ROMANESQUE

ARCHITECTURE
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

AR. JOHN LEMUEL G. LLACUNA

ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
• HISTORICAL CONTEXT • SYMBOLISM AND PURPOSE

• ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS • EVOLUTION AND TRANSITION

• BUILDING TYPES • ARTISTIC AND DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

• NOTABLE EXAMPLES • REGIONAL VARIATIONS

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Historical Context

• Post Carolingian Period

• Feudalism and Monasticism
• Cultural and Economic Growth
• Roman Influence
• Ecclesiastical Power
• Defensive Architecture

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Historical Context: Post Carolingian Period
• The Carolingian Empire, established by Charlemagne
in the 8th century, saw a revival of interest in classical
art and architecture. However, after the decline of the
Carolingian Empire, there was a fragmentation of
political power in Europe.

• The Carolingian Empire faced fragmentation and

decline due to internal conflicts, external invasions,
and struggles over succession following the death of
Charlemagne's grandsons.

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Historical Context: Post Carolingian Period
• Charlemagne, known as the "Father of Europe,"
was a powerful ruler of the Carolingian Dynasty
during the 8th and 9th centuries.

• Charlemagne's support for Christianity and the

Carolingian Renaissance influenced the
cultural and intellectual climate that later
contributed to the development of
Romanesque architecture in the medieval
period.

• His vision for a united Europe played a role in

shaping the architectural and cultural
landscape of the time.

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Historical Context: Post Carolingian Period
• The term "Carolingian" refers to the Carolingian
Dynasty, a royal house named after its founder,
Charlemagne (Charles the Great).

• The dynasty spanned several generations, and

its name is derived from the Latin name
"Carolus," which is the equivalent of the Old
High German name "Karl" or "Charles" in
English.

• The Latinized version of the name "Charles" is

"Carolus." When referring to things related to
Charlemagne and his descendants, the term
"Carolingian" was used.

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Historical Context: Feudalism and Monasticism
• The decentralized political structure of
feudalism led to the rise of local lords and
regional centers of power.
• Monasticism, particularly the Benedictine
order, played a significant role in the
preservation of knowledge and the promotion of
education during this period.
• Economic Exchange: Lords sometimes donated
land to monasteries. In return, the monks
provided prayers and spiritual guidance. It was
a kind of economic and spiritual give-and-take.

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Historical Context: • As stability increased in various regions,
Cultural and there was a resurgence of economic and
Economic Growth cultural activity.

• Pilgrimages to religious shrines became

popular, leading to the construction of
churches along pilgrimage routes.
• This increased activity contributed to the need
for larger and more elaborate churches.

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 HISTORICAL CONTEXT: ROMAN
INFLUENCE
• THE NAME "ROMANESQUE" ITSELF SUGGESTS A CONNECTION TO ROMAN
ARCHIT ECT URE . BUIL DERS DU RING T HIS PE RIOD DR EW INS PIRAT ION
FROM ROMAN DE SIGN, INCORPORAT ING F EAT URES SUCH A S ROUN DED
ARCHES, THICK WALLS, AND THE USE OF COLUMNS AND PILASTERS

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Historical Context:
Ecclesiastical Power

• The Church played a dominant role in medieval

society, and the construction of grand churches
and cathedrals served not only as places of
worship but also as symbols of ecclesiastical
power and influence.

• The church held the keys to heaven, the influence

in politics, the wealth in land, and the monopoly
on education. It was a multifaceted powerhouse,
shaping not only spiritual beliefs but the very
fabric of medieval society.

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Historical Context: Defensive Architecture
• The political and social conditions of the time also influenced the architectural choices. Many Romanesque
churches were built with defensive features, reflecting the instability and occasional conflicts of the era.

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 ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTERISTICS

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Architectural Characteristics / Elements
• Thick Walls • Sculptural Decorations

• Round Arches • Small Windows

• Barrel Vaults and Groin Vaults • Clerestory Windows

• Piers and Columns • Apse and Apsidal Chapels

• Heavy Towers • Cloisters

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Thick Walls

Romanesque buildings typically have

thick, sturdy walls, which were
necessary to support the heavy stone
structures and provide stability.

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Thick Walls

Interior and Exterior Walls were divided

into three parts:

• Clerestory

• Triforium

• Arcades

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Thick Walls
• Arcades:
• The lowest section of the wall typically consists of arcades. Arcades are a series of
arches supported by columns or piers. These arches create a passageway or an
open gallery along the sides of the nave. The arcade level is often associated with
the ground floor of the interior space. The arches in this section provide structural
support for the upper levels and help define the architectural style of the building.

• Triforium:
• Above the arcades, there is the triforium, which is a narrow, horizontal gallery. The
triforium is often characterized by a series of smaller arches or openings,
sometimes enclosed with tracery or other decorative elements. While the triforium
is not typically a functional space, it contributes to the overall visual rhythm and
decorative richness of the interior. In some cases, the triforium may also have
served as a passage for clergy or for displaying relics.

• Clerestory:
• The highest section of the wall is the clerestory, which is a row of windows or
openings located above the triforium. The clerestory is positioned to bring in
natural light and illuminate the central nave of the church. It is an essential
element for creating a well-lit and airy interior. The term "clerestory" is derived
from the Old French word "cler," meaning clear or bright. The windows in the
clerestory are often larger than those in the triforium, allowing more light to
penetrate the space.

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Thick Walls: Function Structural Stability:

and Symbolic • One of the main reasons for thick walls was to provide structural
stability. The heavy stone structures, including vaulted ceilings,
Purposes needed robust support. Thick walls distributed the weight of the
structure evenly, preventing collapses and ensuring the overall
stability of the building.

Support for Heavy Roofs:

• Romanesque architecture often featured massive stone roofs and

vaulted ceilings. The weight of these elements required strong
walls to bear the load and prevent any structural failures.

Defensive Considerations:

• In the case of castles, fortifications, and other defensive

structures, thick walls were a practical necessity. The thickness
provided protection against attacks, making it more difficult for
invaders to breach or undermine the walls. The defensive aspect
was especially crucial during a time when security concerns were
prevalent.

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Thick Walls: Function and Symbolic Purposes
• Fire Resistance:

• Thick stone walls offered a degree of fire resistance. In an era where

many buildings were constructed with timber, the use of stone helped
mitigate the risk of fire spreading. Stone is not combustible, so it
provided a protective barrier against the destructive force of fires.

• Symbolic Significance:

• The massive and imposing nature of thick walls in Romanesque

architecture had symbolic significance. It conveyed a sense of
strength, permanence, and the enduring nature of the institutions
associated with these buildings, often religious ones. The Church
sought to express its authority and stability through the monumental
character of its structures.

• Architectural Tradition:

• The use of thick walls was, to some extent, a continuation of

architectural traditions inherited from Roman and Byzantine
precedents. Romanesque architects drew inspiration from these
classical styles and adapted them to the cultural and technological
context of medieval Europe.

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Round Arches
• Historical Precedence:
• Round arches have a historical precedent in Roman architecture.
Romanesque architects looked to the classical Roman buildings, such as
aqueducts and amphitheaters, for inspiration. The use of round arches in
Romanesque structures was a revival of these ancient architectural forms.

• Structural Simplicity:
• Round arches are structurally simpler than pointed arches. They exert
vertical pressure directly downward, distributing the weight more evenly
across supporting columns or piers. This simplicity was suitable for the
thick and sturdy walls characteristic of Romanesque buildings.

• Masonry Constraints:
• Romanesque builders often worked with large, heavy stones. Constructing
round arches with these materials was more straightforward than creating
pointed arches, which required more precision in cutting and fitting stones.

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Round Arches
• Symbolic Significance:
• The use of round arches had symbolic significance, conveying a sense of
harmony and stability. The arch, with its rounded form, was seen as a
representation of completeness and perfection, aligning with the medieval
mindset that sought to express order and symmetry in architecture.

• Liturgical Considerations:
• Romanesque architecture was closely tied to the needs of the Church. The
rounded arches contributed to the creation of a more enclosed and
intimate space within churches, enhancing the solemnity of religious
rituals and emphasizing the sacred nature of the interior.

• Transition to Gothic Architecture:

• While Romanesque architecture predominantly featured round arches, the
transition to Gothic architecture saw the emergence of pointed arches. The
pointed arches allowed for taller structures and more expansive windows,
characteristics that became prominent in the later Gothic style.

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Vaults
Romanesque buildings often feature barrel vaults (a series of arches placed one after another) and groin vaults (the
intersection of two-barrel vaults), creating a sense of solidity and strength.

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Vaults
• Barrel Vaults:
• A barrel vault is a continuous, semi-cylindrical vault or arched
ceiling that resembles a barrel or tunnel. In Romanesque
architecture, barrel vaults were commonly used to cover the nave of
churches, aisles, and other interior spaces. The rounded form of the
barrel vault helped distribute the weight of the roof and walls more
evenly, supporting the thick walls characteristic of Romanesque
structures.

• Groin Vaults:
• A groin vault is formed by the intersection of two-barrel vaults at
right angles. This creates a series of crossed arches or ribs, resulting
in a more complex and visually interesting ceiling structure. Groin
vaults were often employed in Romanesque buildings to cover the
intersections of the nave and transept, as well as in crypts and side
chapels.

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Vaults
• Structural Significance:
• Both barrel vaults and groin vaults were integral to the structural design of
Romanesque buildings. They allowed for the creation of expansive, open
interiors while providing support for the heavy stone roofs. The use of
these vaults contributed to the sense of solidity and strength associated
with Romanesque architecture.

• Decorative Possibilities:
• The surfaces of barrel and groin vaults provided opportunities for
decorative elements, such as painted frescoes, intricate carvings, and
symbolic imagery. The architectural forms themselves, with their
repetition of rounded arches and intersecting ribs, added a sense of
rhythm and order to the interior spaces.

• Evolution into Gothic Architecture:

• While barrel and groin vaults were prevalent in Romanesque architecture,
Gothic architecture, which succeeded the Romanesque style, introduced
more complex ribbed vaulting systems. Gothic architects further
developed the use of pointed arches and ribbed vaults to achieve greater
height and lightness in their structures.

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