Romanesque architecture developed across Europe between the 11th and 13th centuries. It was inspired by Roman art, featuring cut stone and rounded arches. Characteristics include thick walls, small windows, and strong buttresses to support heavy barrel vaults made of stone in church naves. This style conveyed stability, privacy, and Christian symbolism through its Latin cross floor plan.

1. Romanesque Architecture
General characteristics:
It was developed in Europe in the 11th
, 12th
and
13th
centuries.
It's the first European style. It can be found all
around Europe.
It is inspired in Roman art and because of that it
is called Romanesque.
From the Romans they copied the use of cut
stone (sillería) and the use of the Roman arch
(arco de medio punto).

2. In this photograph we an observe the use of cut
stone and Roman arches.
San Martín de
Frómista
(Palencia)
San Martín de
Frómista
(Palencia)

3. Architectural Characteristics

They recover the “round arch” used by the
Romans:

4.  The church is covered with barrel vaults that
were made out of stone.

5. • What is a barrel vault?
A barrel vault is a succession of round arches,
one after another, that cover the central nave of
the church.

6.  As a consequence of the use of barrel vaults
the structure is very heavy and because of that:
 Walls are thick (in order to hold the weight of the
vault)
ButtressButtress
 They need strong
buttresses
(contrafuertes)
 They use few and
small windows

7.  In this image we can observe the previous
characteristics.
Collegiate Church, Toro (Zamora)Collegiate Church, Toro (Zamora)

8. Sensations
• Sensation of privacy
• Stability and security
• Spiritual Sensation
• Symbolism: Latin cross

11. Types of Vaults
Barrel vault: it was
used mainly to cover
the central nave
Groin vault was
common in aisles and
ambulatories
Dome: spherical shape. It was used in
apses. The central Dome could stand
on pendentives (pechina) or
squinches (trompa).
Cathedral of
Zamora.
(Dome)
Cathedral of
Zamora.
(Dome)

12. SAINT MARY OF LAACH (Germany), 12th
Century

13. Saint Sernin of Toulouse, France