ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

The term "Romanesque" means “like Roman”. It refers to the architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries in medieval Europe to
Roman Architecture, based on similarities of forms and materials.

Romanesque style is characterized by:

GENERAL APPEARANCE: ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS:

• Dark, solemn spaces • Round arches

• Exterior is simple, severe • Barrel Vaults
• Modest Height • Piers supporting vaults
• Horizontal lines • Groin vaults
• Multiple Units
EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

ROMANESQUE
 B.

ARCHETYPES IN (ROMANESQUE):

Architectural styles– Owen Hopkins

Classical Early Christian Gothic Renaissance Baroque & Rococo Neo Classicism Eclecticism Modernism After Modernism
 B.

ARCHETYPES IN
(ROMANSQUE):

Architectural styles– Owen Hopkins

Classical Early Christian Gothic Renaissance Baroque & Rococo Neo Classicism Eclecticism Modernism After Modernism
Timeline:

• AD 800 – Domes become popular

and major features in Byzantine
architecture in Italy.
• Mid-9th century – The Romanesque
style emerges from the Byzantine,
built with mainly round arches and
based on the simple plans of Roman
basilicas. They had simple interiors
and examples include Modena
Cathedral.
• For the first time since the fall of
Rome, the West was aesthetically
unified.
• The heart of the Romanesque period
(and the subsequent Gothic period)
was France.
• The Romanesque and Gothic periods
comprise the great age of
cathedrals
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline
_of_Italian_architecture
Historical Background

• 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.

• 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 Pisa that is
representative of Italy, the Abbey aux hommes, Caen, representing France and the Durham Cathedral which is
an example for England.
Social Characteristics
& Beliefs:
• 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.

• Capturing the aspirations of a new age,

Romanesque art and architecture started a
revolution in building, architectural
decoration, and visual storytelling.

• 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

https://m.theartstory.org/movement/romanesque-art/ A Romansque style painting - CHRIST PANTOCRATOR by Sant Climent de Taüll , 1123 BC
 Architectural
characteristics:
• With the use of rounded arches, massive walls, • Several geometric forms make up the building, rather than one shape. This changes
piers, and barrel and rib vaults, the in the Gothic era to one large cross shape
Romanesque period saw a revival of large-scale
architecture that was almost fortress-like in
appearance in addition to a new interest in
expressive human forms. With the Roman
Church as the main patron, Romanesque
metalwork, stonework, and illuminated
manuscripts spread across Europe, from the
Mediterranean to Scandinavia, creating an
international style that was adapted to regional
needs and influences.

• Romanesque art and architecture innovatively

combined Classical influences, seen in the
Roman ruins scattered throughout the European
countryside and in Byzantine illuminated
manuscripts and mosaics, with the decorative
and more abstract styles of earlier Northern
tribes to create the foundation of Western
Christian architecture for centuries to come.
 Architectural
characteristics:
• The Roman basilica, the building in which
judicial, commercial, and governmental
activities took place, became the primary
architectural model for Christian churches in
the early Middle Ages.

• Medieval Italian churches generally imitated its

basic design. Such buildings usually contained a
center nave with colonnades along an aisle at
each side and an apse at one end: on this raised
platform sat the bishop and priests.

• Romanesque was the first style since the end of

Roman Imperial architecture (300 CE) to be built
in all of Europe. Its examples are found in every
part of the continent.
Romanesque Architecture

alternation of supports: A system of supports for an arcade or colonnade in which there

are two different types of support. The alternation may be quite obvious, between one
pier (strong support) and one column (weak support), or it may exist only in slight
differences, such as in the shafting on each pier.
Romanesque Architecture

HISTORIATED OR FIGURED CAPITAL: A capital

which is decorated with figures of animals,
birds, or humans, used either alone or
combined with foliage. The figures need not
have any meaning, although they may be
symbolic or part of a narrative sequence.
APPLIED OR ENGAGED COLUMN: A Historiated capitals were most commonly used
column which is attached to the wall in the Romanesque from the late eleventh to
so that only half of the form projects mid-twelfth centuries.
from the wall.
 Romanesque Architecture

pier: An upright support, generally square, pilaster: A true pilaster is a rectangular

rectangular, or composite. In medieval element of vertical masonry which
architecture there are massive circular projects only slightly from the wall and
supports called drum piers. has both a capital and a base.
 Romanesque Architecture

composite pier A type of pier

that is composed not of a single
member but has shafts, half-
columns, or pilaster strips drum pier: A massive
attached to it. cylindrical support..
 Romanesque Architecture

confessio: A type of crypt which consists of a

hall crypt : A crypt in the form of a large series of linked passages. The most famous
space of uniform height, subdivided by confessio crypt during the Middle Ages was
columns that of Old Saint Peter's church in Rome, which
contained the tomb of Saint Peter
 Romanesque Architecture

coffer: The sunken area created between

the crossing of structural members. Coffers
crypt: An underground chamber for relics
are most often found on a flat ceiling or on
or tombs
the interior surface of a dome. They are
often the focus of decoration and serve
also to lighten the weight of the structure.
 Romanesque Architecture
ARCH: A curved structural member spanning an opening or recess. The wedge shaped elements
that make up an arch keep one another in place and transform the vertical pressure of the
structure above into lateral pressure.

ogee or ogive : An arch with a

horseshoe arch: a curved arch pointed apex, formed by the
depressed arch: A flattened arch, slightly often used in Spanish medieval intersection of two S curves usually
pointed on top. It appears in Late Gothic architecture. Its maximum width is confined to decoration and not used
of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. greater than the distance between in arcade arches. Ogee arches were
its two side supports. used only in the late Gothic period.
 Romanesque Architecture

jamb figures : Statues carved on the jambs of a

intersecting arches : arches which doorway or window. Jamb statues were often
cross over each other in an arcade human figures- either religious figures or
secular or ecclesiastical leaders.
 Romanesque Architecture

Tympanum : (plural, tympana): The basically semicircular area enclosed by the arch
above the lintel of an arched entranceway. This area is often decorated with sculpture
in the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

drum: A cylindrical wall which

supports a dome.
 Romanesque Architecture

lantern a small circular or polygonal

loggia: An exterior gallery, open on structure, with windows all around the
one or more sides, with a colonnade base, which opens above a larger tower
or an arcade. or dome.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-1092):
• The entrance to Pisa Cathedral, made of light-colored local stone, has three symmetrically arranged portals, the center portal being
the largest, with four blind arcades echoing their effect. The round arches above the portal and the arcades create a unifying effect, as
do the columns that frame each entrance. Cladding the walls with horizontal bands of colored marble, both in the exterior & the
interior is also characteristic of Italian Romanesque style.
• It had pitched roofs above the nave & transepts, the conical roof above the apses and the cupola with arcading at the base.
• The building is an example of what has been called Pisa Romanesque, as it synthesizes elements of Lombard Romanesque, Byzantine,
and Islamic architecture.
• The name of two architects, Buscheto, and Rainaldo, were inscribed in the church. Buscheto was the initial designer of the square that,
along with the Cathedral, included the famous leaning Tower of Pisa, done in the same Romanesque style, visible here in the
background, and the Baptistery. Following his death, Rainaldo expanded the cathedral in the 1100’s.

https://m.theartstory.org/movement/romanesque-art/artworks/
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-1092):
• The interior view of the nave with the apsidal end shows the pointed arch of Islamic origin and the roman semi circular arcading. The
clear storey slit windows bringing light into the nave & the coffered ceiling are typical of early Christian churches.n The interior view of
the Apse shows the mosaic of Christ on the semi dome, in Byzantine style. The altar located in front of the apse is lit by a slit window.
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 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.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-
1092):
• The Latin cross plan with the cupola or dome above Various influences such as the Moorish treatment of interior walls and
the intersection and the thick walls are a continuation arches, the Islamic pointed arch at the base of the dome and the
of the concept of early Christian churches. The semi byzantine mosaics found in the apse are indicative of the struggle to
circular arcading in the façade of the building throws develop a distinctive architectural style for Christianity.
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.
• Other features such as the arched clear storey
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.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-
1092):
• 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.
• 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 I Deotisalvi, but the
conical top part of the dome was completed
only in the 14th century. The drum of the dome
is divided horizontally onto 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 interior has a concentric row of columns
& piers and doesn’t have any decoration
except for the horizontal rows of colored
marble cladding.
Duomo di Pisa(AD 1063-
1092):
• 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 GF & decrease to 2.5m
in third 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:
• France is centrally located between the North &
South of Western Europe connecting the
Mediterranean with the Atlantic. Romanesque
buildings differ in character in the north & south
of France.

• 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.

• Romanesque architecture is characterized by

its massive quality, its thick walls, round
arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, tall towers &
decorative arcading. Regular symmetrical plans
& clearly defined forms give it an overall
appearance of simplicity.
Souillac,_Abbaye_Sainte-Marie-, Lot, France
 French Romanesque
architecture:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 & square at the top, where it
supports the arch. Alteration of piers of
different forms is typical of the French
Romanesque style. http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/romanesque/french.html
 French Romanesque
architecture:
• 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.
• Because the Romanesque arches are always
semicircular, the structural problem in the
ribbed vault is that the diagonal span is always
larger & therefore higher than the transverse
span.
• In France, the solution was to stilt the
transverse ribs or depress the diagonal ribs so
that the center line 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.
http://www.victorianweb.org/art/architecture/romanesque/french.html
Abbey aux Hommes, Caen
(AD 1063):
• This cathedral is situated in the French city of
Caen, Normandy, dedicated to Saint Stephen. It
was founded in 1063 AD by William the Conqueror
and is one of the most important Romanesque
buildings in Normandy.
• The abbey is also known as church of St. Etienne.
It stands along with the neighboring abbey for
women. 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. Built during
the 11th century the two abbeys are considered to
be the forerunners of the Gothic style that was to
follow.
• 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. http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/image/france/france-a-to-c/caen/df080cae.jpg
Abbey aux Hommes,
Caen (AD 1063):
• An important feature added to both churches
in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for
the first time in France. The two abbey
churches are considered forerunners of the
Gothic.

• The original Romanesque apse was replaced

in 1166 by an early Gothic chevet, complete
with rose windows and flying buttresses. Nine
towers and spires were added in the 13th
century.

• The interior vaulting shows a similar

progression, beginning with early sexpartite
vaulting (using circular ribs) in the nave and
progressing to quadripartite vaults (using
pointed ribs) in the sanctuary.

• The buttresses that support the towers and

the parapet wall are distinctive features.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chevet_abbHommes.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_Saint-%C3%89tienne,_Caen
Abbey aux Hommes, Caen (AD
1063):
• 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 & 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 I the rise of the diagonal ribs over the
transverse ribs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chevet_abbHommes.JPG https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_Saint-%C3%89tienne,_Caen
Abbey aux Hommes,
Caen (AD 1063):

• The difference in the rise between the diagonal ribs & the transverse ribs is solved by adopting an elliptical arch for diagonal ribs, as
shown on the left & by having the transverse ribs stilted so that it is equal height to the semi-circular diagonal rib, as shown on the
right. The increase height of the nave with clear triforium storey windows that bring in the light are indicative of the vertical expression
and lighting scheme of the gothic style that was to follow

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_Saint-%C3%89tienne,_Caen
Abbey aux Hommes,
Caen (AD 1063):
• The interior elevation of the nave bays show the
string courses at the springing the arches. The
elliptical rib over the diagonals of the compartment
can be seen so that it rises to equal height of the
semi-circular arch over the other sides.
• The crossing 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.
• Imposing doorways on the west facade with
sculptured tympanum above formed the entrance to
the Abbey church. Here the holy trinity is
represented within recessed arches.
 English Romanesque
architecture:
• This style was also known as the “Norman” style https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peterborough_Cathedral_from_the_South_East_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_13618.jpg

in England. Before the 10th century, most

English buildings were wood; stone buildings
were small and roughly constructed. The
Norman Romanesque style replaced the Saxon
style in England after the Norman Conquest in
1066, and from about 1120 to 1200, builders
erected monumental Norman structures,
including numerous churches and cathedrals.

• 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.

• Various monastic orders were established

towns grew up around abbeys and castles,
which subsequently became trading center that
laid the foundations of local government.
https://www.slideserve.com/imaran/romanesque
 White tower,
London (AD 1110):
• This aerial view of the tower of
London shows the white tower in
the middle with other buildings
surrounded by the double
fortifications known as the inner
bailey & outer bailey. It also
houses the Royal palace of Her
majesty, the Queen of England.

• Tower of London was started by

William after the Norman
conquest & was enlarged and
modified by subsequent English
monarchs. It served as fortress,
royal residence & prison to
protect the city of London.
 White tower,
London (AD 1110):
• 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.

• Both halls have 2 rows of circular

column supporting vaults with
trusses supporting pitched roofs
on top. The windows are
emphasized by the use of a light
colored stone with key stone & sill
projections.

• 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.
 White tower,
London (AD 1110):
• The semi-circular projection in the
south-east corner to accommodate St
John's Chapel is almost unparalleled in
castle architecture.

• The semi-circular arches & circular

columns in the interior of this chapel are
typical of the Norman period.

• St John's Chapel was not part of the

White Tower's original design, as the
apsidal projection was built after the
basement walls.

• The inner fort wall with battlemented

parapets and small openings for defense
purposes. There is a lawn area in
between the outer & inner fort walls.
Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• DARK, SOLEMN SPACES:

• The solution was thicker walls and piers, rather

than columns alone, to support the 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.

• Romanesque churches and castles were dark, with

few openings. Wars and invasions were
commonplace, so windows and doors were kept to a
minimum.
• The new concept of stone vaulting required stronger
walls for support. Because of the lack of knowledge
of the building statics, it was necessary to build
strong, thick walls with narrow openings.
Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• EXTERIOR IS SIMPLE, SEVERE:

• Romanesque churches were heavily influenced by

the Roman Basilica, but they had a few important
differences. The roof was made of stone vaults,
which were much heavier an needed more supports.

• A combination of masonry, arches and piers are the

basis of the Romanesque style. The main concept for
buildings was the addition of pure geometrical
forms.

• With stone and masonry buildings, buildings were

safe from fire and invaders, but required large
supports for the weight of walls and vaults.
 Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• MODEST HEIGHT,
HORIZONTAL LINES:

• Romanesque churches
have an emphasis on
horizontal lines, similar
to those of Greek &
Roman public buildings.
Romanesque Architecture-
General Appearance:
• MULTIPLE UNITS:

• Several geometric
forms make up the
building, rather than
one shape. This
changes in the Gothic
era to one large cross
shape.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• ROUND ARCHES:

• Round arches are similar to those in Roman

architecture.
• The piers between the arches give make it
more unique.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• BARREL VAULTS:

• Also called Tunnel Vaults, Barrel Vaults

replace the flat roofs commonly, used in
Roman architecture. This is the simplest
vault, created by combining a series of round
or Roman arches.

• The Barrel vault creates a higher ceiling, but

needs large supports under it, so columns are
combined with piers.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• PIERS SUPPORTING VAULTS:

• The Pier (an upright support generally square

or rectangular in plan) is a better solution for
heavy masonry walls than the column.
• Piers interspaced with columns support a
Barrel Vault. Columns on the pier are
decorative, more than main supports.
Romanesque Architecture-
Architectural elements:
• GROIN VAULTS:

• The diagonal intersections are called groins.

The advantage of the groin vault is that its
weight and thrusts are concentrated at the
four corners.
• A Groin, or Cross vault is a combination of
two barrel vaults at intersecting angles. It
provided a more aesthetically pleasing
appearance for intersecting vaults.