ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

The term "Romanesque" means “like Roman”. It refers to the architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries in
medieval Europe to Roman Architecture, based on similarities of forms and materials.

Romanesque style is characterized

by:
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS:
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
• Round arches
• Dark, solemn spaces • Barrel Vaults
• Exterior is simple, severe • Piers supporting vaults
• Modest Height • Groin vaults
• Horizontal lines
• Multiple Units
EARLY CHRISTIAN
ARCHITECTURE

ROMANESQUE
B.

ARCHETYPES IN (ROMANESQUE):

Architectural styles– Owen Hopkins

Classical Early Christian Gothic Renaissance Baroque & Rococo Neo Classicism Eclecticism Modernism After Modernism
 B.

ARCHETYPES IN
(ROMANSQUE):

Architectural styles– Owen Hopkins

Classical Early Christian Gothic Renaissance Baroque & Rococo Neo Classicism Eclecticism Modernism After Modernism
Timeline:

• AD 800 – Domes become

popular and major features in
Byzantine architecture in Italy.
• Mid-9th century – The
Romanesque style emerges
from the Byzantine, built with
mainly round arches and based
on the simple plans of Roman
basilicas. They had simple
interiors and examples include
Modena Cathedral.
• For the first time since the fall of
Rome, the West was
aesthetically unified.
• The heart of the Romanesque
period (and the subsequent
Gothic period) was France.
• The Romanesque and Gothic
periods comprise the great age
ofhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline
cathedrals
_of_Italian_architecture
Historical Background

• After the decline of the Roman empire the building of large churches in western Europe known as
“Cathedrals” started in a big way with the spread of organized monasteries called “Orders” under
the rule of St.Benedict & others.

• The monks used a simplified Roman style with thick load bearing walls, stout columns, small
window openings and semi circular arches that came to be known as the “Romanesque” style.
They also revived the technique of building high vaults in masonry.

• The term Romanesque refers to the period of European architecture that was based on Roman &
Byzantine art from the departure of the romans up to the end of the 12th century when the pointed
arch came to be used.

• A monastery would normally comprise of the church, a cloister court around which were built the
dormitory, the sacristy and the chapter house. The refectory (dining) & kitchen were located on
the other side of the cloister while the cellar was below the dormitory.

• •Each country developed its own regional version of the Romanesque style as can be seen in
Pisa that is representative of Italy, the Abbey aux hommes, Caen, representing France and the
Durham Cathedral which is an example for England.
Social Characteristics &
Beliefs:
• The growth of trade & commerce led to
the rise of powerful merchant families
in Pisa, Venice and Genoa, who
developed architecture & allied fields
such as painting and sculpture to a
very high level.

• Capturing the aspirations of a new age,

Romanesque art and architecture
started a revolution in building,
architectural decoration, and visual
storytelling.

• During this period, the Popes, Bishops

& other members of the clergy gained
power and hence religious buildings
like large cathedrals & monasteries
were constructed. central Italy came to
be ruled by the Pope
https://m.theartstory.org/movement/romanesque-art/ A Romansque style painting - CHRIST PANTOCRATOR by Sant Climent de Taüll ,
1123 BC
 Architectural
characteristics:
• With the use of rounded arches, massive • Several geometric forms make up the building, rather than one shape.
walls, piers, and barrel and rib vaults, the This changes in the Gothic era to one large cross shape
Romanesque period saw a revival of
large-scale architecture that was almost
fortress-like in appearance in addition to a
new interest in expressive human forms.
With the Roman Church as the main
patron, Romanesque metalwork,
stonework, and illuminated manuscripts
spread across Europe, from the
Mediterranean to Scandinavia, creating an
international style that was adapted to
regional needs and influences.

• Romanesque art and architecture

innovatively combined Classical
influences, seen in the Roman ruins
scattered throughout the European
countryside and in Byzantine illuminated
manuscripts and mosaics, with the
decorative and more abstract styles of
 Architectural
characteristics:
• The Roman basilica, the building in which
judicial, commercial, and governmental
activities took place, became the primary
architectural model for Christian churches
in the early Middle Ages.

• Medieval Italian churches generally

imitated its basic design. Such buildings
usually contained a center nave with
colonnades along an aisle at each side
and an apse at one end: on this raised
platform sat the bishop and priests.

• Romanesque was the first style since the

end of Roman Imperial architecture (300
CE) to be built in all of Europe. Its
examples are found in every part of the
continent.
Romanesque Architecture

alternation of supports: A system of supports for an arcade or colonnade in which there

are two different types of support. The alternation may be quite obvious, between one
pier (strong support) and one column (weak support), or it may exist only in slight
differences, such as in the shafting on each pier.
Romanesque Architecture
APPLIED OR ENGAGED COLUMN: A
column which is attached to the wall
so that only half of the form projects
from the wall.
HISTORIATED OR FIGURED CAPITAL: A capital
which is decorated with figures of animals,
birds, or humans, used either alone or
combined with foliage. The figures need not
have any meaning, although they may be
symbolic or part of a narrative sequence.
Historiated capitals were most commonly used
in the Romanesque from the late eleventh to
mid-twelfth centuries.
 Romanesque Architecture

pier: An upright support, generally square, pilaster: A true pilaster is a rectangular

rectangular, or composite. In medieval element of vertical masonry which
architecture there are massive circular projects only slightly from the wall and
supports called drum piers. has both a capital and a base.
 Romanesque Architecture

composite pier A type of pier

that is composed not of a single
member but has shafts, half-
columns, or pilaster strips drum pier: A massive
attached to it. cylindrical support..
 Romanesque Architecture

confessio: A type of crypt which consists of a

hall crypt : A crypt in the form of a large series of linked passages. The most famous
space of uniform height, subdivided by confessio crypt during the Middle Ages was
columns that of Old Saint Peter's church in Rome, which
contained the tomb of Saint Peter
 Romanesque Architecture

coffer: The sunken area created between

the crossing of structural members. Coffers
crypt: An underground chamber for relics
are most often found on a flat ceiling or on
or tombs
the interior surface of a dome. They are
often the focus of decoration and serve also
to lighten the weight of the structure.
 Romanesque Architecture
ARCH: A curved structural member spanning an opening or recess. The wedge shaped elements
that make up an arch keep one another in place and transform the vertical pressure of the
structure above into lateral pressure.

ogee or ogive : An arch with a

depressed arch: A flattened arch, slightly
pointed on top. It appears in Late Gothic
of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
horseshoe arch: a curved arch
often used in Spanish medieval
architecture. Its maximum width is
greater than the distance between
its two side supports.
pointed apex, formed by the
intersection of two S curves usually
confined to decoration and not used
in arcade arches. Ogee arches were
used only in the late Gothic period.
 Romanesque Architecture

jamb figures : Statues carved on the jambs of a

intersecting arches : arches which doorway or window. Jamb statues were often
cross over each other in an arcade human figures- either religious figures or
secular or ecclesiastical leaders.
 Romanesque Architecture

Tympanum : (plural, tympana): The basically semicircular area enclosed by the arch
above the lintel of an arched entranceway. This area is often decorated with sculpture
in the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

drum: A cylindrical wall which

supports a dome.
 Romanesque Architecture

lantern a small circular or polygonal

loggia: An exterior gallery, open on structure, with windows all around the
one or more sides, with a colonnade or base, which opens above a larger tower
an arcade. or dome.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-1092):
• The entrance to Pisa Cathedral, made of light-colored local stone, has three symmetrically arranged portals, the center
portal being the largest, with four blind arcades echoing their effect. The round arches above the portal and the
arcades create a unifying effect, as do the columns that frame each entrance. Cladding the walls with horizontal bands
of colored marble, both in the exterior & the interior is also characteristic of Italian Romanesque style.
• It had pitched roofs above the nave & transepts, the conical roof above the apses and the cupola with arcading at the
base.
• The building is an example of what has been called Pisa Romanesque, as it synthesizes elements of Lombard
Romanesque, Byzantine, and Islamic architecture.
• The name of two architects, Buscheto, and Rainaldo, were inscribed in the church. Buscheto was the initial designer of
the square that, along with the Cathedral, included the famous leaning Tower of Pisa, done in the same Romanesque
style, visible here in the background, and the Baptistery. Following his death, Rainaldo expanded the cathedral in the
1100’s.

https://m.theartstory.org/movement/romanesque-art/artworks/
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-1092):
• The interior view of the nave with the apsidal end shows the pointed arch of Islamic origin and the roman semi circular
arcading. The clear storey slit windows bringing light into the nave & the coffered ceiling are typical of early Christian
churches.n The interior view of the Apse shows the mosaic of Christ on the semi dome, in Byzantine style. The altar
located in front of the apse is lit by a slit window. This detail of the interior of the dome shows the coloured mosaic of
Christ, St. Mary & St. John on either side. Other paintings that adorn the apse also can be observed. The gilded
coffered ceiling can be seen. It displays the Medici coat of arms. The treatment of the double arcading in the 1st floor
can also be observed. This inside view of entrance shows the stout columns with Corinthian capitals supporting the
arcade. The entrance door with pilaster & pediment is also seen. The treatment of the walls with alternating horizontal
bands of white and black marble is a definite Moorish influence. The geometrical patterns are also derived. The cross
vaulting above the aisles, the Moorish treatment of the arches & the arched slit windows that bring light to the ground
floor can be seen along with the paintings that adorn the walls over the entire length.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-
1092):
• The Latin cross plan with the cupola or dome Various influences such as the Moorish treatment of interior
above the intersection and the thick walls are a walls and arches, the Islamic pointed arch at the base of the
continuation of the concept of early Christian dome and the byzantine mosaics found in the apse are
churches. The semi circular arcading in the indicative of the struggle to develop a distinctive architectural
façade of the building throws shadows on the style for Christianity.
• walls giving it the requisite depth in elevations.
The tiers of arcading up to the gable end with
marble statues at the ridge & eaves is typically
Romanesque.
• Separate buildings for the church, bell tower
(campanile) , baptistery & the cemetery
(campasanto) is also a development of
Romanesque period.
• Other features such as the arched clear storey
windows, the gilded coffered ceiling, the pitched
roof above and the apsidal end are adopted
from Basilican churches. However, the upper
triforium gallery for women & the apse in the
transepts are additions of this period.
• Various decorative techniques such as Mosaics,
Sculpture in rectangular panels & the panels of
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-
1092):
• The bell tower took the form of a
cylindrical tower with arcades in all the
floors, while the baptistery was also
circular in plan with arcading all around.
• The Baptistery dedicated to St. John, the
Baptist was built during the mid 12th
century.
• It has a circular plan with a
circumference of 107.25m The architect
I Deotisalvi, but the conical top part of
the dome was completed only in the
14th century. The drum of the dome is
divided horizontally onto 2 parts by the
lintel.
• The interior has a concentric row of
columns & piers and doesn’t have any
decoration except for the horizontal rows
of colored marble cladding.
• The interior has a concentric row of
columns & piers and doesn’t have any
decoration except for the horizontal rows
of colored marble cladding.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-
1092):
• The leaning tower of Pisa (Campanile) is
the free standing bell tower of the Pisa
Cathedral.
• It is circular in plan with a diameter of
15.5m and has 8 floors that rise to a height
of 56m.
• It has been constructed in stage over a
period of 200 years starting from 1173 AD.
• Although intended to stand vertically, the
tower began to lean towards the south-east
due to poorly laid foundations & the loose
substrata.
• Presently the top of the tower leans 4.5m
away from where it is supposed to be if it
was standing vertically.
• It has 294 steps leading to the top and the
walls are about 4m thick in the GF &
decrease to 2.5m in third floor.
• The ground floor has blind arches
supported by columns having classical
capitals. It has a bell in each floor of
enormous weight.
 French Romanesque
architecture:
• France is centrally located between the
North & South of Western Europe
connecting the Mediterranean with the
Atlantic. Romanesque buildings differ in
character in the north & south of France.

• The climate varies from the cold,

temperate in the north to the sub-tropical
in southern France. Hence, the door &
window openings decrease in size in the
south. In the north, the buildings have
steep pitched roofs to through off the
snow, whereas the roof becomes almost
flat in the south.

• Romanesque architecture is characterized

by its massive quality, its thick walls,
round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults,
tall towers & decorative arcading. Regular
symmetrical plans & clearly defined forms
give it an overall appearance of simplicity. Souillac,_Abbaye_Sainte-Marie-, Lot, France
 French Romanesque
architecture:
• The walls are massive in its thickness with
small openings. They are often double
shells filled with rubble. The piers that
support arches are either square or
rectangular in plan and have a horizontal
molding at the springing of the arch.
• Towers are an important feature & in the
French Romanesque, 2 large square
towers were commonly used in abbey
churches. The extensive sculptural
scheme that adorns the entrance portal is
also a characteristic feature. Murals on the
interior of vaults and domes are also
typical of this style. The apsidal ends have
a chancel surrounded by an ambulatory.
• Columns were built of stone cylinders
called drums. The foliated Corinthian
capital was used as it was round at the
bottom where it sits on a circular column &
square at the top, where it supports the
arch. Alteration of piers of different forms http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/romanesque/french.html
 French Romanesque
architecture:
• Ribbed vaults were employed, where the
transverse & diagonal ribs are structural
members and the spaces between them
could be filled up with lighter non
structural material.
• Because the Romanesque arches are
always semicircular, the structural problem
in the ribbed vault is that the diagonal
span is always larger & therefore higher
than the transverse span.
• In France, the solution was to stilt the
transverse ribs or depress the diagonal
ribs so that the center line of the vault was
horizontal.
• Towers are an important feature & in the
French Romanesque 2 large square
towers were commonly used in abbey
churches.
• The extensive sculptural scheme that
adorns the entrance portal is also a
characteristic feature. Murals on the
interior of vaults and domes are also http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/romanesque/french.html
Abbey aux Hommes, Caen
(AD 1063):
• This cathedral is situated in the French city
of Caen, Normandy, dedicated to Saint
Stephen. It was founded in 1063 AD by
William the Conqueror and is one of the
most important Romanesque buildings in
Normandy.
• The abbey is also known as church of St.
Etienne. It stands along with the neighboring
abbey for women. The elevation has three
floors with the twin towers having octagonal
spires rising above.
• The recessed entrance arch and the blind
arcading on the towers are typical
Romanesque features.
• The abbey church is built of stone and has a
pitched roof above the nave vaulting. Built
during the 11th century the two abbeys are
considered to be the forerunners of the
Gothic style that was to follow.
• Spires over square & octagonal towers are a
characteristic feature of the French
Romanesque and when grouped with http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/image/france/france-a-to-c/caen/df080cae.jpg
Abbey aux Hommes,
Caen (AD 1063):
• An important feature added to both
churches in about 1120 was the ribbed
vault, used for the first time in France.
The two abbey churches are considered
forerunners of the Gothic.

• The original Romanesque apse was

replaced in 1166 by an early Gothic
chevet, complete with rose windows and
flying buttresses. Nine towers and spires
were added in the 13th century.

• The interior vaulting shows a similar

progression, beginning with early
sexpartite vaulting (using circular ribs) in
the nave and progressing to
quadripartite vaults (using pointed ribs)
in the sanctuary.

• The buttresses that support the towers

and the parapet wall are distinctive
features. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chevet_abbHommes.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_Saint-%C3%89tienne,_Caen
Abbey aux Hommes, Caen (AD
1063):
• The central nave has sexpartite ribbed vaulting, while the
aisles on both sides have quadripartite ribbed vaulting.
• The extension of the apse into the chevet was done later
& is typical of the French Romanesque style.
• The thrust of the nave vault was counteracted by a semi-
barrel vault over the triforium gallery which acted as a
concealed flying buttress.
• The nave vaulting compartment was equal to 2 aisle
compartments so that it was approx. a square, in order to
overcome the difference I the rise of the diagonal ribs
over the transverse ribs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chevet_abbHommes.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_Saint-%C3%89tienne,_Caen
Abbey aux Hommes,
Caen (AD 1063):
• The difference in the rise between the diagonal ribs & the transverse ribs is solved by adopting an elliptical arch for
diagonal ribs, as shown on the left & by having the transverse ribs stilted so that it is equal height to the semi-circular
diagonal rib, as shown on the right. The increase height of the nave with clear triforium storey windows that bring in the
light are indicative of the vertical expression and lighting scheme of the gothic style that was to follow

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_Saint-%C3%89tienne,_Caen
Abbey aux Hommes,
Caen (AD 1063):
• The interior elevation of the nave bays show
the string courses at the springing the arches.
The elliptical rib over the diagonals of the
compartment can be seen so that it rises to
equal height of the semi-circular arch over the
other sides.
• The crossing between the nave & transept is
roofed with an octagonal spire and the
articulation of parts of the aisle into towers
with spires can be seen.
• Imposing doorways on the west facade with
sculptured tympanum above formed the
entrance to the Abbey church. Here the holy
trinity is represented within recessed arches.
 English Romanesque
architecture:
• This style was also known as the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peterborough_Cathedral_from_the_South_East_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_13618.jpg

“Norman” style in England. Before the

10th century, most English buildings were
wood; stone buildings were small and
roughly constructed. The Norman
Romanesque style replaced the Saxon
style in England after the Norman
Conquest in 1066, and from about 1120 to
1200, builders erected monumental
Norman structures, including numerous
churches and cathedrals.

• The cold and wet English climate had its

effect on architecture with buildings having
high pitched roof to throw off rain &snow,
larger windows to admit light and deeper
entrance porticoes to keep off the cold
wind.

• Various monastic orders were established

towns grew up around abbeys and
https://www.slideserve.com/imaran/romanesque
 White tower,
London (AD
1110):
• This aerial view of the tower
of London shows the white
tower in the middle with other
buildings surrounded by the
double fortifications known as
the inner bailey & outer bailey.
It also houses the Royal
palace of Her majesty, the
Queen of England.

• Tower of London was started

by William after the Norman
conquest & was enlarged and
modified by subsequent
English monarchs. It served
as fortress, royal residence &
prison to protect the city of
London.
 White tower,
London (AD
1110):
• The white tower, known as the
Royal keep is rectangular in
plan with a corridor running all
around the building with 2
square towers and a circular
one at the corners housing
spiral staircases.

• Both halls have 2 rows of

circular column supporting
vaults with trusses supporting
pitched roofs on top. The
windows are emphasized by
the use of a light colored
stone with key stone & sill
projections.

• The pointed arches of the

Byward tower are a product of
 White tower,
London (AD 1110):
• The semi-circular projection in the
south-east corner to accommodate
St John's Chapel is almost
unparalleled in castle architecture.

• The semi-circular arches & circular

columns in the interior of this chapel
are typical of the Norman period.

• St John's Chapel was not part of the

White Tower's original design, as
the apsidal projection was built after
the basement walls.

• The inner fort wall with

battlemented parapets and small
openings for defense purposes.
There is a lawn area in between the
outer & inner fort walls.
Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• DARK, SOLEMN SPACES:

• The solution was thicker walls and piers,

rather than columns alone, to support the
interior spaces. This made the space inside
dark, rather gloomy, and kept the height rather
low. The exteriors were very simple, and
several geometric forms often made up the
building, rather than one large space.

• Romanesque churches and castles were

dark, with few openings. Wars and invasions
were commonplace, so windows and doors
were kept to a minimum.
• The new concept of stone vaulting required
stronger walls for support. Because of the lack
of knowledge of the building statics, it was
necessary to build strong, thick walls with
narrow openings.
Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• EXTERIOR IS SIMPLE, SEVERE:

• Romanesque churches were heavily

influenced by the Roman Basilica, but they
had a few important differences. The roof was
made of stone vaults, which were much
heavier an needed more supports.

• A combination of masonry, arches and piers

are the basis of the Romanesque style. The
main concept for buildings was the addition of
pure geometrical forms.

• With stone and masonry buildings, buildings

were safe from fire and invaders, but required
large supports for the weight of walls and
vaults.
 Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• MODEST HEIGHT,
HORIZONTAL
LINES:

• Romanesque
churches have an
emphasis on
horizontal lines,
similar to those of
Greek & Roman
public buildings.
Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• MULTIPLE UNITS:

• Several geometric
forms make up the
building, rather than
one shape. This
changes in the
Gothic era to one
large cross shape.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• ROUND ARCHES:

• Round arches are similar to those in

Roman architecture.
• The piers between the arches give
make it more unique.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• BARREL VAULTS:

• Also called Tunnel Vaults, Barrel Vaults

replace the flat roofs commonly, used in
Roman architecture. This is the simplest
vault, created by combining a series of
round or Roman arches.

• The Barrel vault creates a higher ceiling,

but needs large supports under it, so
columns are combined with piers.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• PIERS SUPPORTING VAULTS:

• The Pier (an upright support generally

square or rectangular in plan) is a better
solution for heavy masonry walls than
the column.
• Piers interspaced with columns support
a Barrel Vault. Columns on the pier are
decorative, more than main supports.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• GROIN VAULTS:

• The diagonal intersections are called

groins. The advantage of the groin vault
is that its weight and thrusts are
concentrated at the four corners.
• A Groin, or Cross vault is a combination
of two barrel vaults at intersecting
angles. It provided a more aesthetically
pleasing appearance for intersecting
vaults.