03 Early Christian - Romanesque

Early Christian Romanesque Architecture
HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF ARCHITECTURE
Egyptian Byzantine
Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian Romanesque Gothic Renaissance 18th-19th C: 20th C:
Revival Modern
Near East Islamic

Egyptian
Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian
Near East
EARLY CHRISTIAN
EARLY CHRISTIAN: GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE
Christianity had its
birth in Judea,
Eastern provinces of
the Roman Empire.
Early Christian
Architecture was
influenced by the
existing Roman art
EARLY CHRISTIAN: GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
Ruins of the Roman
buildings provided quarry
where materials were
obtained
Influenced the style for

construction, decoration for
columns & other architectural
features as well as fine
sculpture and mosaic from
older building which were
turned into Basilican churches
of the new faith
EARLY CHRISTIAN: CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
The climatic conditions of Roman provinces as Egypt, Syria,
and North Africa where Christianity was established were more
or less varied, and naturally modified the style in those
countries where the fiercer sun and hotter climate necessitated
small windows and other Eastern features.
EARLY CHRISTIAN: RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Christianity spread out rapidly and
was an important factor in the
development of early Christian
architecture & inspired the
building of some of the greatest
architectural monuments
Constantine & Licinus issued their
celebrated edict of Milan giving
Christianity equal rights with
other religions & Constantine
made it the official religion
EARLY CHRISTIAN: SOCIAL-POLITICAL
INFLUENCE
Constantine was the prime character but was not proclaimed
Emperor; he removed his empire from Rome to Byzantium
and developed a new style of Architecture
EARLY CHRISTIAN: HISTORICAL INFLUENCE
The final phase of Roman Architecture from 4th to 6th Century,
primarily in church building
EARLY CHRISTIAN: ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER
Early Christian Architecture is basically Roman in character
but executed it through:
a) SIMPLICITY IN DESIGN
b) COARSENESS IN EXECUTION
impressive and dignified

FEATURES
contributed in the
development of ribbed
vaulting & arcades &
timber trussed roof
used bell tower or
campanile in their
exterior
usually with 3-5 aisles
covered by a simple
trussed roof.
FEATURES
contributed in the
development of ribbed
vaulting & arcades & timber
trussed roof
used bell tower or
campanile in their exterior
usually with 3-5 aisles
covered by a simple trussed
roof.
FEATURES
either closely spaced columns carrying
the entablature (trabeated) or more
widely spaced columns carrying semi-
circular arches known as archivolt.
Uses long rows of off-repeated
columns from entry to sanctuary for a
long Church appearance.
An arch of triumph (transaction thru
death to life eternal) gave entrance to
Sanctuary with the high altar at the
corner
EARLY CHRISTIAN: EXAMPLES
1.) BASILICAN CHURCHES
Roman basilicas as models
Usually erected over the burial
place of the saint to whom it was
dedicated
Unlike Greek and Roman temples
which sheltered gods, the purpose
of the Christian church was to
shelter worshippers
Came in a complex, with cathedral, belfry or campanile,
and baptistery
Fine sculptures and mosaics worked into new basilicas
Paid little regard to external architectural effect
Entrance at west
Priest stood behind altar, facing east
ATRIUM or open forecourt surrounded by arcades
NARTHEX, covered area for penitents
NAVE, lighted by a clerestory of small windows
3 or 5 AISLES, side aisles half-width of nave
separate galleries for women on opposite sides of the nave
"arch of triumph" symbolizing
transition through death into eternal
life
altar under BALDACHINO
APSE (sanctuary) lined with marble
slabs
BEMA, raised stage for clergy
choir, enclosed by CANCELLI or low
screen walls
AMBO, pulpit on either side of choir, from
which the gospel and epistle was read
Old St. Peters Basilica

erected by Constantine near the
site of the marytrdom of St. Peter
in the circus of Nero
1.) BASILICAN
CHURCHES
Basilica of
Constantine, Germany
Aula Palatina
contains the largest
extant hall from
antiquity
World Heritage Site
1.) BASILICAN
CHURCHES
Basilica of Constantine,
Germany
1.) BASILICAN
CHURCHES
St. Paolo Fouri Le Mura,

Rome
- largest & most
impressive among all
basilican churches
1.) BASILICAN
CHURCHES
St. Paolo Fouri Le

Mura, Rome
Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

Built by Pope Sixtus III
Only church where there is
evidence that it was originally a
pagan basilica
One of the most typical basilican
churches
2.) BAPTISTERY
Used only for sacrament of
baptism, on festivals of Easter,
Pentecost and Epiphany
Large separate building from
church, sometimes adjoined
atrium
2.) BAPTISTERY
The Baptistery of Constantine,

Rome
by Sixtus III, dedicated to
Constantine
oldest among the Italian
Baptisteries
3.) TOMBS & CATACOMBS
Christians objected to cremation,
insisted on burial on consecrated
ground
Land for burials had become
scarce and expensive
Monumental tombs became
expressions of faith in immortality
Tomb of Galla Placida,

Ravenna
Cemeteries or catacombs were
excavated below ground
Several stories extending
downwards
Usually domed and enriched with
lavish mosaic decorations
Walls and ceilings were lavishly
decorated with paintings mixing
pagan symbolism with scenes
from the bible
Catacomb of Domitilla
oldest
one of the two largest of
Romes 40 or so secret
underground Christian
burial networks.
The Crypt of the Popes

(Catacombs of St. Callixtus,
Rome)
most important and venerated
crypt of the cemetery, called "the
little Vatican" as it was the official
burial place of nine popes and,
probably, of eight dignitaries of
Rome's 3rd century Church
EARLY CHRISTIAN: TERMINOLOGY
AMBULATORY a passageway ORATORY a small private chapel
around the apse of church furnished w/ an altar and a crucifix
ANTEPODIUM a seat behind the REREDOS an ornamental screen or
choir reserved for the clergy
wall at the back of an altar
BEMA a stage reserved for the
clergy TRANSEPT the portion of a church
crossing the main axis at the right
CHEVET the apse, ambulatory, & angle & forming a cruciform plan
radiating terminal of a church
CLERESTOREY an upper stage in
TRIBUNE a slightly elevated
the church w/ windows above the platform or dais for the speaker
adjacent roof TRIFORIUM roof over the aisles
CLERGY priest with the religious below the clerestorey
elders
SEPULCHER a tomb or a
DAIS a raised platform reserved receptacles for relics especially in a
for the seating of speakers or Christian altar
dignitaries
Egyptian Byzantine
Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian
Near East
BYZANTINE
BYZANTINE: GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE
Byzantium, renamed Constantinople after its Imperial
founder, and also called New Rome, now as
Istanbul
Has a commanding and central position for the
government of the expanding Roman Empire.
at the intersection of two great highways of
commerce: the water highway between the Black Sea
and Mediterranean, and the trade route between
Europe and Asia
BYZANTINE: GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
no good building stone
local materials such as clay for bricks and rubble
for concrete were employed
Other materials more monumental in character had
to be imported
BYZANTINE: CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
Semi tropical climate: flat roofs used & combined
w/ oriental domes, with small windows often high
up in unbroken walls, sheltering arcades
surrounded the open courts
Adapted old methods of building to the climate of
new capital
BYZANTINE: RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Christianity was established as the state religion of
the Roman Empire - chief buildings erected in
Byzantium, were churches: basilican Early Christian
type of church was merged in the domical
Byzantine type
BYZANTINE: RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Political Division between
East and West, followed by
the division of Churches,
due to ICONOCLASTIC
MOVEMENT (decree to
ban the use of statues as
means of representations
either of human or animal
forms) & this made painting
figures in decoration a
substitute.
BYZANTINE: SOCIAL-POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Ways of life and corrupt conditions contributed
greatly to the fall of Roman Empire.
Prominent Figures considered movers of this

Architecture:
THEODOSIUS II - built several military gates and towers
(defense against the Goths & Huns)
JUSTINIAN - responsible for rebuilding of St. Sophia Divine
Wisdom which now turned to a Moslem Mosque.
BYZANTINE: SOCIAL-POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Simplicity in external design w/c resulted in the use
of clay & rubble.
Richness in internal treatment importing marble
BYZANTINE: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Fusion of domical
construction with
classical columnar style
Domes of various types
placed over square
compartments using
pendentives
3 types of dome:
SIMPLE DOME dome &
pendentives were part of
the same sphere.
COMPOUND DOME
dome is not a part but
rises independently above
them.
MELON-SHAPED DOME/
ONION OR BULBOUS
consist of curved flutings
which avoided the
necessity of pendentives
Semi-circular arches
rest directly on
columns, with
capitals able to
support springing of
arches
Plans for churches &
baptisteries; rounded
arches, elaborated
columns & colours
Features the grouping
of small domes or
semi-domes around a
large central dome
Extensive use of
mosaic decoration
BYZANTINE: EXAMPLES
S. Sophia, Constantinople
Hagia Sophia "divine wisdom
built by Emperor Justinian
designed by Anthemius of
Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus
Perfection of Byzantine style
a former Greek Orthodox
patriarchal basilica, later an
imperial mosque, and now a
museum in Istanbul, Turkey
BYZANTINE: EXAMPLES
S. Sophia, Constantinople
BYZANTINE: EXAMPLES
S. Mark, Venice
An exterior quality all its own:
blending of features from many
foreign lands
Glittering, resplendent faade
Exterior enriched by fine
entrance portals, mosaic and
marble decorations
reflects the art of Byzantium
which so largely influenced the
architecture of Venice
BYZANTINE: EXAMPLES
S. Mark, Venice
lies at the eastern end of the
Piazza San Marco, adjacent and
connected to the Doge's Palace
For its opulent design, gold
ground mosaics, and its status
as a symbol of Venetian wealth
and power, from the 11th
century on the building has
been known by the nickname
Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).
BYZANTINE: EXAMPLES
S. Theodore, Constantinople
a perfect specimen of a miniature
Byzantine church, although now a
mosque
BYZANTINE: EXAMPLES
The Little Metropole
Cathedral, Athens
the smallest building in the
world dignified by the name
of cathedral, (only 38 ft. by
about 25 ft.) and the dome,
supported on a high
octagonal drum (only 9 ft. in
diameter)
Egyptian Byzantine
Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian Romanesque
Near East
ROMANESQUE
ROMANESQUE: GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE
On the decline of the Roman Empire, the Romanesque
style grew up in those countries of Western Europe
which had been under the rule of Rome, and
geographical position determined many of the
peculiarities of the style in each country.
combination of Roman & Byzantine Architecture
basically roman in style
ROMANESQUE: GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
The use of local materials, whether stone or brick,
marble or terra-cotta, as well as of ready-made
columns and other features from old Roman buildings
ROMANESQUE: CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
Northern Portion: Dull climate contributed to the use of:
Large windows to admit light
High pitch roof to throw off rain & snow
Southern Portion:
Small windows to minimize sun shading
Flat roof
ROMANESQUE: RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Christianity, the chief source of education and culture
and the erection of a church often resulted in the
foundation of a city ; for the Papacy had been rising to
great power and influence
Monastic Orders: promoted new methods in
agriculture, and exercised its influence on
architecture; science letters, art, and culture were the
monopoly of the religious Orders. The schools
attached to monasteries trained youths for the service
of religion; monks and their pupils were often the
designers of cathedrals, and architecture was almost
regarded as a sacred science
CHIEF MONASTIC ORDERS:
The Benedictine Order
The Cluniac Order
The Cistercian Order
The Augustinian Order
The Premonstratensian Order
The Carthusian Order
The Military Orders: Knights Templars and Knights Hospitallers
The Friars
The Jesuits
ROMANESQUE: SOCIAL-POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Establishment of Feudal System: Landlord build
castle to separate them & protect them from the
peasants. These castle was made with man made
canals.
Feudalism: a military and political system based on

personal loyalty (vassal and lieges)
ROMANESQUE: HISTORICAL INFLUENCE
Roman Empire in the West had already come to an end
in A.D. 475. The election of the first Frankish King
Charlemagne (A.D. 799) as Holy Roman Emperor
marks the beginning of a new era
next two hundred years little progress was made, and
it has been suggested that this was owing to a popular
superstition that the millennium would bring the end
of the world
ROMANESQUE: ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
SOBER & DIGNIFIED - Opposite of Roman
character
ROMANESQUE: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Rib & Panel Vaulting -
framework of ribs support
thin stone panels
Use of Massive wall
structures , Round Arches &
Powerful Vaults
Latin Cross Plan in churches
Use of Corbelled Arches
found underneath the eaves
of a church
ROMANESQUE: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
Two Types of Vaulting -
supported by tiers
2. Sexpartite (six part
1. Quadripartite (four
part vaulting) vaulting)
ROMANESQUE: EXAMPLES
1.) CATHEDRALS
Mostly Basilican in plan
2.) BAPTISTERIES
Large, separate buildings usually octagonal in plan and
connected to the cathedral by the atrium
Used 3 times a year: Easter, Pentecost, Epiphany
3.) CAMPANILES
Straight towers shafts, generally standing alone
Served as civic monuments, symbols of power, watch towers
4.) CASTLES
5.) FORTIFICATIONS & TOWN WALLS
6.) MONASTIC BUILDINGS
PISA CATHEDRAL
The building depends
for its artistic effect
upon the beauty and
interest of its
ornamental features
rather than the promise
of logical development
into a new style which a
northern example
possesses
PISA CATHEDRAL
The building depends
for its artistic effect
upon the beauty and
interest of its
ornamental features
rather than the promise
of logical development
into a new style which a
northern example
possesses
PISA CATHEDRAL
BAPTISTERY
designed by Dioti Salvi
39.3 m circular plan in diameter
Built of marble
largest Baptistery in Italy
The lower part is 12th century
Romanesque (with round
arches) and the upper parts are
predominantly 13th century
Gothic (with pointed arches)
BAPTISTERY
dome is covered in red tiles on
the west side and in lead slabs
on the east side
BAPTISTERY
Inside it is rather sombre and
plain
attractive stained glass and a
magnificent pulpit carved by
Nicola Pisano
renowned for its perfect
acoustics
BAPTISTERY
CAMPANILE
a circular structure 52 feet in
diameter
ornamented with eight stories of
arcades
During its erection the
foundations gave way, thus
causing the tower to lean about
11 feet from the vertical
Architect: Bonanno Pisano
CAMPANILE
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
Britain's largest monastic ruin and
most complete Cistercian abbey is
a World Heritage site
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey,
Yorkshire
The oldest part is
everything west of
the transept,
including the long
nave with large
cylindrical pillars
and round
Romanesque arches.
Fortifications &
Townhalls
All over Europe - 1500
castles in England in 11th
and 12th centuries
Began as motte and bailey
earthworks
Later became citadels with
stone curtain walls
Fortifications & Townhalls
SPAIN
Use of both Basilican and
Greek-cross forms
Use of horseshoe arch
Santiago de Compostela
Finest achievement of
Romanesque in Spain
CENTRAL EUROPE
Worms Cathedral
Eastern and western apses
and octagons
2 circular towers flank each
Octagon at crossing, with
pointed roof
CENTRAL EUROPE
Worms Cathedral
ENGLAND
Durham Cathedral
Rib and panel vaulting
with pointed arches
ENGLAND
Durham Cathedral
Rib and panel vaulting
with pointed arches
FRANCE
Remains of old buildings were less abundant they
had greater freedom of developing new style
Rib-vaults and semi-circular or pointed arches over
the nave and aisles
Timber-framed roofs of slate finish and steep slope to
throw off snow
FRANCE
S. Madeleine,
Vezelay
Earliest pointed
cross-vault in
France
FRANCE
Abbey of St. Denis, near Paris

Among the first instances of using
the pointed arch
Ribbed vault, pointed arch and
flying buttresses successfully
combined
FRANCE
Abbey of St.
Denis, near Paris
ROMANESQUE: TERMINOLOGY
Motte a steep mound of earth surrounded by a ditch and
surmounted by a timber stockade and tower
Motte and Bailey a Norman castle of the 10th to 12th centuries,
consisting of a motte placed within a bailey
Bailey the outer wall of a castle or the courtyard enclosed by it
Palisade a fence of pales set firmly in the ground for enclosure or
defense
Pale a pointed stick of stake
Fortification a defensive military work constructed for the
purpose of strengthening a position
Bastion a projecting part of a rampart or other fortification,
typically forming an irregular pentagon attached at the base to the
main work
Sally port a gateway in a fortification permitting a large number
of troops to move rapidly from the besieged position and attack the
besieges
Parapet a defensive wall or elevation of earth or stone protecting
soldiers from enemy fire
Castle a fortified group of buildings usually dominating the
surrounding country and held by a prince or noble in feudal times
Citadel a fortress in a commanding position in or near a city, used
in the control of the inhabitants and in defense during attack or
siege
Keep the innermost and strongest structure or tower of a
medieval castle, used as a place of residence, especially in times of
siege. Also called donjon
Battlement - a parapet having a regular alternation of
merlons and crenels, originally for defense but later used as
a decorative motif. Also called embattlement
Merlon one of the solid parts between the crenels of a
battlement
Crenel any of the open spaces alternating with the merlons
of a battlement
Embrasure an opening, loophole or crenel, through which
missiles may be discharged
Drawbridge - a bridge that can be raised, let down, or drawn
aside to prevent access or to permit passage beneath it
Moat a broad deep ditch, usually filled with water, surrounding
the rampart of a fortified town, fortress or castle as protection
against assault
Turret a small tower forming part of a larger structure, frequently
beginning some distance above the ground. Also called tourelle
Church - a building for public Christian worship
Bema a transverse open space separating the nave and the apse
of an early Christian church, later developing into the transept of
later cruciform churches
Nave the principal or central part of a church, extending from the
narthex to the choir or chancel and usually flanked by aisles
Narthex the portico before the nave of an early Christian or
Byzantine church, appropriated for penitents
Baptistery a part of a church or a separate building in which
baptism is administered
Font a basin, usually of stone, holding the water used in
baptism
Campanile a bell tower, usually one near but not attached to
the body of a church
Wheel window a rose window having distinctly radiating
mullions or bars
Tympanum the space between an arch and the horizontal
head of a door or window below, often decorated with
sculpture
Chevet the rounded east end of a Gothic cathedral,
including the apse and ambulatory
Apse a semi-circular of polygonal projection of a building,
usually vaulted and used especially at the sanctuary or east
end of a church
Cathedral the principal church of a diocese, containing the
bishops throne called the cathedra

03 Early Christian - Romanesque

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03 Early Christian - Romanesque

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Early Christian Romanesque Architecture

HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF ARCHITECTURE

Near East Islamic

Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian

Influenced the style for

impressive and dignified

Old St. Peters Basilica

St. Paolo Fouri Le Mura,

St. Paolo Fouri Le

Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

The Baptistery of Constantine,

Tomb of Galla Placida,

The Crypt of the Popes

Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian

Prominent Figures considered movers of this

Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian Romanesque

Feudalism: a military and political system based on

Abbey of St. Denis, near Paris

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