ROMANESQUE

ARCHITECTURE

+ R o m a n e s q u e A r c h i t e c t u r e

GEOGRAPHICAL INFUENCE

Romanesque Architecture is the combination of Roman and Byzantine Architecture basically roman in style. They grew in the countries under the roman rule.

The most common material used for construction were stone, brick marble or terra cotta, as well as ready-made columns and features from the old Roman buildings.

INFLUENCING FACTORS

GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE

Southern Portion:a. Small windows to minimize sun

shading. d. Flat roof

CLIMACTIC INFLUENCE

Northern Portion -- Dull climate contributed to the use of:

a. Large windows to admit light.b. high pitch roof to throw off rain and

snow

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE

Christianity resulted into erection of a church. Papacy had great power and influence.

Establishment of “Feudal System”, Landlord built “castle” to separate them and protect them from the peasants. This castle was made with man-made canals.

The style emerging in Western Europe based on Roman and Byzantine elements last until the Advent of Gothic Architecture in the Mid-12th Century.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE

HISTORICAL INFLUENCE

ARCHITECTURALCHARACTER

SOBER & DIGNIF IEDOpposite of Roman character

CHARACTERISTICFEATURES

Developed in Italy, France, Germany and England

Uses “Rib & Panel Vaulting”

Two Types of Vaulting:Quadripartite (four-part vaulting)

Sexpartite (six- part vaulting) (both were supported by “tiers”)

Use of corbelled Arches found underneath the eaves of a church.

Use of Massive, Architectured wall structures, Round Arches & Powerful Vaults.

In churches they used Latin Cross Plan

Use of Rose window or Wheel window.

EXAMPLE OF BUILDINGS

1. Churches- for every church there is a

“Monastery” at the side.

2. Monastic church situated in a court open to

public.

3. Cloister Court

4. Inner Court

5. Common Court

DIFFERENT SHAPES OF CROSS

Crux immissa or Latin cross 

Cross of Lorraine The papal cross or ferula is the

pastoral staff used by the Pope.

Stepped Cross A cross resting on a base with three steps, also called a

graded or a Calvary cross.

ARCHITECTURALEXAMPLES

CENTRAL ITALY

PISA CATHEDRAL

I. With Baptistery, Campanile & Campo Santo

II. One of the Finest Romanesque Cathedral

III. Design by Architect Dioti Alvi

CAMPANILLE, PISA

I. Circular TowerII. Worlds famous

“Leaning Tower”III.8 storeys of

encircling archades

BAPTISTERIES, PISA

I. Circular in plan

CAMPO SANTO, PISAI. Cemetery

FRENCH ROMANESQUE9 T H T O 1 2 T H C E N T U R Y

A RC H I T E C T U RA L E X A M P L E S

NOTRE DAME du PORT• Light stone

vaults• inlaid décor

ANGOULEME CATHEDRAL

S. MADELEINE, Vezelay

THE ABBEY CHURCH

NOTRE DAME LA GRANDE, France

AIX-LA-CHAPELLE CATHEDRAL

• Built by Emperor Charlemagne as his “royal tomb-house”.

• Prototype of similar churches in Germany

• Place of coronation of the Holy Roman Emperors

GERMAN ROMANESQUE

1 0 T H T O 1 2 T H C E N T U R Y

THE CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES, COLOGNE

ORMS CATHEDRAL

• Typical German Romanesque church• Remained the seat of Bishops, Archibishops &

electors for 1,500 yrs.

ROMANESQUE TERMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

DORMER WINDOW- a window placed vertically in a sloping roof with a roof on

its own.

GROIN- the curved arris formed by intersecting

vaulting surfaces.

VAULTS- ceiling designs

HELM ROOF- a roof in which 4 faces rests diagonally between the gables and

converge at the roof.