the city of Athens. It was built for
the goddess Athena. The Parthenon was built in the Doric style of architecture. It had 46 outer columns each 6 feet in
diameter and 34 feet tall. The inner chamber contained a large gold and ivory statue of Athena.

Other Buildings
Besides temples, the Greeks built numerous other types of public buildings and structures. They built large theaters that
could hold over 10,000 people. The theaters were usually built into the side of a hill and were designed with acoustics that
allowed even the back rows to hear the actors. They also built covered walkways called "stoas" where merchants would
sell goods and people held public meetings. Other public buildings included the gymnasium, court house, council
building, and sports stadium.

Architectural Elements

 Column - The column is the most prominent element in Ancient Greek architecture. Columns supported the roof,
but also gave buildings a feeling of order, strength, and balance.
 Capital - The capital was a design at the top of the column. Some were plain (like the Doric) and some were fancy
(like the Corinthian).
 Frieze - The frieze was a decorative panel above the columns that contained relief sculptures. The sculptures often
told a story or recorded an important event.
 Pediment - The pediment was a triangle located at each end of the building between the frieze and the roof. It also
contained decorative sculptures.
 Cella - The inner chamber in a temple was called the cella or the naos.
 Propylaea - A processional gateway. The most famous one is at the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens.

Interesting Facts About the Architecture of Ancient Greece

 The "tholos" was a small circular temple built by the Greeks.

 Major construction projects were managed by an architect who directed the workers and craftsmen.
 Many of the Greek temples and sculptures were painted with bright colors.
 Roofs generally were constructed with a small slope and covered with ceramic terracotta tiles.
 Most temples were built on a base that included two or three steps. This raised the temple above the surrounding
land.