The document discusses the characteristics and evolution of Romanesque architecture between 1000-1200 CE. Some key points: 1. Romanesque architecture developed after the decline of the Roman Empire and featured thick load-bearing walls, small windows, semi-circular arches, and orders of monks who spread architectural styles across Europe. 2. Characteristics included harmonious proportions, heavy walls and pillars, round blind arches and sculpted decorations. Vaulting systems included barrel vaults, groin vaults and pointed arch vaults. 3. Examples discussed include the Pisa Cathedral complex in Italy, known for its leaning tower, and the Abbey aux Hommes in Caen, France, with its twin towers

1. ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
Ar. Angel Roselin

2. ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE 1000- 1200 CE
• Decline of Roman Empire lead to building of
large churches called cathedrals in a big way with
the spread of organized monasteries called order.
• Monastic orders include orders such as the
Benedictine order (teachers), Augustinian order
(preachers), the Cistercian order (farmers), the
Clunaic order (artists), and Carthusian order
(Ascetics).
• 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.
• Expansion of Romanesque architecture was linked
with pilgrimage to Santiago, expansion of orders,
crusades and development of feudal system.
• The style can be discovered throughout Europe
with its regional variations.
Horizontal Emphasis
Simple exterior facade
Multiple lines

3. CHARACTERISTICS
• Harmonious proportions
• Thick and heavy walls and pillars
• Small windows
• Round arches supporting the roof.
• Round blind arches for decoration
• Sculptured decorations on portals,
capitals and other surfaces.
• Painted decorations
Blind arches
Small windows
Thick and Heavy
walls
Round arches

4. CHARACTERISTICS
Plan: Retains basic plan of Early Christian Basilica ( Long three aisled nave intercepted by a
transept and terminating in a semicircular apse crowned by a half dome ).

5. CHARACTERISTICS
Round Arches Piers supporting the vaults
• Support arches,
Combination of half
segments of large
hollow columns or a
clustered group of
small shafts.
• Cruciform in shape
masonry and square
or rectangle in
section.

6. CHARACTERISTICS: Vaulting system

7. CHARACTERISTICS: Vaulting system
Barrel Vault:
• Simplest type of vaulted roof
• Single arched surfaces extends from wall to wall, the length of the space to be vaulted.
• Barrel Vault requires strong support by solid walls.
Groin Vault:
• Intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles.
• The thrust is concentrated along the groins (the diagonal edges formed along the points
where the barrel vaults intersect. So, the vault need only be abutted at four corners.
Ribbed Vault:
• In ribbed vault, not only are the ribs spanning vaulted area traversely but each vaulted bay has
diagonal ribs.
• In a ribbed vault, the ribs are structural members and the spaces between them are filled with
lighter, non structural materials

8. CHARACTERISTICS: Vaulting system
Pointed arch Vault:
• In Late Romanesque period, another solution came into use from regulating the height of
diagonal and traverse ribs.
• Using the arches of same diameter for horizontal and traverse ribs, causing traverse ribs to
meet at a point.

9. CHARACTERISTICS
Columns:
Salvaged Columns
• In Italy, during this period, a great number of
antique Roman columns were salvaged and reused
in the interiors and on the porticos of churches.
• The marble columns are most durable and have
stone horizontally bedded.
• Majority are vertically bedded and are sometimes of
a variety of colors.
• They have retained the original roman capitals, of
the Corinthian or Roman Composite style.
• Salvaged columns were used to lesser extent in
France.

10. CHARACTERISTICS
Drum Columns
• In most parts of Europe, Romanesque columns were massive, as
they supported thick upper walls with small windows, and
sometimes heavy vaults. The most common method of
construction was to build them out of stone cylinders called
drums.
Hollow core columns
• Constructed of ashlar masonry and the hollow core is filled with
rubble.
• These huge untapered columns are sometimes ornamented with
incised decorations.

11. CHARACTERISTICS
Alterations
• Alteration of piers and columns.
• Simplest form will have a column between
each adjoining pier.
• Sometimes the columns are in multiple of two
or three.

12. CHARACTERISTICS
Building Materials :
• Brick – Italy, Poland , much Germany and parts of the
Netherland.
• Limestone, granite – other areas
• Building stone – small and irregular pieces, bedded in
thick mortar.
• Buildings made of stone. For buildings with stone roofs
the walls for support, the walls were thick and had small
windows. So Romanesque interiors was often heavy and
dark.

13. CHARACTERISTICS
Architectonical Typology
:
Church
• God’s kingdom. The circular parts
reflect perfection linked with god.
• Squared parts are related to
human.
• Plans could be Latin cross,
polygonal and basilical.
Monastery
• Designed as a microcosm
as the city of god.
Castle
• Defensive constructions
• Fortified for providing shelter
• The castles were built in
stepped areas, easier to
defend.

14. ITALIAN ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
Geographical : Location of the cities in Italy to develop as major port cities. On the basis of
geographical variations in architecture it is classified into three: : 1. Central Italy, still under the
influence of Rome, 2. Northern Italy in contact with western Europe 3. Southern Italy open to
Eastern influences .
Climatic: Central Italy has sunny and Mediterranean climate that demanded small windows and
thick walls to keep off heat. Northern Italy has cold climate and hence buildings have larger
windows and pitched roofs. Southern Italy has subtropical climate and therefore they has flat
roofs and open courtyards.
Religious : During this period, the Popes, Bishops & other members of the clergy gained power
and hence religious buildings like large Cathedrals & Monasteries were constructed.
Social : The growth of trade ad commerce that led to rise in power of merchant families in Pisa ,
Venice and Genoa that give rise to development of architecture.
Historical : Influence of the eastern architecture by the sea trade reflected in Islamic influence in
interiors.
Geological : Materials obtained from the ruins of classical buildings. Stone from Tuscany, Marble
from Carera and Greek Islands, Brick and volcanic tufa soil from Rome and Travertine from Tivoli.

15. ITALIAN ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS
• Influence of Moorish, Byzantine and
Roman architecture styles.
• Latin cross plan with cupola at the
intersection of transepts.
• Thick walls
• Separate buildings for church
• Semi circular arcading
• Marble statues in eves and ridges.
• Pitched roof
• Gilded coffer ceiling
• Use of Horizontal bands of colored
marble.
• Ornamentation by mosaics
• Clerestory windows
ST. MINIATO , FLORENCE

16. PISA COMPLEX, ITALY

17. PISA COMPLEX
Site Plan :
Separate buildings for the church, bell
tower (campanile) , baptistery & the
cemetery (Campasanto) is a
development of Romanesque period.
a) Pisa Cathedral
b) Campo Santo (Holy field),
Cemetery
c) Baptistery
d) Leaning tower of Pisa
(Campanile), Bell tower of the
Pisa Cathedral
Campanile
Cathedral
Campo Santo
Baptistery

18. PISA COMPLEX : PISA CATHEDRAL
Plan : Latin cross plan with a elliptical cupola or dome above intersection. The transepts ends
in apses. The nave is flanked with double aisles.

19. PISA COMPLEX : PISA CATHEDRAL
Facade : Semicircular arcading in façade
throws shadows on the walls giving the
requisite depth in elevations. The
arcades tier up to the gable end with
marble statues at the ridges and eves.
Cladding on walls with horizontal
bands of colored marble
Marble statues at eves and ridge
Blind arches

20. PISA COMPLEX : PISA CATHEDRAL
Interior :
Alternating horizontal
bands of white and black
marble of Moorish
Influence
Pointed arch of
Islamic Influence
Clere storey
Lighting
Gilded Coffered
Ceiling
Mosaic work of
Byzantine Influence
Cross Vaulting in
Aisles

21. PISA COMPLEX : CAMPO SANTO
• Campo Santo or
Monumental Cemetery in
Pisa was constructed in 1278
around the dirt brought
from Golgotha.
• It was the burial place for
Pisan Upper class for
centuries.
• In Later centuries the 14th
and 15th CE the walls were
decorated with frescoes.

22. PISA COMPLEX : BAPTISTERY
• The Baptistery dedicated to St John the Baptist was built during the mid 12th century by Dioti
Salvi.
Circular plan with a
circumference of 107.25m
Drum of the dome divided
horizontally to two parts by
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.

23. PISA COMPLEX : LEANING TOWER OF PISA
• 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 Ground Floor
& decrease to 2.5m in top Floors.
Blind
arches

24. FRENCH ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
Geographical : France is located between the North & South of Western Europe with 4 rivers
(Seine, Rhone) connecting the Mediterranean with the Atlantic. 1. Southern France has richly
decorated church facades & the use of roman architectural features 2. Northern France has 2
flanking towers in west façade and rib and panel vault over the nave.
Climatic : 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.
Religious : Religious zeal led to more people opting for monastic life & hence large monasteries
were built. Eg. Abbey aux Hommes, Caen.
Social : For most of the time from the 6th to11th century, France existed as a series of small
states & therefore feudal landlords became very powerful and they were attached to the local
religious order.
Historical : King Pepin unified France & his son Charlemagne became the Emperor.
Geological : In Normandy - fine grained Caen stone available and used in religious and secular
building. In south, pumice & tufa stone which were light in weight was abundant and were used
as panels in the ribbed vaulting.

25. FRENCH ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS
• Massive Quality
• Thick walls with small openings. They are often
double shells filled with rubble.
• Piers in square or rectangular in plan and
horizontal molding at the springing of the arch.
• Drum columns and Corinthian capitals that are
round at bottom are used.
• Alteration of piers of different forms.
• Semicircular arches
• Tall towers, 2 large square towers in abbey
churches.
• Groin vault
• Sculptural scheme at the entrance portal.
• Murals in the interior of vaults and domes.
• Apsidal ends have a chancel surrounded by an
ambulatory.
AUTUN CATHEDRAL , BURGUNDY

26. ABBEY AUX HOMMES

27. ABBEY AUX HOMMES
The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen, also known as church of St. Etienne stands along with the
neighboring abbey or women. It was built of stone in the 11th CE.
Plan :
Chevet
Sexpartite
Ribbed
Vaulting
Quadripartite
ribbed vaulting

28. ABBEY AUX HOMMES
Facade :
• Spires over square & octagonal
towers are a characteristic feature of
the French Romanesque and when
grouped with pyramidal or conical
roofs give a vertical character to the
style.
• The entrance of the Abbey is made
up of squared rubble stone
Twin towers with
octagonal spires
Recessed entrance
gate
Flat Buttress that
take thrust of
towers

29. ABBEY AUX HOMMES
Slate roof on
wooden trusses Semi-circular barrel vault
over triforium to
counteract the thrust of
the nave vault.
Flat Buttress
Triforium
Nave
Ribbed Vault
Aisle

30. ABBEY AUX HOMMES
Interior :
Sexpartite Vault
Massive piers
Triforium gallery
used by women.
Clerestorey
lighting

31. ENGLISH ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE (NORMAN)
Geographical : Since England is geographically separated from the
rest of Europe by sea, the Romanesque style arrived here belatedly.
Climatic : 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.
Religious : Various monastic orders were established & towns grew
up around abbeys and castles, which subsequently became trading
centers that laid the foundations of local government. The
government was formed by nobles, clergy and commons.
Geological : England had a variety of stones such as the granites of
Cornwall, the sandstone of Yorkshire Bath stone and marble from
Puerbeck. The fine oak forests provided timber for trusses, beams &
posts.

32. ENGLISH ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE CHARACTERISTICS
• Bold and massive with heavy piers and
walls
• Semicircular arches
• Cylindrical piers
• Flat Buttress
• Naves were covered by flat roofs, later
replaced by vaults and aisles with groined
vaults
• The groins of cross vaults were replaced
by ribs along the side & diagonals, which
supported the thin panels of stone, which
later evolved into the elaborate rib &
panel vaulting of gothic period.

33. TOWER OF LONDON

34. TOWER OF LONDON
Site Plan : Tower of London served as fortress, royal residence & prison to protect the city of
London. It houses the Royal palace of Her majesty, the Queen of England.
Moat on all
sides
Abutted on
the R. Thames
ENTRANCE
Inner bailey
with 13 towers.
Outer bailey
with 3 circular
bastions.

35. TOWER OF LONDON : WHITE TOWER
White tower is the main building within the complex and was built by William the Conqueror in
1078 AD with Caen stone imported from France.
Plan : It has 4 floors with tower at the corners rising to about 92 ft.
Moat on all
sides
Corridor running
around the building
Lower floors accommodate royal
quarters and the third floor has
banqueting hall presence chamber.
Chapel of 32 ft. width with
apsidal end.
Circular tower at the corners
housing spiral staircase.
Square towers

36. TOWER OF LONDON : WHITE TOWER
Facade : The white tower was modified by many kings and has characteristics features of
Norman style.
Towers crowned
by cupolas in
corners
Semicircular
windows
Battlemented
parapets
Flat Buttress
Emphasis to
windows by
light colored
projections.

37. EVOLUTION OF ROMANESQUE TO GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
Romanesque Gothic
• Horizontal emphasis
• Simple exterior
• Darker interiors due to usage of small
windows
• Harmonious proportions
• Thick and heavy walls and pillars
• Round arches supporting the roof.
• Round blind arches for decoration
• Sculptured decorations on portals, capitals
and other surfaces.
• Painted decorations
• Barrel Vault roofs
• Vertical emphasis
• Ornamented exterior – Gargoyles, Pinnacle,
intricated carving
• Airy and bright interiors due to use of large
stained glass windows, Rose window, Lancet
windows.
• Pointed arches supporting the roof.
• Gothic vaulting styles and use of structural
elements like buttress for support.