ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IN EUROPE
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IN EUROPE
( FROM THE NINTH CENTURY )
I. GEOGRAPHICAL
·
The
decline of the Roman Empire , the Romanesque style grew up in those countries
of Western Europe which had been under the Roman rule
·
Geographical
position determined many of the peculiarities of the style of each country
·
Apart
from its Roman origin , the Romanesque style owed something to Byzantine art,
which carried westwards along the great trade routes, by way of such centers as
Venice, Ravenna, and Mersailles, and thus exerted a formative influence on Romanesque
II. GEOLOGICAL
·
The
use of local materials whether stone or brick, marble or terra cotta, as well
as of ready- made columns and other features from old Roman buildings, accounts
for many of the varying characteristics in each country over this wide area,
with its different geological formations
III. CLIMATIC
·
Climatic
conditions also contributed to differences of treatment north and south of the
Alps and the Pyrenees
·
In
duller climates of the north, window openings were enlarged to admit sufficient
light
·
In
south , windows were kept small to exclude the dazzling sunshine
·
The
slope of the roof was also largely determined by climate
·
Flat
roofs of the south gave way to high pitched roofs in the north to throw off rain
and snow
IV. RELIGIOUS
·
Christianity,
the chief source of education and culture, was gradually extending throughout
Northern Europe
·
Erection
of the church often resulted in the foundation of a city
·
Religious
enthusiasm and zeal found their material expression in the magnificent
cathedral churches and monastic buildings, which were an even more
characteristic outcome of this period than were the castles of feudal chiefs
·
Monastic
system gave an impulse to civilization, promoted new methods in agriculture,
and exercised its influence on architecture
·
Until
the middle of the twelfth century, science, letters, arts, and culture were the
monopoly of the religious orders
·
Schools
attached to monasteries trained youths for the service of religions
·
Monks
and their pupils were often the designers of cathedrals
·
Up
to the thirteenth century architecture was almost regarded as sacred science
The chief Monastic Orders were as
follows:
1.
Benedictine Order ( Black Monks )
·
Founded
during the sixth century at Montecassino in South Italy by S. Benedict of
Nursia who decreed that all architecture, painting and all branches of art were
to be taught
·
All
monasteries in England including those of Canterbury and Westminster belong to
this order
2.
Cluniac Order
·
Founded
by Abbot Odo in 910 at Cluny, Burgundy
·
Plan
had double transepts, a feature adopted in many English cathedrals
3.
Cistercian Order ( White Monks )
·
Founded
in 1098 at Citeaux by S. Stephen Harding and at Clairvaux by S. Bernard
·
After
1134 all Cistercian churches were
dedicated to the virgin and had no separate Lady chapel
·
The
typical church was divided transversely into three parts by screens, walls, or
steps, and there were often no aisles
·
Transepts
and eastern arm of the cross were short
so that the choir extended westward of the transept
·
There
was an absence of towers and painted glass
4.
Carthusian Order
·
Founded
by S. Bruno at the Grande Chartreuse near Grenable in 1086
·
Carthusian
architecture is notably severe and
unadorned
·
Two
churches were provided, one for the monks and the other for the people
·
The
typical feature was the great rectangular cloister surrounded by an arcade on
to which opened the monks cells which were self contained and had their own
gardens
5.
Secular Canons, serving principally cathedrals and collegiate churches
The Orders of the Cannons Regular
6..
Augustinian Cannons ( Black Cannons Regular )
·
Established
in about 1050
·
Undertook
both monastic and pastoral duties in houses often sited in towns
·
Differed
a little bit from the Benedictine and was introduced into England in AD 1185
7.
Premonstratensian Cannons ( White Cannons Regular )
·
Founded
around 1100 by S. Norbert at Pre’montre in Picardy
8.
Gilbertine Cannons
·
An
exclusively English order founded in the twelfth (12th) century by
S. Gilbert of Sempringham
The Military Orders
9.
Knights of Templars
·
Founded
in the 1119 to protect the Holy Places in Palestine and to safeguard the
pilgrim routes in Jerusalem
10.
Knights of Hospitallers
·
Organized
in about 1113 ( the Knights of S. John of Jerusalem ) under the Augustinian
rule
The Friars
11.
Dominicans ( Preaching or Black Friars )
·
Founded
by S. Dominic about 1170 and came to England about AD 1217
·
Fra
Angelico was the best known member of this order which held high place in
Christian art
12.
Franciscans ( Mendicant or Grey Friars )
·
Founded
by S. Francis of Assisi in AD 1209 and came to England in AD 1224
·
Roger
Bacon was one of the most distinguished members of this order, which was noted
for intellectual attainments
13.
Carmelites ( White Friars )
·
Were
expelled from Mt. Carmel by the Muslims in AD 1098 but only came to England in
AD 1229
·
14.
Austin Friars ( Hermits )
15.
Friars of the Holy Trinity
16.
The Crutched ( or Crouched ) Friars
16.
Jesuits
V. SOCIAL
·
The
introduction of the system of feudal tenure, or the holding of land on
condition of military service cause important changes in the social and
political organization of the states
·
As
civilization advanced the towns grew in importance but constant warfare
rendered the condition of the
people unsettled and
craftsmanship was consequently at a low ebb
·
Monastic
system played an important part in the life of the people of all countries
especially in rural districts before the establishment of hospitals and when
learning even of medicine was monopolized by the church
·
Freemasons
by reason of privileges gradually acquired, did much to facilitate the building
of churches
VII HISTORICAL
·
The
breakup of the Roman Empire in the West
in AD 475 led the rise of independent states and nations of Europe
·
The
election of the First Frankish King Charlemagne ( AD 799 ) as Holy Roman
Emperor marks the beginning of a new era
·
From
the fall of the Roman empire till the time of Charlemagne few buildings had
been erected but he gathered artists and craftsmen around him, and before his
death ( AD 814 ) he had great measure, restored the arts and civilization to
western Europe
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
·
The
term Romanesque includes those phases of
European architecture which were based on Roman art from the end of the
Roman empire in Ad 475 up to the end of the twelfth century, when the pointed
arch was introduced
·
The
later Romanesque style of the tenth to the twelfth centuries was remarkable for
the tentative use of the new constructive principles
o This was the application of equilibrium
to construction in strong contrast to that of inert stability as used by the
Romans
·
The
general architectural character of the Romanesque architecture is sober and
dignified while picturesqueness depends on the grouping of towers and the
projection of transepts and choir
·
Roman
cross vaults were used throughout Europe till the beginning of the twelfth
century, but they were heavy and difficult to construct and were gradually
superseded by “rib and panel” vaulting
·
Later
on produced sexpartite and quadripartite vaulting
·
The
Roman basilica had been the model for Early Christian churches, the plan of
which was subject to new development during this period
o The addition of transepts and the
prolongation of the sanctuary or chancel made the church a well defined cross
plan
o Transepts were generally the same
breadth as the nave, which was usually twice the width of the aisles
·
Cloisters
in connection with monastic churches are often very elaborately treated with
twisted columns, curved capitals and sculptured arches
·
Towers
were either square, octagonal, or circular are the prominent features of Romanesque
architecture
·
Roman
methods of craftsmanship still influenced constructive art in Europe but
technical skill in general was at a low ebb
·
Walls
were roughly built and were relieved externally by buttresses formed as
pilaster strips and connected at the top
by bonds of horizontal mouldings or by a series of semi circular arches on
corbels
·
Attached
columns, with rough capitals supporting
semi circular arches, formed wall arcading which was a frequent decorative
feature
·
Arcades
consisted of massive circular columns or piers which supported semi circular
arches
·
Doors
and window openings are very characteristic, with jams or sides formed in
series of receding moulded planes known as orders
·
A
rose or wheel window was often placed over the principal west door
·
Glass
does not appear to have come in general use till the ninth century
·
The
general employment of vaulting in the eleventh century especially over the side
aisles may have been due to the desire to fire proof the building
·
The
form of arch employed in vaulting was semicircular but sometimes raised or
stilted
·
Romanesque
architects began to use flying buttresses under the aisle roof to counteract
the trust of a vaulted nave roof but it was left for Gothic architects to place
these flying buttresses outside the aisle roof and to weight them with
pinnacles
·
Columns
were either cylindrical or of stumpy proportions or formed as massive piers and
the shafts were treated with flutings of vertical, spiral or trellis form or
sometimes carved with ornaments
·
Variations
of Corinthian or Ionic capitals are used and in later times in the form of a
cushioned ( cubiform ) shape with a twisted shaft known as “ escallop “
·
Other
columns shafts used were
a.
Flutted b. Zigzag c. Chevron d. Wreath
·
Mouldings
are elaborately carved
·
The
base of the column is generally an adaptation of the old Attic form
·
Ornaments
were either entered vegetable or animal form and were treated conventionally
·
Carvings
and sculpture were often rough
·
For
interiors frescoes were more usual than mosaic
·
Stained
glass was as yet little used
ITALIAN ROMANESQUE
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER
A. CENTRAL ITALY
·
The
basilican type of church was closely adhered during this period
·
Naves
were divided from the aisles by antique columns
·
Italians
were slow to adopt a new system of construction and preferred to concentrate on
beauty and delicacy of ornamental detail
·
Architectural
character was much governed by classic tradition
·
The
most pronounced features of the façades were the “ornamental arcades”
·
Battlemented
parapets primarily designed for defense was used as purely decorative feature
·
Used
marble facing for walls
·
Churches
are covered with timber roofs ornamented with bright coloring
·
Campanili
or bell towers which seem to have originated in the sixth century, for carrying
the bells which summoned the Christian to prayer now became an integral part of
the church group
·
Arcades
were universal, doors and windows are small and unimportant
·
Mouldings
were roughly imitations of old classic mouldings
B. NORTH ITALY
·
The
most important development took place in Lombardy
·
The
principal innovation was the development of the ribbed vault which brought
about the adoption of many new constructive features
·
Churches
are basilican type, but the naves as well as sides aisles are vaulted and have
external roofs
·
Aisles
are often two storeys in height while thick walls between the side chapels act
as buttress to resist the pressure of the vault
·
The
flat severe entrance façades stretch across the whole church thus masking
externally the division of nave and aisles
·
There
is often central “projecting porch” with columns standing on the backs of
crouching lions
·
Rose
window light the nave area
·
The
gable is outlined with raking arcades which had originated in gthe eaves arcades
round the apses
·
The
general character became less refined owing to the increased use of stones and
bricks instead of marbles
·
Ornaments
shows a departure from Classic precedents and portrays with an element of the
grotesque
·
The
Comacine masters, a privileged guild of architects and sculptors originating in
Como, carried out church building and characteristic decorations during the
eleventh century not only in the North but also in other parts of Italy
C. SOUTH ITALY AND SICILY
·
Architectural
character is greatly influenced by Byzantine, Moslem and Norman rule
·
Byzantine
influence is evident in the mosaic decoration and predominates the plans of
many buildings
·
Moslem
influence is especially seen in the application of coloured marbles and in the use
of stilted pointed arches
·
Norman
character is displayed in the planning and construction of cathedrals which are
cruciform in plan and decorated with mosaics and has nave arcade of stilted
pointed arches
·
Low
lanterns at crossing of the nave and transept are marked features
·
Lateral
walls are occasionally decorated with flat pilaster strips connected
horizontally by small arches springing from the corbels
·
Domes
rather than vault s were adopted
·
Timber
roofs are the rule in Sicily under the Islamic influence and have stalactite
ceilings, rich in design and colour
·
Mouldings
are specially characterized by grace of contour and intricacy of carving
·
Elaborately
modeled bronze doors are characteristic externally
·
Coloured
mosaic add to the beauty of the interiors
·
Colour
in spreading masses of geometrical design was the predominant note of internal
decoration
EXAMPLES OF
ROMANESQUE BUILDINGS
1. PISA CATHEDRAL
·
One
of the finest under Romanesque period and has a strong marked individuality
·
It
resembles other early basilican churches in plan: with long rows of columns
connected by arches, double aisles, and nave which has the usual timber roof
·
The
exterior has bands of red and white marble
·
The
ground storey is faced with wall arcading
·
The
entrance façade is thrown into relief by tiers of open arcades which rise one
above the other right unto the gable end
·
The
transept with an apse at each end were an advance on the simple basilican plan
·
The
elliptical dome over the crossing or the intersection of nave and transepts
·
Concentrates
on delicacy of its ornamental feature rather than on any new structural
development
2.
PISA CAMPANILLE
·
It
is a circular tower
·
16.00
m in diameter rising in eight storeys of encircling arcades
·
The
upper part of the tower now overhangs its base more than 4.20 meters and it has
a very unstable appearance
·
The
belfry was not added until 1350
3.
PISA BAPTISTERY
·
Was
designed by Dioti Salvi
·
On
a circular plan with central space or nave 18.30 m in diameter
·
Separated
by tower piers and eight columns from the surrounding two storeyed aisle which
makes the building nearly 39.30 meters in diameter
·
Externally
it is surrounded on the lower storey by half columns, connected by semi
circular arches under one of which is the door
·
The
structure is crowned by hemispherical roof, through which penetrates a
truncated cone capped by a small dome covering the central space
·
If
there were a lower internal cupola, it would resemble the constructive scheme
of S. Paul’s, London
·
This
baptistery bears remarkable similarity to the Church of S. Donato at Zara,
Dalmatia
4. S.
ANTONINO, PIACENZA
·
Rebuilt
on the site of an earlier cathedral
·
Noted
for its later Gothic church , Il Paradiso
5. S.
AMBROGIO, MILAN
·
Founded
by the great S. Ambrose in the fourth century
·
partly rebuilt with dome and vault in the
twelfth century
·
Here
S. Augustine was baptized, emperor Theodosius was excommunicated and Lombard
kings and Germanic emperors were crowned
·
The
plan includes the only existing atrium among Lombard churches, a narthex
flanked by towers, vaulted nave and aisles with an octagon over the crossing,
triforium gallery, raised choir over the crypt and an apse
·
The
interior is severely plain and impressive
6. S.
MICHELE, PAVIA
·
Is
a notable instance of a treatment which is in
advance on the divisions marked only by piers
·
The
church is cruciform in plan with well defined transepts and a raised choir
under which is a vaulted crypt
·
The
side aisles which are two storeys in height are also vaulted in square
compartments
·
The
flat façade shows little play of light and shade with its three simple recessed
portals and four vertical pilaster strips from ground to gable, almost akin to
buttress
·
The
wide spreading gable stretches across nave ad aisles and is emphasized by a
characteristic raking arcaded gallery
7. S.
ZENO, MAGIORRE
·
Has
a simple façade which is stern in simplicity
·
The
fine projecting porch has two free standing columns which rest on the backs of
the crouching beast and support a semi circular vault
·
Above
is the great wheel window which lights the nave and is one of the earliest in
Italy
·
The
interior has arcade of compound piers with uncarved capitals and the nave shaft
is carried up as if to support the vault
·
Has
no triforium but with clerestory
·
The
choir 2.10 meters above the nave has a high pointed fourteenth century vault
and an apse and beneath is the crypt, in seven aisles, with the shrine of S.
Zeno
·
The
campanile is detached as usual in Italy has no buttresses is made of alternate
courses of marble and bricks
·
The
sturdy tower formerly belonged to a residence of the German Emperors and is
finished with Ghibelline battlements
8.
ASTI BAPTISTERY and PHARMA BAPTISTERY
·
Are
octagonal and modeled on that of Constantine, Rome
·
Represent
a period in Christianity when baptismal rite was carried out only three times a
year – Easter, Pentecost and Epiphany
9. HOUSE OF RIENZI, ROME
·
Sometimes
known as the “Casa di Crescencio” is an instance of the degraded civic
architecture of the period
·
Said
to be the only private house in Rome older than the fifteenth century
10.
MONREALE CATHEDRAL
·
Stands
on the heights southwest of Palermo
·
Is
the most splendid of all monuments erected under Norman rule in Sicily
·
The
plan is a combination of an Early Christian basilican church in its western
part and quasi Byzantine in its eastern part
·
The
nave columns have capitals of Byzantine form with dosseret block encrusted with
mosaic to support pointed arches
·
Walls
are covered with mosaics in gold and colour representing scenes from biblical
history with a figure of Christ in the apse
·
The
interior is solemn and grand, an effect produced by the severity of the design,
enhanced by the coloured decoration
·
The
low, oblong central lantern and the antique bronze doors add to the beauty and
distinction o this famous church
·
The
cloisters, the only remaining portion of the Benedictine monastery are the
finest of the style
11.
CAPELLA PALATINA, PALERMO
·
The
chapel in the Royal palace
·
Served
as the model for Monreal cathedral
12.
LA ZISA, PALERMO
·
Is
a three storeyed Norman castle with battlemented parapet
·
Shows
the influence of Saracenic art
·
The
vestibule is rich in marble columns and coloured tiles
·
Stalactite
vaults over the alcoves recall the glories o the Alhambra, Granada
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER
·
Romanesque
architecture in France dates from the eight to the twelfth century
·
The
character differs in the North and south
A. SOUTHERN FRANCE
·
Churches
were usually cruciform in plan and frequently had naves covered with barrel
vaults
·
Buttresses
are internal and form the division between chapels which flank the nave
·
Cloisters
are treated with utmost decoration/ elaboration and form a special feature in
the plan of many churches
·
Circular
churches are rare, but the development of the semi circular east end as an
ambulatory with radiating chapels is very common
·
Remarkable
for richly decorated church façade and graceful cloisters
·
Adaptation
of old Roman architectural features is remarkable
·
Aisleless
naves covered with domes on pendentives are common in Acquitaine and Anjou
·
Nave
wall arcades of aisleless church are semi circular with mouldings in recesses
and orders
·
Cloister
arcades are elaborated with coupled columns
·
Doorways
have recessed jambs
·
Narrow
windows with semi circular heads and wide splays inwards suffice to admit light
·
Roofs
needed to be low in pitch
·
Piers
were derived from the Roman square pier with attached columns
B. NORTHERN FRANCE
·
Plans
are basilican with nave and aisles
·
Square
compartments tom produce high nave vault is a common practice
·
Roman
influence is lesser in significance due to few surviving Roman remains
·
Western
façade of churches, especially in Normandy are distinguished by the
introduction of two flanking towers
·
Plain
massive side walls with flat buttresses
emphasizes the richness of the façade
·
Naves
are covered with ribbed vault which are often sexpartite and in square
compartments
·
Nave
arcades are spanned by semi circular arches which are repeated in deep triforia
·
Imposing
western doorways with sculptured tympana are great trademarks
·
Windows
with semi circular heads are sometimes group together and enclosed in a larger
arch
·
The
most important development in stone vaulting technique took place with the
introduction of the ribbed and panel vaulting
·
Vaults
were usually covered with wooden roof, finished with slates and steep pitch to
throw of s now and water
·
Massive
walls of rubble faced with square stones
·
Sculptured
and moulded ornament is concentrated on wall arcades
·
Buttresses
were wide strips of slight projection or half round shafts
·
Towers
were generally square with pyramidal or conical roof
·
Mouldings
executed in stone are courser than those marble in Italy
EXAMPLES
1.
CAHORS CATHEDRAL
·
In
Aquitaine is an aisleless church crowned by two domes on pendentives
·
Somewhat
resembles S. Irene, Constantinople
2. S.
FRONT, PERIGUEX
·
In
Aquitaine is Greek cross in plan
·
Closely
resembles S. Mark, Venice
·
Is
covered with five spheroidal domes, elongated towards the top, indicating an
Eastern influence due to the trade with Byzantium
·
The
only existing Greek cross church plan with cupolas in France
·
Was
the prototype of other churches with cupola
3.
CHURCH OF S. GILLES-du- GARD
·
Near
Arles has probably the most elaborate sculptured façade in Provence
·
With
three porches connected by colonnades perhaps suggesting the façade of S. Mark,
Venice
4.
ABBEY CHURCH, CLUNY
·
Formed
part of the most famous monastic establishment in Burgundy
·
It
is the longest Romanesque church in France
·
136.00
meters with nave and choir, each with double aisles, double transept and a
chevet of five apsidal termination
·
Its
pointed arches are the one of the earliest in Europe
5. S.
MADELEINE, VEZELAY
·
In
Burgundy, has a most remarkable narthex with nave and aisles crowned
·
It
is believed to have the earliest pointed cross vault in Europe
6.
ABBEY OF BERNAY
·
Was
probably the first important Norman church
·
It
has a nave of seven bays of which five are still intact, divided into arcade,
triforium and clearstory
7. ABBAYE
– aux – HOMMES, CAEN
·
Known
as S. Etienne
·
Also
known as the Men’s abbey
·
One
of the many fine churches in Normandy of this period which were the product of
the prosperity and power of the Norman dukes
·
It
was commenced by William the Conqueror
·
It
is a vaulted basilican type which was developed into the complete Gothic in the
thirteenth century
·
It
may have been modeled on the Romanesque
cathedral of Speyer
·
Its
original eastern apse is superseded in 1166 by the characteristic chevet
·
It
has nine spires, a remarkable instance of the use of spires as architectural
features
8.
ABBAYE –aux – DAMES ( ‘LA TRINITE’), CAEN
·
Also
known as the women’s abbey
·
Founded
by Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror
·
Has
fine western façade with two towers in arcaded stages
9.
ABBEY OF S. DENIS
·
Was
built by Abbe’ Suger
·
Is
one of the few buildings of this style in Ile de France
·
It
is the burial place of the French kings
·
It
is the first building to adapt Gothic features
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IN CENTRAL EUROPE
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER
·
Dates
back from the eighth to the thirteenth century
·
The
style owing to historical influence bears striking similarity to that of
Lombardy
·
It
is a combination of Carolingian tradition and Lombard influence
·
Church
plans are peculiar for having both western and eastern apses
o Eastern apses may have been used
for the abbot and the monks
o Western apse for the bishop and
the laity
o Western apse may be the survival
of the detached baptistery which had been usual in earlier churches
·
The
general character is picturesque by
reason of numerous circular and octagonal turrets, polygonal domes, and arcaded
galleries under the eaves
·
Cloisters
often have small columns supporting arches in groups of three
·
Doorways
are frequently in the side aisles instead of the west front or transept
·
Windows
are often single but occasionally grouped and sometimes have mid wall shafts
·
Shafts
and capitals in doorways were frequently elaborately carved with figures of men
birds and animals
·
General
absence of mouldings in the nave arcade
·
Carvings
in bands are employed
·
Lines
of coloured bricks were use externally in North Germany
·
Choir
at western end, often accommodated in western apse
·
Three
apse plan in trefoil in 11th and 12th century
EXAMPLES
1.
AIX-la-CHAPELLE CATHEDRAL
·
Built
by the Emperor Charlemagne as his royal tomb house
·
Resembles
S. Vitale, Ravenna
·
The
entrance is flanked by staircase turrets, leads into a polygon of sixteen
sides, 32.00 meters in diameter
·
The
building is of great interest as the prototype of other similar churches in
Germany
·
Coronation
place of the Holy Roman Emperors
2.
MONASTERY OF S. GALLEN
·
In
modern Switzerland
·
A
typical Benedictine monastery of the period
·
Design
by “Eginhart” – Charlemagne’s royal architect
·
A
double apse church with cloisters, abbot lodging, school, refectory, dormitory,
guest house, dispensary, infirmaries, granaries, bake house, orchard and
cemetery
3.
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES, COLOGNE
·
One
of the series of trefoil churches in Cologne
·
Plan
forms a broad nave, aisles half its width, western transepts, and a triapsal
choir
·
A
low octagonal tower gives dignity to the effective external grouping
·
The
entrance is by a northern porch and there is no great portal as in France
·
The
west end being occupied by a tower, flanked by stair turrets, crowned by a
typical Rhenish roof
4.
WORMS CATHEDRAL
·
Apsidal
at both ends
·
With
eastern and western octagons while one vaulting bay of the nave corresponds
with the two of the aisles
·
Twin
circular towers containing stairs flanked the eastern and western apses
·
The
crossing of the nave and transepts is covered with a low octagonal tower
crowned by a pointed roof
·
Entrance
are in the aisles, a positioned favored in Germany and England
5.
GENRODE ABBEY
·
Probably
the earliest Romanesque church with apse at both ends
6.
LUBECK CATHEDRAL
·
An
example of brick architecture in North Germany
·
Gothic
choir and aisles were added in 1335 thus converting it into a “hall church”
7.
Maria Laach, Abbey
·
A
Benedictine church
·
Built
chiefly of local lava and the exterior is a fine grouping of six towers, double
transepts and east and west apse
·
The plan differs from other churches because
on either side of the western apse which is used as tomb house, are entrances
from the cloistered atrium
ROMANSEQUE ARCHITECTUREIN SPAIN, PORUGAL AND HOLY
LAND
( 9TH to 13 th Century )
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
A. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
·
Early
Spanish Romanesque is greatly influence by Visigothic and Moorish art
o The use of horseshoe arch
o The use of decorative devices
such as cable mouldings, and sone Syrian motifs ( rosettes, circumscribed stars
)
o Churches built for Christian
communities under Moslem control were principally upon mosque tradition
o Church plan includes both
basilican and Greek cross forms
o Chapels attached to the eastern
arm of the church as “prosthesis” or diaconicon
·
Early
Spanish Romanesque churches have naves and aisles were covered with continuous
barrel vault
·
Most
monastic buildings have square bell
towers
·
French
ideas were introduce in 1050 which led to the rise of Franco – Spanish
Romanesque
·
The
first appearance of mature and seemly vaulted Romanesque Spanish church
architecture appeared in Leon after the middle of the 11th century
o Church general form was aisled
o Barrel vaulted nave
o Barrel or groined aisle vaults
o No clear story or a very low one
·
Twelfth
century churches in Castile and Leon include several examples without aisles,
but with a central cupola supported upon squinches or upon pendentives
·
In
general matured Romanesque architecture in Spain and Portugal is characterized
by the ff:
-
Both
cathedrals and large abbey churches were product of many accretions of
different periods, particularly flanking chapels in later styles
-
Most
churches are built of stone. In areas where brick is used, the bricks are
similar to Roman bricks
-
Exterior
of brick churches are decorated with tiers of shallow blind arcading and square
topped niches
-
Small
churches abound across the area, usually having an aisles nave and projecting
apse and a bell turret on one gable
-
Larger
c churches often have a wide turret extending across the upper façade with a
gallery of openings holding bells
-
Larger
monastic churches often have short transept and three eastern apses, the larger
off the nave and a smaller flanking apse off each transept
-
Lateral
arcaded porches are a distinctive regional characteristic of small chapels
-
Larger
churches sometimes have a similar narthex at the west as at S. Maria, Ripoll
-
Portal
are typically deep set, round topped and with many mouldings as at La Seu Vella,
Lleida
-
Portals
that are set with in porches may be surrounded by rich figurative carvings as
at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
-
Free
standing towers with increasing openings in each stage like those of Italy
occur with small churches
-
Small
churches are sometimes barrel vaulted and are roofed with stone slabs lying
directly on the vault
-
Wider
spaces have timber roofs of low profile, as timber was scarce
-
Larger
churches of such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, have barrel
vaults, sometimes with transverse arches marking the bays
-
Abbey
churches of later French foundation have ribbed vaults
-
Larger
monastic churches and cathedrals have nave and aisles and follow French plans,
including chevets as at Avila
-
The
crossing of a large church sometimes has an octagonal tower or dome supported
on squinches as at S. Maria Ripoll and the Cathedral of S. Maria d’ Urgell
-
Externally,
many large churches are fortresslike such as Lisbon Cathedral and the Old
Cathedral of Coimbra in Portugal
-
Rose
window with pierced tracery similar to those that occur in Pre-Romanesque
churches of Oviedo are a feature in some facade
-
B. HOLY LAND
·
Magnificent
military architecture resulted from the necessity of security both against
internal revolt and external threat
·
Most
Romanesque structures in Holy land were military buildings, castles and
fortifications
·
Hospice
buildings in Palestine usually included a fortified church
·
Castles
of the Crusaders were of three kinds, each having a specific function, which
depended on geographical situation
a.
Pilgrim forts
·
Sited
and designed to secure the routes from coastal ports to Jerusalem, principally
by way of Joppa ( Tel Aviv ) and Ascalon
·
They
were generally designed on a Byzantine pattern derived from the Ancient Roman castrum
or legionary fort
·
Installation
include a thin curtain wall with rectangular corner towers of small projection,
a large fosse or ditch, and an outer earth rampart
·
These
forts were of no very great strength, and relied upon relatively plentiful man
power
b.
Coastal fortification
·
Were
fortified to secure the sea links with the West
·
They
took the form either of a bastide town – a civil settlement under the
protection of a castle ( which had contact directly with the countryside as at
Giblet ), or with only the sea, as at Sidon, which could be isolated by a cut
sea dyke) – or of coastal castle with no dependent township like Chastel
Pelerin
c.
Strategic Inland Castle
·
The
principal function of these great castles were :
1.
to protect the coast road as in case of Margat, above Baniyas in Syria
2.
to safeguard mountain passes ,as Safita and the Krak of the Knights, which
commanded the Homs Gap
3.
to secure the river valley routes as in the case of Beaufort
4.
to provide visual command of the approach routes across the eastern frontier,
as in Subeibe, on the slopes of Mt. Hermon
EXAMPLES
1.
Old Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
·
A
pilgrimage center of importance, is similar to many respects to the church of
S. Sernin, Toulouse
·
Was
unequalled in magnificence and maturity in Spain in its time
·
The
tomb of S. James, son of Zebedee, was recognized in 1813
·
The
plan is cruciform, aisled , with galleries which run continuously around the
building
·
The
only church in Spain with ambulatory and radiating chapels
·
The
high vault is a barrel with transverse arches and the aisle vaults are groined
·
The
galleries are covered with a half barrel
opposing the high vault
·
The
interior survives largely unaltered, except for the loss of the twelfth century
coro at the east end of the nave
·
Externally
, the east end is largely concealed and the only original façade is that of the
south transept
2. S.
Juan de Baños de Cerrato
·
Is
the royal finest surviving Visigothic church
·
Planned
in three aisled basilica with a four bay nave
·
Originally
with a transept with eastern chapels at the outer ends
·
The
nave arcade has horseshoe arches springing from varied Corinthian columns
·
Arched
window openings are small with horseshoe heads
3. S.
Julian de los Prados ( Santullano ) , near Oviedo
·
Is
among the best preserved of the early Asturian churches
·
Somewhat
restored not long before the Spanish civil war
·
Has
a typical basilican form with a wide transverse bay forming a kind of transept,
outer lateral chapels, a square sanctuary with flanking chapels
·
Only
the eastern chapels are vaulted
·
Timber
ceilings elsewhere include some original decorated beams
4. S.
Maria de Naranco
·
Was
built by Ramiro I next to his palace
near Oviedo
·
Ably
represents the structural advances in church architecture of the Visigothic
kingdom of Asturia
·
Has
a long rectangular nave with open tribunes at both ends, over a crypt
·
The
building is likely to have been intended principally to provide for sacred
royal ceremonial
·
No
clear indication of its having had any kind of sanctuary
5.
S.Miguel de Escalada, near Leon
·
Is
the finest and the largest of the Mozarabic churches
·
Founded
by Cordoban refugees and relies upon some of the craft tradition of the mosque
of Cordoba
·
Basilican
plan with a nave of five bays, and fine horseshoe arcades on antique columns
·
The
three eastern apses are of horseshoe form in plan, with lobbed domical vaults
·
The
high timber ceiling is later in date and decorated in Mudejar manner
6. S.
Maria, Ripoll
·
Is
the finest of the eleventh century Early Romanesque churches
·
Has
a double aisled basilican nave of seven bays
·
Outer
arcades alternate to produce double bays in the outer aisles in Lombardic
manner
·
The
bold transept is modeled on the basilican church bema and there are seven eastern
apses
7. La
Lugareja, Ar’evalo
·
Is
the finest example of Mudejar work in brick
·
A
Cistercian church
·
Has
many Lombardic devices
·
Has
a bold central tower enclosing a lantern cupola on pendentives
8. S.
Tirso, Sahagun
·
One
of the earliest brick Mudejar churches
·
Has
much of the eleventh century character of Catalan Romanesque
·
Moorish
influence includes the horseshoe headed blind arcading to the apses, set in
rectangular panels
9. S.
Martin de Formista
·
The
only complete example of the Spanish pilgrimage style, with a four bay nave,
shallow transept, and three parallel apse
10.
Chateau de Mer, Sidon
·
In
Lebanon
·
Is
the best surviving example of a coastal Crusader castle
·
Separated
from its\dependent township by a sea dyke crossed only by a later causeway
·
Capable
of independent defense after the town had been invested
·
Still
posses substantial remains of a two storey keep, imposing land gate with
decoratively carved box machicolations, large storage and domestic building
within the ward
11. Giblet
·
On
the site of the Phoenician port of Byblos
·
Extensively
refortified during the twelfth century
·
Ancient
defenses were rebuilt as a new curtain wall with square towers and a
substantial two storey keep
12.
Chastel Pélérin ( Pilgrims’ Castle ), Atlit
·
Was
built by the Templars with the help of
the Teutonic knights and of the many pilgrims to whom it derives its name
·
Castle
now in ruins, but plan is clearly discernable
·
Stands
upon a peninsula commanding the approach to one of the principal passes between
the coast and the Palestinian interior
13.
Saone
·
At
the north end of the Gebel Alawi
·
Was
built on a site previously fortified by the Greeks\in Byzantine fashion
·
With
a thin outer curtain wall punctuated with shallow rectangular towers, and a
keep commanding the most vulnerable part of the curtain
14.
Krak of the Knights
·
Described
by T. E. Lawrence as the best preserved and wholly most admirable castle in the
world
·
Is
the eastern most of a chain of five castles sited so as to secure the Homs Gap
·
The
plan is completely concentric, having two lines of defense, the inner ramparts
lying close to the outer and continuously dominating them
TERMINOLOGIES
1.
Diaconicon – the vestry or sacristy in the early Christian churches
2.
Prothesis – the part of the church where credence table stands
3.
Hospice – house of shelter for travelers
4.
Mudejar – a Spanish Christian architecture in purely Moslem style
5.
Mozarabic –a style evolved by Christians under Moorish influence in Spain from
late 9th to 11th century
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IN BRITISH ISLES AND
SCANDINAVIA
( 1ST to12TH CENTURY )
A. BRITISH ISLES
1. Anglo Saxon Period
·
Domestic
building was probably largely dependent upon the use of timber
·
The
masonry of church building from about the middle of the seventh century show
signs of dependence on timber prototypes
o Long and short work in quoins
o Pilaster strips derived from
liesenen
o Triangular headed openings
o Blind arcading
o Turned balusters
o Midwall shafts
·
Central
and western axial towers were occasionally terminated in a form of short hipped
spire springing from each apex of the four gables on the tower faces
2. Norman Period
·
Churches
have very long naves due to influence coming from Cluny as at Norwich ( 14 bays ), S. Albans ( 13 bays ) and
Winchester ( 12 bays )
·
Chancels
of cathedrals and abbey churches are also very long
·
Double
eastern transept plan as at Canterbury
·
Features
imported form Normandy are the typical
Benedictine plan having three apses as at Durham and Peterborough
·
One
apse transept survived at Norwich, two at Gloucester and four in the eastern
apses at Canterbury
·
The
multiplicity of apsidal chapels in monastic churches was necessitated by the
growing demand for facilities for the
individual offices of a Benedictine community
·
Both
secular and monastery churches have central lantern tower over the crossing as
S. Alban and Norwich
·
The
earliest Anglo Norman groin vaults are those over irregular crypt spaces ant
Winchester and Gloucester
·
The
earliest great church designed initially and entirely with a rib vaulting
system was Durham Cathedral
·
Nearly
every large Norman church has a later Gothic high vault except at Peterborough
and Ely cathedral which have retained trussed wooden ceiling
·
Mouldings
generally are enriched by conventional carving with increased vigor through
late 11th and 12th centuries
·
Doors
and windows have jambs in square recesses or orders enclosing nook shafts
·
Side
porches are common and are often the usually mode of entrance, the western
portals only being opened for major festivals
·
Blind
arcading is used as a major decorative feature
·
Windows
are small and internal jambs are deeply splayed
·
Piers
are short and massive and either cylindrical or polygonal
·
Compound
piers with rectangular recesses
containing shafts as at Peterborough and Durham were often used alternately
with cylindrical piers
·
Shape
of the pier was influenced by the vaulting shafts which they supported
·
Capitals
are usually cubiform, or cushion type sometimes carved and scalloped the
tympana over many doorways as at Ely are sculptured with effective though rough
representation of scriptural subject
B. SCANDINAVIA
·
Romanesque
architecture did not appear in Scandinavia until British and Continental
European influence upon church building became effective toward the middle of
the 17th century
·
The
smaller 12th century churches are frequently based upon two cell
plan similar to those of both Celtic and Gallic origin in England
·
Twelfth
century cathedral churches have more mature Romanesque character
·
The
wooden stave churches of Norway represent a type that was once common across
Northern Europe, but elsewhere have been destroyed or replaced
·
Denmark
has seven rotunda churches, which have a circular nave, divided internally and
have projecting chancel and apse as at Nylars
·
Chancels
and apse are constructed as small intersecting circles as at Osterlars church
·
Bulky
west towers with stepped gables are typical of Denmark
·
In
Denmark, the west tower may extend across the whole width of the church forming
a westwerk as at Aa church
·
Small
stone churches in Norway and Sweden have a short wide nave, square chancel, an
apse and a western tower with pyramidal shingled spire as at Hove church
·
Large
central towers occur in Norway as at Old Aker Church
·
Free
standing bell towers are found, often with half timbered upper section
·
Openings
are generally small and simple
·
Many
doors have carved tympanum as at Vestervig Church
·
Most
churches have timber roofed naves, but ribbed vaulting over smaller spaces such
as the chancel is common
·
Arcades
may be of simple rectangular piers as at Ribe, Denmark
·
Fully
developed Romanesque arcades of three stages occur in churches built under
English or german influence as at Nidaros Cathedral
·
Large
churches may have paired towers at the western end as at Mariakirken, Bergen
EXAMPLES
A. BRITISH ISLES
Three
types of Cathedral in England and Wales
1.
Cathedral of Old Foundation
-
were served by secular clergy and not affected by the reforms of Henry VIII
a.
York h.
Hereford
b. Litchfield i.
London
c.
Wells j.
Llandaff
d.
Exeter k.
Bangor
e.
Salisbury l.
S. David
f.
Chichester m.
S. Asaph
g.
Lincoln
2.
Cathedral of Monastic Foundation
-
originally served by regular clergy or monks
-
were reconstituted at the Dissolution of the Monasteries as chapters of secular
canons
a.
Canterbury h.
Carlisle
b.
Durham i.
Peterborough
c.
Rochester j.
Gloucester
d.
Worchester k.
Chester
e.
Winchester l.
Oxford
f.
Norwich m.
Bristol
g.
Ely
3.
Cathedral of New Foundation
-
are those to which bishop have been more recently appointed
a.
Ripon h.
Chelmsford
b.
Southwell i.
Southwark
c.
New Castles j.
S. Albans
d.
Wakefield k.
S. Edmonds
e.
Manchester l.
Coventry
f.
Birmingham m.
Liverpool
g. Truro n.
Guilford
B. SCANDINAVIA
1.
Sancta Maria Minor, Lund
·
Now
in Sweden
·
Is
probably the earliest example of the timber stave churches
·
Of
the simplest type, it is nearly basilican in plan form, having two cells with
outer palisade walls constructed of halved and splined logs
2.
Holtalen Church
·
Now
preserved in the Folk Museum at Trondheim
·
Is
the most typical of the numerous and persistent type of small church
·
Of
the late eleventh century, it has a two cell plan and stout timber columns at
the corners framed into sills
3.
Borgund Church
·
The
most celebrated stave church in Scandinavia
·
Illustrates
the full development of the structural design of the stave church
·
The
chancel has an eastern apse of later date and the upper gables are embellished
with carved dragons heads
·
Internal
decoration is limited to carved heads as capitals to the main columns and
foliated carvings of the bracing timber above the level of the aisled wall
4.
Lund Cathedral
·
Then
in Denmark, now in Sweden
·
Was
built after 1103 to an enlarged design of Donatus, probably a Lombard architect
·
The
plan is organized on a double bay system possibly modeled upon that of Speyer
Cathedral
·
Incorporates
a western tribune and towers begun about 1150
·
The
arcaded eastern apse is strongly Lombardic and probably earlier than comparable
Rhineland examples of the same influence
·
Richly
decorated capitals, arches and tympana reflect a continuing Nordic
tradition
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