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ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE: Design, Brief history, recent revival in America
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Introduction Unlike most of the ancient Christian architecture and much of any aspect of human life, Romanesque architecture was initiated by the citizenry instead of the leading elite. It was a grassroots down-top development. It gets its name from the Roman from whose architectural elements it i...

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  • May 26, 2021
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ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE

Introduction

Unlike most of the ancient Christian architecture and much of any aspect of human life,
Romanesque architecture was initiated by the citizenry instead of the leading elite. It was a
grassroots down-top development. It gets its name from the Roman from whose architectural
elements it is based and began in the final years of the dark ages soon after the fall of Rome and
the crowning of Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Empire. Although this initial development in
construction and creative designing in the area of architecture was short lived the pre-
Romanesque period had set the stage for the architectural movement that followed. Even though
the architectural designing began independently in different regions of Europe, e.g. Italy and
Europe, they all had the same characteristics, the most prominent one being the semi-secular arch
that became the architectural trend of the time.

Though in modern day Europe and other places in the world, buildings built during this period
and using this style are seen as places of quiet and spirituality, in ancient Europe they were filled
with activity and people.

Brief history

Spanning a period of more two (2) centuries from 1000 – mid-1200 AD, the Romanesque
architecture was the only style of architecture to extend through Europe since the fall of the
Roman Empire. The exact period of its origin is not exactly recorded but professional estimates
point to this period in history. While this genre is distinct in its style most of its elements can be
traced back to the remains of Roman Empire cathedrals and official buildings, hence its name,
Romanesque, which in definition means "from Rome", it borrows heavily from the Byzantine
and Ottonian architecture. It sprung up in the years leading to the end of the darks ages and
before the rise of the Gothic age inspired by a new Emperor's urge to reunite Europe after a
devastating era of the Dark Age. In central Italy, it survived over a century after it had lost its
place in Europe.

Background

The tenth century is considered by most historians as the century of Europe's rebirth after a
devastating previous century. A new leadership arose a new attitude and a new taste. Nowhere
was this new start more evident than in the construction field. This logical restart period saw the
birth of Romanesque architecture. This artistic revival, though not long lived, played a major role
in the eventual demise of the Dark Ages. Soon the new style was used by the might and powerful
as a sign of elegance, wealth, and power. The magnificent masonry of the Romanesque architects
dotted Europe from Italy to Britain, Germany to Brussels and all major cities in the continent.
The new Emperor used it to unite a divided continent.

Romanesque architects built with much mathematical precision and stone cutting finesse that it
has been claimed that they were possessed by talent and masonry.1 Although these claims cannot
be refuted and have no proof in the history recordings that survived Romanesque civilization, we
can clearly see the philosophy behind the designs. Security, precision, durability, artistry, and

, minimal wastage were part of the philosophy of Romanesque architecture and design. Experts
have classified it into three major categories based on their vaulting systems. They are classified
as follows

• Church with tunnel vault without a gallery in the isle

• Church with tunnel vault with gallery over the isles

• Church vaulted with a series of domes

Even though all the above categories insinuate a church focused style of building, it would be
detrimental to the understanding of this important era of construction to restrict the Romanesque
architecture to the church alone. Most of the buildings from this era had been destroyed by war
and civil strife in Europe. However, a few remnants still stand in rural parts of France, Italy,
Spain, Germany, Britain, and other regions in Western Europe.

Causes and influence

In an era when all lighting was provided by burning candles and wood, fires buildings (made of
wood ceilings) were going up in flames every now and then. There was a dire need to come up
with new ways to build houses and avert the danger caused by the current style. Stone was the
answer. There were also the factors of social changes taking place at the time, with a new
Emperor on the helm, architects were willing to experiment. Stone was also readily available in
Western Europe which made it easier for builders.

The Romanesque architectural design was highly influenced by the Carolingian, Byzantine,
Visigoth, and Ottonian architectural designs that came before it.2 Syrian churches also played a
huge part in influencing the architectural design especially when it came to decoration.

Design

The period in which this genre of architecture existed and flourished was marred by heavy
religious feelings, pilgrimages, religious wars, and church politics. Because of these factors,
religion played a key role, and so did religious architecture which held a Godly significance. The
architects of the day always used semicircular arches for openings (doors, windows) and very
thick walls for security reasons in times of war. Due to a shortage of construction wood and the
risk of fires the Romanesque period saw a huge shift from wood to stone as the building material
of choice. This in effect meant that structures had to have strong thick walls to avoid collapsing
and arched roofing to protect them from falling in. But the style differed from region to region
depending on culture and the needs for which the structures were meant to serve. For instance,
unlike in Norman England, the Italians included more marble and color to their architecture
while keeping the basics intact. Germany and Belgium on the other hand altered the style to
include tall spires. These variations notwithstanding, Romanesque architecture, in all of these
places, was characterized by four major elements that are core to its design; (1) Round arches (2)
Barrel vaults (3) Piers supporting vaults and (4) Groin vaults. These elements gave it its distinct
appearance which includes but not limited to; (1) Dark solemn spaces inside (2) Simple exterior
(3) Modest heights (4) Horizontal lines and (5) Detailed multiple units.

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