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Romanesque architecture
The Romanesque architecture, originating from the modifications of Roman architecture after the fall of the Roman Empire, features thick walls, round arches, and stone vaults, and is prominent across Europe. Characterized by dark interiors and minimal openings for safety, it employed large supports like piers and geometric forms rather than large spaces. Significant structures include the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Abbey Church of Cluny, reflecting its historical and geographical influences.
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Romanesque architecture
- 1. SUBMITTED BY :-NITIN GREWAL, SANDEEP SINGH DALAL, NAVEEN SHARMA
- 2. The termRomanesque ("Roman-like") was first used to designate a style of architecture that used Roman arches and had thick, heavy walls, based upon the basilica. The style is pervasive throughout Europe.
- 3. Geographical Conditions Dueto collapse of Roman Empire, Romanesque Architecture developed in Western Europe. This is the direct modification of Roman Architecture. This style developed in Italy, France, Germany, Central Europe, Spain and Britain.
- 4. Geological Conditions Thisstyle had its building materials like stone, brick, marble, ready made columns or other remains from ruins of roman buildings. Materials were available from Italy and France
- 5. Climatic Conditions Therewere huge variations in the climate of Italy, France and England. Climate of north being dull, large window openings were provided to allow sufficient sunlight, whereas south being hot, small windows were kept to cut off dazzling sunlight. Due to less rainfall in the south part, roofs were flat, whereas in north high pitched roofs were provided to drain out water and snow.
- 6. Historical Condition Fromthe fall of Roman Empire to the period of Charlemagne, many churches were constructed. He encouraged artists & craftsmen and restored art & civilization in west Europe. For the next two centuries, architecture made little progress with slight changes.
- 7. Romanesque churches wereheavily influenced by the Roman Basilica, but they had a few important differences. 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.
- 8. Dark Spaces Romanesquechurches 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.
- 9. 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.
- 10. Romanesque churcheshave an emphasis on horizontal lines, similar to those of Greek & Roman public buildings.
- 11. Horizontal lines Romanesque Church 1000-1200 Verticallines Gothic Church 1200-1500
- 12. Round arches Barrel Vaults Piers supporting vaults Groin vaults
- 13. Round arches aresimilar to those of the Romans.
- 14. Also calledTunnel 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.
- 15. The Barrel vaultcreates a higher ceiling, but needs large supports under it, so columns are combined with piers.
- 16. The Pier(an upright support generally square or rectangular in plan) is a better solution for heavy masonry walls than the column.
- 17. In the pictureon the left, Piers interspaced with columns support a Barrel Vault. On the right, columns on the pier are decorative, rather than main supports.
- 18. The diagonalintersections are called groins. The advantage of the groin vault is that its weight and thrusts are concentrated at the four corners.
- 19. A Groin, orCross vault is a combination of two barrel vaults at intersecting angles. It provided a more aesthetically pleasing appearance for intersecting vaults. Notice the piers, right.
- 20. The Companile, Pisa, Italy(1174). 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.
- 21. The Baptistery, Pisa, Italy(1155- 1278) 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.
- 22. The Abbey Church, Cluny (1089- 1131) Itformed one of the most famous monastic buildings in Burgundy, now completed destroyed. It was the largest church in france.