The document discusses Romanesque architecture, a medieval European style prevalent from 1000 to 1200 A.D., characterized by the church's role in society and the use of local materials. It highlights the historical context of the time, including the Crusades and the increase in church construction, and defines the architectural features associated with Romanesque buildings. The style is named for its resemblance to Roman architecture and reflects the cultural and religious priorities of the period.

1. ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
HISTARC2
DFR4B
GRP. 1
THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE
1000 – 1200 B.C.

2. OUTLINE
• SETTING (HISTORY OF SOCIETY)
• RELIGION
• “ROMANESQUE”
• MATERIALS
• CHARACTERISTICS
• ARCHES, COLUMNS, PLANS
• BUILDING TYPES and EXAMPLES

3. SETTING
MIGRATION AND INVASION OF TRIBES = DECLINE OF ROME
AND BEGINNING OF DARK AGES

4. SETTING – THE CRUSADES
• Were a series of
religiously sanctioned
military campaigns
waged by western
Christian Europe
• Objective: To restore
Christian Control over the
Holy Land
• Effect: Brought about
different movements
resulting in “roman-like”
decoration of buildings

5. RELIGION
ACROSS EUROPE, THE LATE 11TH AND
12TH CENTURIES SAW AN
UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH IN THE
NUMBER OF CHURCHES

6. RELIGION IN THE MIDDLE AGES
• Christianity was the chief source of education
and culture.
• THE MONASTIC SYSTEM
– Religious became members of an order with
common ties and a common rule, living in a
mutually dependent community.
– Promoted new methods in agriculture.
– Exercised influence on architecture

7. • THE PILGRIMAGE
– Long trips to visit the relics of Saints
– Allowed for the exchange of ideas, including those
of architecture and construction.
– The Pilgrims’ way was filled with Romanesque
churches, monasteries, inns, and castles.

9. ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
WHY “ROMANESQUE”?

10. • Romanesque = “Roman- like”
• This style grew in those countries of Western
Europe which had been under the rule of
Rome.
• With the church as the unifying force, this
period was devoted to the glorification of
Christianity and the church was the
predominant building type.

11. CLIMATE AND MATERIALS
• Use of Local materials:
– Stone
– Brick
– Marble
– Terra-cotta
– Ready- made
columns
• Climactic conditions
contribute to differences of
treatment north and south
of the Alps & Pyrenees.
• North – Window openings
were enlarged
- High pitched roofs
South – small window
openings
- Flat Roofs

13. CHARACTERISTICS
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF
ROMANESQUE WALLS, OPENINGS,
ROOFS, COLUMNS, MOULDINGS, AND
ORNAMENTS

33. ARCHES, COLUMNS, PLANS

39. BUILDING TYPES AND OTHER
EXAMPLES

46. FIN.

47. Questions
1. These were a series of religiously
sanctioned military campaigns waged by
western Christian Europe.

48. 2. These were long trips to visit the
relics of Saints

49. 3. Give 2 local materials used for
construction.

50. 4. Give 2 characteristics of
Romanesque Architecture.

51. 5. What is the literal meaning of
“Romanesque”?

52. sources
• Conant, Kenneth J., Carolingian and Romanesque Architecture: 800 to 1200 (4th,
illustrated, reprint ed.). Yale University Press. 1993. ISBN 978-0-300-05298-5
• V.I. Atroshenko and Judith Collins, The Origins of the Romanesque, Lund
Humphries, London, 1985, ISBN 0-85331-487-X
• Rolf Toman, Romanesque: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Könemann,
(1997), ISBN 3-89508-447-6
• Banister Fletcher, A History of Architecture on the Comparative method (2001).
Elsevier Science & Technology. ISBN 0-7506-2267-9.
• Alfred Clapham, Romanesque Architecture in England British Council (1950)
• Helen Gardner; Fred S. Kleiner, Christin J. Mamiya, Gardner's Art through the Ages.
Thomson Wadsworth, (2004) ISBN 0-15-505090-7.
• George Holmes, editor, The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe, Oxford
University Press, (1992) ISBN 0-19-820073-0
• René Huyghe, Larousse Encyclopedia of Byzantine and Medieval Art, Paul Hamlyn,
(1958)
• François Ischer, Building the Great Cathedrals. Harry N. Abrams, (1998). ISBN 0-
8109-4017-5.