ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT

HISTORY OF ROMANESQUE 1. GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS

ARCHITECTURE: a. Due to collapse of Roman Empire,
Romanesque Architecture
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE is an developed in Western Europe.
architectural style of medieval Europe b. This is the direct modification of
characterized by semi-circular arches. There is no Roman Architecture.
consensus for the beginning date of the c. This style developed in Italy,
Romanesque style, with proposals ranging from the France, Germany, Central Europe,
6th to the late 10th century, this later date being the Spain and Britain.
most commonly held. It developed in the 12th
century into the Gothic style, marked by pointed 2. GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
arches. a. This style had its building materials
like stone, brick, marble, readymade
Examples of Romanesque architecture can
columns or other remains from ruins
be found across the continent, making it the first
of roman buildings.
pan-European architectural style since Imperial
b. Materials were available from Italy
Roman Architecture. The Romanesque style in
and France
England is traditionally referred to as Norman
architecture.
3. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Combining features of ancient Roman and a. There were huge variations in the
Byzantine buildings and other local traditions, climate of Italy, France and
Romanesque architecture is known by its massive England.
quality, thick walls, round arches, sturdy pillars, b. Climate of north being dull, large
groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading. window openings were provided to
Each building has clearly defined forms, frequently allow sufficient sunlight, whereas
of very regular, symmetrical plan; the overall south being hot, small windows
appearance is one of simplicity when compared were kept to cut off dazzling
with the Gothic buildings that were to follow. The sunlight.
style can be identified right across Europe, despite c. Due to less rainfall in the south part,
regional characteristics and different materials. roofs were flat, whereas in north
high pitched roofs were provided to
drain out water and snow.
THE ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
4. HISTORICAL CONDITION
The term Romanesque ("Roman-like") was a. From the fall of Roman Empire to
first used to designate a style of architecture that the period of Charlemagne, many
used Roman arches and had thick, heavy walls, churches were constructed.
based upon the basilica. The style is pervasive b. He encouraged artists & craftsmen
throughout Europe. and restored art & civilization in
west Europe.
c. For the next two centuries,
architecture made little progress
with slight changes.
GENERAL APPEARANCE 3. MODEST HEIGHT, HORIZONTAL LINES

Romanesque churches were heavily Romanesque churches have an emphasis opiern

influenced by the Roman Basilica, but they had a horizontal lines, similar to those of Greek & Roman
few important differences. public buildings.

The roof was made of stone vaults, which

were much heavier and needed more supports.
The solution was thicker walls and piers,
rather than columns alone, to support interior
spaces. This made the space inside dark, rather
gloomy, and kept the height rather low.
The exteriors were very simple, and several
geometric forms often made up the building, rather
than one large space.

1. DARK SPACES
Romanesque churches and castles were dark, with
few openings. Wars and invasions were common
place, so windows and doors were kept to a
minimum. With stone and masonry buildings,
buildings were safe from fire and invaders, but
required large supports for the weight of walls and
vaults.

ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
 Round arches
 Barrel Vaults
 Piers supporting vaults
 Groin vaults

1. ROUND ARCHES
Round arches are similar to those of the Romans.

2. EXTERIOR IS SIMPLE
Combination of masonry, arches and piers are the
basis of the Romanesque style. The main concept
of the building was the addition of pure geometrical
forms.
 2. BARREL VAULTS 4. GROIN VAULTS
Also called Tunnel Vaults, Barrel Vaults replace the The diagonal intersections are called groins. The
flat roofs commonly used in Roman architecture. advantage of the groin vault is that its weight and
This is the simplest vault, created by combining a thrusts are concentrated at the four corners.
series of round or Roman arches.

A Groin, or Cross vault is a combination of two

barrel vaults at intersecting angles. It provided a
The Barrel vault creates a higher ceiling, but needs more aesthetically pleasing appearance for
large supports under it, so columns are combined intersecting vaults. Notice the piers, right.
with piers.

3. PIERS SUPPORTING VAULTS FAMOUS ROMANESQUE BUILDINGS

The Pier (an upright support generally square or THE COMPANILE, PISA, ITALY (1174).
rectangular in plan) is a better solution for heavy
masonry walls than the column.
This is world famous leaning
tower, 15.8 M in diameter
rising to a height of 57 M in 8
storeys of encircling archades.
Due to the settlement of the
foundations the upper part of
the tower has leaned as much
as 4.2 M.

In the picture on the left, Piers interspaced with

columns support a Barrel Vault. On the right, THE BAPTISTERY, PISA, ITALY (1155-1278)
columns on the pier are decorative, rather than
main supports. It is the most famous group of Pisa buildings. It is
circular in Plan with a
central nave, 18.3 in
diameter. These are the
special features of Italian-
Romanesque Architecture
where Baptismal rite was
carried out thrice a year.
THE ABBEY CHURCH, CLUNY (1089-1131)
It formed one of the most
famous monastic buildings
in Burgundy, now completed
destroyed. It was the largest
church in France.