ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

• “Roman-like”
• Populated the landscape of the Middle Ages
• Heavy articulated masonry construction with
narrow openings, round arches, barrel vaults,
and sparse ornament.
• Churches gradually changed to cross-shaped
plans formed by wings called transepts and the
choir.
• has towers at the west and east ends and the
crossing of nave and transepts
• known in England as Norman Architecture
• Influenced by Roman architecture as well as
elements of Byzantine Architecture

ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

 ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Characterized by:
• towering round arches supporting the roof
• massive stone and brickwork
• small windows
• round “blind arches” used extensively for
decoration inside and outside of the structure
• inclination for housing art and sculpture
depicting biblical scenes
• Harmonious proportions
• stone barrel vault or groin vault
• thick, heavy walls and pillars
• nave with side aisles

ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

PISA CATHEDRAL
Italy
 A RCH IT ECT U RA L CH A R A CT E R

Churches
Sober and Arctuated with
Dignified Monasteries

Architectural System of Structures

Character Construction

ARCH 253 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

ARCH 253 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2
 A RCH IT ECT U RA L CH A R A CT E R

Walls: corbel arches, pilasters

Window: wheel window

Doors: Main-projecting porches

Roof: Vaulting

Columns: coupled

Mouldings: Sculptures

ARCH 253 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

Ornaments: pre-fresco
 Recessed arch Groin and barrel
Arches
entrance valuts

OTHER
ROMANESQUE
Absidioles and
Blind Arcade Square Towers
Ambulatory

FEATURES
Columns- paired,
Historiated
attached, Tympanum
capitals
decorated

Underground
Westwork
vaults

ARCH 253 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

 BUILDING USES

This imposing style of architecture accounted for most of

the churches and political buildings throughout
medieval Europe.

Since Romanesque designs were a by-product of dark

ages, it often doubled up as defensive structures.

Structures were also made fire-resistant to some extend

by replacing timber construction with masonry vaulting.

ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

WEST FACADE, MARIA LAACH ABBEY
Germany
 DIFFERENT PERIODS

Pre-Romanesque and Early Romanesque

• thick rubble walls
• smaller windows
• vault-less roofs
• rhythmic ornamental arches

Mature Romanesque Architecture

• more refines style
• increased use of the vault and dressed stone

ARCH 253 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

MONREALE CATHEDRAL
Palermo, Monreal
 DEVELOPMENT
• Romanesque developed due to a series of
causes:
- The end of Barbarian invasions
- The decomposition of Cordoba
- The establishment of peace in the
Christian World, with the
development of the cities
commerce and industry
- Religious rules become more
known and widespread
- The Crusades

ARCH 253 | HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

SAN LORENZO CHURCH, (Ferdinand III of Castile), Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain

Built in a transitional style between Romaneque and Gothic
ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ROMANESQUE CHURCH

• THICK WALLS
- Massive supporting walls had a few and
comparatively small openings and arches had
to be constructed for larger openings.

- To hold the heavy roofs covered with

vaults

- To lessen the damage caused by fires

ANCIENNE ABBAYE DE LESSAY, Normandy, France

A R CABBEY
H 2 5 3 |OF
H ITHE
STOR Y O FTRINITY,
HOLY A R C H I TLESSAY
E C T U R EABBEY
2

One of the most important Norman Romanesque churches along with Durham Cathedral
One of the first examples use of the rib vault
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ROMANESQUE CHURCH
ROSE WINDOW (English)
CATHERINNE WINDOW (named after St. Catherine of
Alexandria, who was sentenced to be executed on a spiked
breaking wheel)
OCULAR WINDOW or OCULUS (Italian)
WHEEL WINDOW, Florence, Italy WHEEL WINDOW
Window at Basilica di Santa Maria Novella (1420) - circular windows divided into segments
- became a popular characteristic
- commonly used in Gothic period but scattered examples of
decorated circular windows existed in the Romanesque period
- The origin of the rose window may be found in the Roman
Oculus. These large circular openings let in both light and air,
the best known being that at the top of the dome of
the Pantheon. Geometrical patterns similar to those in rose
windows occur in Roman Mosaics.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA, Aquileia, Udine, Italy ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2
Façade in Romanesque-Gothic Style; Wheel Windows without tracery
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ROMANESQUE CHURCH

ROOFS
- It was made from wood, then stone.
- Vaulted roofs generally featured barrel-
vaults and groin vaults made of stone or
brick.
- Eventually, these evolved into the
pointed ribbed arch used in Gothic
Architecture.

ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

Interior of SANTA MARIA, (8th-early 12th Cen.) Cosmedin, Rome

Basilica in plan and reuses ancient columns
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ROMANESQUE CHURCH

TOWERS
- Towers which were earlier constructed
as a defensive measure became a regular
feature in the Romanesque Architecture.
- Usually circular, octagonal or square in
shape.

MARIA LAACH ABBEY, (11th- 12th Cen.) Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

Lake Abbey; Has circular towers near the narthex enclosing a garden,
square towers at the rear
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ROMANESQUE CHURCH

BUTTRESS
- A buttress is a vertical support member
that rests on a wall to provide additional
support.

- Romanesque buttresses are generally of

flat square profile and do not project a lot
beyond the wall.

ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ROMANESQUE CHURCH

PLANS
- Abbey and Cathedral churches generally
follow the Latin Cross plan which is in the
shape of a cruciform.
- The simplest Romanesque churches are
aisleless halls with a projecting apse.

ARCH 252: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

PIAZZA DEL DUOMO, (presently Piazza dei Miracoli), Pisa; Tuscany, Italy
Italian Romanesque. In addition to the cathedral itself, the Pisa Cathedral Complex includes a church, a baptistery, a cemetery
and one very famous campanile or bell tower- better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Key features and highlights of Pisa Cathedral include:
Romanesque architecture:
• The cathedral showcases the classic elements of the
Romanesque style, such as round arches, thick walls, and ornate
sculptures.
Bronze doors:
• The cathedral's main entrance features intricate bronze doors
depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Interior:
• The interior is adorned with beautiful frescoes and mosaics,
including a famous cycle depicting the life of Christ.
Pulpit:
• The pulpit is a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture, featuring
intricate carvings and biblical scenes.
Leaning Tower of Pisa:
• While not part of the cathedral itself, the Leaning Tower is an
integral part of the complex and a major tourist attraction.
PLAN
• CATHEDRAL
serves as a place of worship for the bishop of the
diocese and is often associated with significant
religious events and ceremonies.

• BAPTISTERY
A space, area or separate building of a church
or cathedral, containing a font where baptism
takes place.

• CAMPANILE
Bell tower, freestanding or attached to a
building

• CAMPOSANTO
A cemetery surrounded by a colonnade
BAPTISTERY

Construction began:
- Romanesque Style: 1153 under
Diotsalvi
- 1277-1297: Nicola and Giovanni Pisano
gave the upper part a Gothic
transformation
- 1300s: Cellino di Nese added the
Gothic dome
Completed in 1363
Considered as Italy’s largest baptistery
- 54.86m tall
- 104m in circumference
CEMETERY

Known as Campsanto Monumentale or

Camposanto Vecchio
Situated in the northern side of Pisa
Cathedral Complex
Legend says that any person buried in this
ground will decay within 24 hours
Building surrounding the burial ground was
constructed by Giovanni in 1278
Exterior wall of the building has forty-three
(43) blind arches and two (2) doorways
 PISA CATHEDRAL
• Construction began in 1093
• Pisa Cathedral is large, with nave and
four aisles, and is one of the most
impressive and majestic of all
Romanesque Churches
• Pisans wanted their Bishop's church
not only be a monument to the glory of
God but also to bring credit to the city.
• Main Architect was Buscheto; he was
buried in the last blind arch on the left
side of the façade.
• Façade is made out of marble .
 PISA CATHEDRAL
• Resembles an Early Christian Basilica with
a timber roof, columnar arcade and
clerestory
• Broadly projecting transept with apses,
crossing dome and the façade’s multiple
arcaded galleries are the key features of
Romanesque Architecture
• Bottom section of the façade has tall blind
arcades with pastel colored marble inlay
and three portals with bronze doors.
Above are four (4) rows of open arcades
with delicate columns rising to the top of a
gable that is much taller than the
cathedral roof.
 CAMPANILE
(PISA CATHEDRAL COMPLEX)

• Construction begun in 1773

• Final Structure to be erected in the complex
• Settling of foundations and resulting lean became
apparent before it was even finished- after only three
(3) stories were completed.
• The engineer believed to be Bonnano Pisano, tried to
compensate by making the new stories a little taller on
one side However, the extra materials caused the
tower to sink even more.
 CAMPANILE
(PISA CATHEDRAL COMPLEX)

• Made of gleaming white and pastel marbles

• Has a diameter of 52ft (16m) at the base and would
stand 185ft (56m) high if it were straight
• Currently leans 5.5 degrees which amounts to 15ft or
4.5m from the vertical
PIAZZA DEL DUOMO (Presently Piazza del Miracoli)
Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
INTERIOR

• PRE-ROMANESQUE

• NORMAN ARCHITECTURE

• Known for its intricate details

and historical significance,
this cathedral has stood for
centuries

In Britain, the Romanesque style became known as “Norman”

because the major building scheme in the 11th and 12th centuries
was instigated by William the Conqueror, who invaded Britain in
1066 from Normandy in northern France.
GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL (Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity)
formerly St. Peter’s Abbey
Gloucester, England
Key features and highlights of Gloucester Cathedral include:
• NORMAN CRYPT
One of only four apsidal crypts in England, offering a
glimpse into the cathedral's early history.

• 15TH CENTURY CLOISTER

Renowned for its beautiful fan-vaulting, a unique
architectural feature.
• TOWER
Rising to a height of 225 feet, it offers panoramic views of
the city.
• ROYAL BURIALS
The cathedral is the resting place of Edward II, a significant
figure in English history.
• HOGWARTS LOCATION
Gloucester Cathedral has gained popularity as a filming location
for the Harry Potter series, attracting fans from around the world.
Santa Maria Nuova

• Arab-Norman cathedral
• dedicated to the Virgin Mary
• In 1174, the Norman King William commissioned the
construction of this massive building.
• He claimed that the Madonna herself appeared in his
dream and asked him to build her a temple.
• Originally was part of a complex of buildings
consisting of a royal palace, a Benedictine Monastery
and the Church itself.
• The church and the monastery have been preserved.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

• Thick walls with small windows

• Rounded arches
• Long nave with barrel vaults
• Use of groin vault at the intersection of
two barrel vaults
L’ABBAYE AUX HOMMES, (1120AD) Caen, France
Men’s Abbey; One of the most importaant Romanesque building in Normandy. The original
Romanesque Apse was replaced to complete with rose windows and flying buttress
L’ABBAYE AUX DAMES, (1083AD) Caen, France
Ladies’ Abbey, Abbey of Saint. Trinity; First Benedictine nunnery in Saintes in Charente-Maritime, France. The abbey was
founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou, and his wife Agnes. Agnes later retired to the nunnery and died there.
 DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

• Style bears a strong resemblance

to North Italian Architecture
• Octagonal turrets, in conjunction
with polygonal domes
• Arcaded Galleries under eaves
• Richly ornamented doorways and
capitals
• Vaults

HIGH CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER IN TRIER, Trier, Germany

German Romanesque. Oldest church in Germany, largest religious structure in Trier; Notable for its long life span and grand design.
CENTRAL EUROPE

WORMS CATHEDRAL, Worms, Germany

German Romanesque. Castle-like; claimed to be the representative cathedral of the period.