a brief take on romanesque and gothic architecture

1. ROMANESQUE AND GOTHIC
CHURCH BUILDINGS
NAME:BASSEY EME A.
REG NO:2016/238466
COURSE TITLE: HISTORY OF
ARCHITECTURE
TITLE: SECOND SEMESTER
ASSIGNMENT

2. ROMANESQUE
CHURCH
BUILDINGS
1
.

3. Small Windows and Thick Walls&
STRENGTH
• Lund Cathedral in Sweden
exemplifies the Romanesque
preference for small windows and
thick walls. The cathedral's
narrow, rounded windows allow
minimal natural light into the
interior, while its massive walls
provide structural support and
convey a sense of solidity and
permanence.
• A distinctive feature of Romanesque
architecture is the relatively small size
of windows and the thickness of walls.
Windows are typically narrow and rounded,
allowing minimal natural light into the
interior spaces. This design reflects the
structural limitations of the time, as
large windows would weaken the walls and
compromise the building's stability.
Consequently, Romanesque cathedrals often
have a dimly lit, introspective atmosphere
compared to the luminous interiors of later
Gothic cathedrals.
A.

4. USE OF TowerS and Bell Towers
• Pisa Cathedral in Italy features a
prominent bell tower known as the
Leaning Tower of Pisa. While the
cathedral itself is primarily
Romanesque in style, its
freestanding bell tower exhibits
Romanesque architectural elements,
including rounded arches and
decorative blind arcading, making
it a notable example of Romanesque
tower construction.Cathedral in
Sweden exemplifies the Romanesque
preference for small windows and
thick walls. The cathedral's
narrow, rounded windows allow
minimal natural light into the
interior, while its massive walls
provide structural support and
convey a sense of solidity and
permanence.
B.
• These towers often rise above the crossing
or facade of the cathedral, providing a
focal point for the surrounding landscape
and signaling the presence of the church
to the community. The towers may be
adorned with decorative elements such as
blind arcading, spires, or sculptural
figures, adding to the architectural
richness of the building.

5. C.
• Romanesque cathedrals are adorned
with elaborate sculptural decoration,
particularly on the capitals of
columns and pilasters. These capitals
are intricately carved with a
variety of motifs, including
geometric patterns, foliage, and
biblical scenes. The sculptures serve
both decorative and symbolic
purposes, enhancing the aesthetic
appeal of the cathedral while
conveying religious and theological
messages to worshippers
• Saint-Sernin Basilica in Toulouse,
France, boasts elaborate
sculptural decoration on its
capitals and facade. The capitals
of the basilica's columns are
intricately carved with decorative
motifs, including foliage,
animals, and biblical scenes,
showcasing the artistic skill and
craftsmanship of the Romanesque
period.
USE OF Decorative
SculptureS

6. GOTHIC
CHURCH
BUILDINGS
2
.

7. Stained Glass Windows
A.
• Canterbury Cathedral in England is
renowned for its exquisite stained
glass windows, which fill the interior
with vibrant colors and diffuse
light. The cathedral's Great South
Window, dating back to the 12th
century, is one of the oldest and
largest surviving examples of
medieval stained glass in the world.
It depicts scenes from the life of
Christ and the Old Testament, serving
as a visual representation of
Christian doctrine and spirituality.
• Perhaps the most iconic feature of
Gothic cathedrals is their extensive
use of stained glass windows. These
windows fill the interior with
vibrant colors and diffuse light,
creating a transcendent and
ethereal atmosphere. Stained glass
windows depict biblical narratives,
scenes from the lives of saints, and
other religious motifs, serving as a
visual representation of Christian
theology and spirituality.

8. VERTICALITY AND HIGH HEADROOMS
B.
• Cologne Cathedral in Germany
exemplifies the verticality of Gothic
architecture with its soaring twin
spires, which reach a height of
over 157 meters (515 feet). The
cathedral's towers dominate the
skyline of Cologne, emphasizing the
aspiration towards the divine and
serving as a symbol of spiritual
transcendence.
• Gothic architecture emphasizes
verticality, with tall spires,
towers, and pointed arches that
draw the eye upward, symbolizing
the aspiration towards the divine
and heavenly realms.

9. LIGHTING AND SPACING.
C.
• The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in
Chartres, France, is celebrated for
its luminous interior, filled with the
vibrant colors of its stained glass
windows. The cathedral's high,
vaulted ceilings and slender columns
create a sense of spaciousness and
openness, allowing light to flood the
nave and transepts, illuminating the
sacred space with celestial
radiance.
• Gothic architecture prioritizes light
and space, with expansive interiors
flooded with natural light from
stained glass windows. The use of
ribbed vaults and pointed arches
allows for greater height and
openness within the nave, creating a
sense of grandeur and awe-inspiring
beauty.

10. THANK YOU