ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

❖ Evolution of religious orders in Christianity

❖ Formation of guild of arts and crafts
❖ Factors influencing Romanesque architecture
❖ Outline of architecture character in Italy, France
and England

Examples to study:
❖ Cathedral, Baptistery and leaning tower at Pisa in
Italy;
❖ Abbaye aux Hommes at Caen in France
❖ Tower of London in England
❖ Durham Cathedral in England
Romanesque Architecture
 Introduction to Romanesque Architecture

● After the decline of the Roman empire the building of

large churches in western Europe known as
“Cathedrals” started in a big way with the spread of
organized monasteries called “Orders” under the rule
of St.Benedict & others.
● 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.
● They also revived the technique of building high vaults
in masonry.
● The term Romanesque refers to the period of
European architecture that was based on
roman & byzantine art from the departure of the
romans up to the end of the 12th century when the
pointed arch came to be used.
 Introduction to Romanesque Architecture

● Various monastic orders were established such as the

Benedictine order (teachers),Augustinian order (preachers),
the Cistercian order (farmers), the Clunaic order (artists),
and the Carthusian order (ascetics).
● The monastic system developed new methods in
agriculture, science, art, letters and architecture.
● Classrooms for practical training started to happen.
● A monastery would normally comprise of the church, a
cloister court around which were built the dormitory, the
sacristy and the chapter house.
● The refectory (dining) & kitchen were located on the other
side of the cloister while the cellar was below the dormitory.
● Each country developed its own regional version of the
Romanesque style as can be seen in
The Pisa group that is representative of Italy, the Abbey aux
Hommes, Caen, representing France and the Durham
Cathedral which is an example for England.
 Romanesque Architecture

1. Romanesque is a revitalization of large-scale

architecture and sculpture because of
Pilgrimages,Marked the Advent of pilgrimage
and impact it have on the scale of Romanesque
churches and their location,growth of
architecture and urban centres
2. This style modeled around the classical Roman
precedent.
3. Churches develop their apse to accommodate
large crowds of pilgrims (larger naves, double
aisles, radiating chapels)started to have
elaborate cathedrals and buildings.
4. Church portal sculptures stress themes of the
Last Judgement and the need for salvation.
5. Manuscript painting and weaving flourish as art
forms.
 Important Elements of Romanesque
Church Architecture
● Ambulatory-major innovation for the apse
● Radiating chapels to accommodate extra people
● Decorative Portals
Nave,transept and side aisles
● Cruciform(overall shape of building)
● Crossing square
● Bays(3D modules of nave and side aisles)
● Gallery/tribune level
● Clerestory(usually small in Romanesque
churches)
● Barrel Vault (the norm for Romanesque nave)
● Groin Vault (less common,used more in side aisle)
● Cloister (element in a abbey monastic church)
 Clerstorey
Important Elements of Romanesque
Church Architecture
● Romanesque style introduced the bay.
Triforium
● Bay is the vertical section of the church often
containing arches,a triforium and a clerstorey.
● Arches on the ground floor
● Triforium with smaller arches on the first floor
● Windows in clerstorey on the second floor
● This bay structure is repeated all over the church Arcade
to create unity in the design.
 Romanesque Architecture Characteristics
● First international style since the Roman Empire
(Germany, Normandy, England, Tuscany)
● Competition for the largest church (Pisa Cathedral)
● Masonry (no concrete)
● Blocky appearance
● Walls thick and solid
● Radiating Chapels
● Small arched windows
● East end of church is the religious focal point for services
● Portals act as a "billboard" for elements of faith (The Last
Judgement)
● Cruciform plans, church as a metaphor for heaven
● Plans/elevation based on basilican forms
● Bays divide the nave into compartments
● Rounded arches are the norm
● Tripartite division of the elevation continues from earlier
periods
 Romanesque Architecture Characteristics
● Plain Exterior
● Monumental stone sculpture(carved portals)
● Buttressing
● Harmonious proportions
● Round arches supporting the roof
● Round blind arches used extensively for
decoration inside and outside
● Nave with side aisles
● Simple massing with strong geometries
● Rose window which is a circular window
represents Virgin Mary
● Multiple towers usually towards the west-end
and over the transept crossing
● Westwork-forepart of the west facing entrance
between 2 towers
● Painted decoration throughout the interior(little
of which survives today.)
CHURCH-
PARTS FROM
OUTSIDE
Italian Romanesque Architecture
Italian Romanesque Architecture

Factors influencing Architecture

• Geographical factors – Pisa became one of the major port cities in Italy along with
Venice, Ravenna and Genoa. Geographical variations in architecture are classified into
three distinct zones : 1.Central Italy, still under the influence of Rome, 2.Northern Italy in
contact with western Europe & 3.Southern Italy, open to Eastern influences.

• Geological factors – Much material was obtained from the ruins of classical buildings.
Stone was abundant in Tuscany. Marble was brought from Carera and the greek
islands. Brick and volcanic tufa (soil) were obtained from Rome & travertine from Tivoli.

• Climatic factors – Central Italy has a sunny, mediterranean climate which demanded
small windows and thick walls to keep off the heat during day time. However, northern
Italy experiences snowfall in winter, since it is nearer to the Alps and hence buildings
have larger windows & pitched roofs to keep of the snow. Southern Italy has a
subtropical climate and therefore flat roofs & open courtyards are common.
Italian Romanesque Architecture

Factors influencing Architecture

• Religious influences – During this period, the Popes, Bishops & other members of
the clergy gained power and hence religious buildings like large Cathedrals &
Monasteries were constructed. Central Italy came to be ruled by the Pope & the
religious fervor resulted in the Holy crusade wars to regain Palestine.

• Social factors – The growth of trade & commerce led to the rise of powerful
merchant families in Pisa, Venice and Genoa, who developed architecture & allied
fields such as painting and sculpture to a very high level.

• Historical factors – The people of the sea side cites had exposure to eastern art as
result of the trading activities with other countries and this Islamic influence can be
seen in the interior treatment of many cathedrals, especially in central and southern
Italy.
Pisa Cathedral
PLAN OF THE PISA CATHEDRAL SHOWING ITS VARIOUS PARTS
 Architecture Character

● The latin cross plan with the cupola or dome above the intersection and the
thick walls are a continuation of the concept of early Christian churches.
● The semi-circular arcading in the façade of the building throws shadows on the
walls giving it the requisite depth in elevations.
● The tiers of arcading up to the gable end with marble statues at the ridge & eaves is
typically Romanesque.
● Separate buildings for the church, bell tower (campanile) , baptistery & the cemetery
(campasanto) is also a development of Romanesque period.
● The bell tower took the form of a cylindrical tower with arcades in all the floors, while
the baptistery was also circular in plan with arcading all around.
 Architecture Character

● Cladding the walls with horizontal bands of colored marble, both in the exterior
& the interior is also characteristic of Italian Romanesque style.
● Other features such as the arched clerestory windows, the gilded coffered
ceiling, the pitched roof above and the apsidal end are adopted from basilican
churches. However, the upper triforium gallery for women & the apse in the transepts
are additions of this period.
● Various decorative techniques such as Mosaics, Sculpture in rectangular panels & the
panels of the bronze doors are used for figurative story telling.
● Various influences such as the moorish treatment of interior walls and arches,the
Islamic pointed arch at the base of the dome and the byzantine mosaics found in the
apse are indicative of the struggle to develop a distinctive architectural style for
christianity.
This detail of the interior of
the dome shows the
coloured mosaic of Christ,
st.Mary & st. John on either
side. Other paintings that
adorn the apse also can be
observed.
The interior view of the
nave with the apsidal
end shows the pointed
arch of islamic origin
and the roman
semicircular arcading.
The clerestory slit
windows bringing light
into the nave and the
coffered ceiling are
typical of early christian
churches.
 The oval cupola at the intersection is
a new concept and it is painted
showing the blessed virgin going to
heaven.

The gilded coffered ceiling can be seen. It displays

the Medici coat of arms.
The treatment of the double arcading in the 1st
floor can also be observed.
This inside view of entrance
shows the stout columns with
corinthian capitals supporting
the arcade.
The entrance door with pilaster
& pediment is also seen.
The treatment of the
walls with
alternating
horizontal bands of
white and black
marble is a definite
Moorish influence.
The geometrical
patterns are also
derived.
The cross vaulting
above the aisles, the
moorish treatment of
the arches & the
arched slit windows
that bring light to the
ground floor can be
seen along with
the paintings that
adorn the walls over
the entire length.
The upper gallery,
meant for women was
known as the
Triforium as it was
located on both
sides of the nave and
the two trancepts.
The tiers of arcading
resting on the many
circular columns right
up to the gable end of
the elevation is an
attempt to increase
the verticality of the
building.
This clearly shows the
massing with the
pitched roofs above
the nave & transepts,
the conical roof
above the apses and
the cupola with
arcading at the base.
The Baptistery dedicated to St.John, the
baptist was built during the mid 12th
century.
● It has a circular plan with a
circumference of 107.25m
● The architect is Deotisalvi, but the
conical top part of the dome was
completed only in the 14th century.
● The drum of the dome is
divided horizontally on to 2 parts by
the 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.
● The cross vaulting used over the ambulatory is
remarkable since it is employed over a segment
of the ring space.
● The arched slit windows bringing light to the
walkway can be seen.
● 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 Floor.
● The Ground Floor has blind arches supported by columns
having classical capitals. It has a bell in each floor of
enormous weight. The tower kept on leaning away from the
vertical axis & the Italians were worried that it would finally
collapse.
French Romanesque Architecture
French Romanesque Architecture

Factors influencing Architecture

• Geographical factors – France is centrally located between the North & South of Western
Europe with 4 rivers (Seine, Rhone) connecting the Mediterranean with the Atlantic.
Romanesque buildings differ in character in the north & south of France. The South
is remarkable for richly decorated church facades & the use of roman architectural
features. The north developed a new style by introducing 2 flanking towers in the
west facade & the rib and panel vaulting over the nave that later evolved into the
gothic vaulting.
• Geological factors – In the northern province of Normandy, fine grained Caen stone was
available and was used for all religious & secular buildings. In the south, volcanic pumice &
tufa stone which were light in weight was abundant and were used as panels in the ribbed
vaulting.
• Climatic factors – 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.
French Romanesque Architecture

Factors influencing Architecture

• Religious influences – The Cluniac order was formed in 909 AD & the Cistercian order
in 1098 AD.Religious zeal led to more people opting for monastic life & hence large
monasteries were built. Ex. Abbey aux Hommes, Caen.
• Social factors – 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 factors – King Pepin unified France & his son Charlemagne became the
Emperor.
 Architecture Character

● Romanesque architecture is characterized by its massive quality, its thick walls,

round arches,sturdy piers, groin vaults, tall towers & decorative arcading.
● Regular symmetrical plans and clearly defined forms give it an overall
appearance of simplicity.
● The walls are massive in its thickness with small openings. They are often
double shells filled with rubble. The piers that support arches are either square
or rectangular in plan and have a horizontal molding at the springing of the
arch.
● Columns were built of stone cylinders called drums. The foliated Corinthian
capital was used as it was round at the bottom where it sits on a circular
column and square at the top, where it supports the arch. Alteration of piers of
different forms is typical of the French Romanesque Style.
● Ribbed vaults were employed, where the transverse & diagonal ribs are
structural members and the spaces between them could be filled up with lighter
non structural material.
 Architecture Character

● Because the Romanesque arches are always semicircular, the structural

problem in the ribbed vault is that the diagonal span is always larger and
therefore higher than the transverse span.
● In France, the solution was to stilt the transverse ribs or depress the
diagonal ribs so that the centerline of the vault was horizontal.
● Towers are an important feature & in the French Romanesque 2 large
square towers were commonly used in abbey churches.
● The extensive sculptural scheme that adorns the entrance portal is also a
characteristic feature.
● Murals on the interior of vaults and domes are also typical of this style. The
apsidal ends have a chancel surrounded by an ambulatory.
The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen
 The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen

● The Abbey aux Hommes atCaen, also known as church

of St.Etienne stands along with the neighboring abbey
for women(Abbey aux Dames).
● The elevation has three floors with the twin towers
having octagonal spires rising above.
● The recessed entrance arch and the blind arcading on
the towers are typical Romanesque features.
● The abbey church is built of stone and has a pitched
roof above the nave vaulting.
 The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen

● The Abbey aux Dames does not have the octagonal

spires on top of the towers like the abbey aux
hommes.
● The buttresses that support the towers and the
parapet wall are distinctive features.
● Built during the 11th century the two Abbeys are
considered to be the forerunners of the Gothic style
that was to follow.
 The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen
● The central nave has sexpartite ribbed vaulting, while the aisles on both sides
have quadripartite ribbed vaulting.
● The extension of the apse into the chevet was done later and is typical of the
french romanesque style.
● The thrust of the nave vault was counteracted by a semi-barrel vault over the
triforium gallery which acted as a concealed flying buttress.
● The nave vaulting compartment was equal to 2 aisle compartments so that it was
approx. a square, in order to overcome the difference in the rise of the diagonal
ribs over the transverse ribs.
The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen
The thick walls, massive piers & the
vaulting on the nave and aisles can
be seen.
The increase height of the nave with
clerestory windows that bring in the
light are indicative of the vertical
expression and lighting scheme of
the gothic style that was to follow.

Cross section of the Abbey aux Hommes

 The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen

● 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 Rose window & arcading
in the chevet can be seen.
 The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen

● In Image 1-The ribbed

sexpartite vaulting above
the nave can be observed.
● The upper triforium gallery
was used by women.
● The massive piers &
semi-circular arcading are
typical of this style.
● In Image 2-The entrance to
the Abbey shows the walls
built of squared rubble
stone.
● The flat buttresses that
take up the thrust of the
towers can also be seen in Image 1 Image 2
elevation.
 The Abbey aux Hommes at Caen

● In Image 1- Imposing
doorways on the west
façade with sculpted
tympanum above
formed the
entrance to the Abbey
church. Here the holy
trinity is represented
within recessed arches.
● In Image2-The crossing
Image 1
between the nave &
transept is roofed with
an octagonal spire and
the articulation of parts
of the aisle into towers
with spires can be seen.

Image 2
English Romanesque Architecture
 FACTORS INFLUENCING ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE:

● Since England is geographically separated from the rest of Europe by sea, the
Romanesque style arrived here belatedly.
● 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.
● The cold and wet English climate had its effect on architecture with buildings
having high pitched roof to throw off rain and snow, larger windows to admit light
and deeper entrance porticoes to keep off the cold wind.
● Various monastic orders were established and 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.
● The Anglo-Saxon period existing from 6th to 11th century, and the Norman period of
the 12th century together define the phase of Romanesque architecture in England
 ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE CHARACTER:-

● Norman architecture is bold and massive with typical features such as

semi-circular arches, cylindrical piers and flat buttresses.
● 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 and panel vaulting of gothic period.
The Durham Cathedral
The Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is a Norman building constructed

between 1093 - 1133 in the
Romanesque style.
It was founded as a monastic cathedral built to house
the shrine of St Cuthbert,
replacing an earlier church constructed in his honour.

Architectural Features
It is important for its architectural features, specifically,
its rib vaulting(the first of its kind in England), its pointed
arches, and its high standard of masonry.
 The Durham Cathedral
● Durham Cathedral is a Norman building constructed
between 1093 - 1133 in the Romanesque style.
● It was founded as a monastic cathedral built to house
the shrine of St Cuthbert, replacing an earlier church
constructed in his honour.
● Durham is built with a three storey
elevation,comprising an arcade, gallery(triforium)and
clerestory.
● The main arches, which are supported alternately on
cylindrical (minor) and compound (major) piers, have
their soffits (under surfaces) decorated with roll
mouldings.
● The minor cylindrical piers are furnished with incised
decoration—spiral patterns, zig-zags, lozenges and
flutes.
● The gallery opens to the nave through a subdivided
arch.
● Single round headed windows provide illumination at
clerestory level
 The Durham Cathedral Architectural Detail
● The nave vault of Durham Cathedral is the • Length- 469 feet (143 m) (interior)
most significant architectural element of • Nave width- 81 feet (25 m) (inc aisles)
the • Nave height- 73 feet (22 m)
● Durham World Heritage Site because it • Choir height- 74 feet (23 m)
marks a turning point in the history of • Number of towers- 3
architecture. The pointed arch was
• Tower height- 218 feet (66 m) (central
successfully used as a structural element
tower)
for the first time here in this building.
144 feet (44 m) (western towers)
● Semi-circular arches were the type used
prior to the adoption of the structural
pointed arch — the limitations of which is
that their height must
be proportionate to their width.

The nave vault and arches of Durham

Cathedral. Pointed arches (indicated by
the grey arrow) replaced semi-circular
arches (indicated by the yellow arrow),
allowing for greater height and width.
 The Durham Cathedral
Plan of the Cathedral
● The building takes the form of a Latin cross,
Nave
centred on the four great piers of the crossing.
The choir extended four bays to the east and Choir
originally terminated with a short bay which
lead into a semicircular apse (some remains of
which were recovered in nineteenth-century
excavations).
● The aisles also terminated in apses and these
were encased with rectangular outer walls.
● The transepts, which extend north and south
for four bays,are furnished with an aisle on the
eastern side. Stair turrets project at the
north-west and south-west angles.
● The aisled nave is eight bays long, and
terminates at the west in two towers.
● Throughout the building there is an alternating
system of major and minor piers.
 The Durham Cathedral
The building does not have
● In comparison with the nave of Gloucester, which also buttresses and so appears
has heavy round columns carrying the arcades, from the outside quite boxy,
unlike later Norman cathedral.
Durham, in the manner of Speyer, introduces the idea
of attached half- columns that guide the eye to the
ceiling.
● A basic principle of Norman building was the
reduction of solid walls to thick but open skeleton of
arches.
● The arches were not just interruptions in the wall but
were defined in a regularised way, with surrounds
framed by attached half columns and horizontal
string courses.
● The decoration of the columns, with its zigzag and
chevron motifs, also made extensive use of color,
specifically black and red, which was an influence
from Islamic architecture that came to the country
through the Crusades and the Norman-Arab
connections in Sicily and northern Africa .
The Tower of London
The lay out of the tower of London
shows the outer bailey & inner
bailey with the moat on 4 sides
and river Thames abutting on one
side. The White Tower, queens
house etc are surrounded by the
inner bailey with 13 towers while the
outer bailey has 3 circular bastions
and 6 towers, of which the
St.Thomas tower serves as the
main entrance.
The White Tower is in the middle with
other buildings surrounded by the
double fortifications known as the
inner bailey and outer bailey. It also
houses the Royal palace of Her
majesty, the Queen of England.
● This lay out of 1918 AD showing the parts
of the Tower of London was started by
William after the norman conquest and
was enlarged and modified by subsequent
English monarchs.
● It served as fortress, royal residence and
prison to protect the city of London.
● The White tower is the main building
within the complex.
● It has 4 floors with tower at the corners
rising to about 92 ft. in height.
● It also displays the characteristic
Romanesque features such as thick walls,
semi-circular arched windows etc.
The white tower, known as the Royal keep is
rectangular in plan with a corridor running
all around the building with 2 square towers
and a circular one at the corners housing
spiral staircases.
• It has got a chapel measuring 32 ft. in width
with the apsidal end projecting out.
• It also has banqueting hall of 39’X94’ size &
the presence chamber on the 3rd floor,
while the lower floors accommodate the royal
quarters.
• Both halls have 2 rows of circular column
supporting vaults with trusses supporting
pitched roofs on top.
•The white tower was modified by many kings
and displays the flat buttresses,semicircular
windows and battlemented parapet walls that
are characteristic of the Norman style.
• The treatment of the corner towers with a cupola as
the roof is also typical.
• The windows are emphasized by the use of a light
colored stone with keystone and sill projections.
• Rusticated quoins are used in the buttresses & corners
of the building.
•The rib and panel vaulting can be observed on the roof
of the Byward tower and even in the gateway of the
Bloody tower.
•The semi-circular arches & circular columns in the
interior of the St.John’s chapel are typical of the
Norman period.
•However the pointed arches of the Byward tower are a
product of the Gothic period,
while the Tudor arch of the Bloody tower is of a later
date.
The details of the inner fort wall with battlemented parapets and small openings for defense purposes.
There is a lawn area in between the outer and inner fort walls.(In Image 2)

(In Image 2)
The present entry
point is located at
the Middle tower,
which connects by
a bridge across the
The White tower and the St.Thomas Tower from moat to the Byward
across the river Thames. tower that serves as
the actual entry.