ROMANISHUQUE ARCHITECTURE

Romanesque Architecture. It displayed a combination of features from the Roman and Byzantine era. The Romanesque era which lasted from about 1000s to the 1100s, Christianity spread rapidly throughout Europe (Spain, England, Italy, France, Germany, etc.), where during this duration, a large number of churches were erected. This was brought on by the freedom of worship/religion (particularly Christianity) that was practiced at that time. Romanesque architecture was somewhat a dedication to Christianity. A city was often built around a church.

Romanesque architecture has several distinct features. Its heavy, large walls were made to support the ceilings, and the structures had a very raw, block like appearance. For example, the San Vittore alle Chiuse, Genga, in Italy. It had massive walls and only small window openings, and this is because bigger window openings will not be able to hold the thick weight of the walls. Although small window openings did allow light to enter, it was not enough, thus the development of buttresses in the next era of Gothic architecture. It can be said that Romanesque architecture is the first, the most raw-est of the series in the development of churches and such. Romanesque architecture was the starting point of Gothic Architecture.

Another distinct characteristic of Romanesque architecture is the columns used at that period. They were large and thick, just to support the weight of the ceilings. They also practiced the new use of repeating patterns of columns which has never been done previously.

The common type of structure that was built during this era were churches/ places of worship. These churches had apparent attributes which clearly showed that they were from the Romanesque era. Besides the use of repeating patterns of columns, they also used arches and openings, different types of vaults and roofs, and even followed a kind of “template” for the layout of churches. The template was in the shape of the cross and had specific functions for different areas of the church. Romanesque architecture also rehearsed symmetry, with towers on both sides of the church.

I think that Romanesque is kind of like another form of prehistoric architecture. In its very raw form, it is developed later on, in the Gothic era.