Romanesque & Gothic

Abbey

A grouping of buildings that constitutes the housing and other necessary structures for a society of Christian monks or nuns who were all living under a specific religious rule.

Cloister

An enclosed rectangular space in a monastery, usually an open, garden court surrounded by roofed passages on all four sides. In a monastery, the cloister connects the church to the domestic structures.

Monasticism

A communal lifestyle dedicated to spiritual devotion. A retreat from the world into a community of like-minded ascetics, committed to daily regimens of work and prayer. Nuns and monks in the middle ages encouraged literacy, learning, housed travelers, healed the sick, and assisted the poor. Religious orders became important patrons of the arts in the Romanesque period

Pilgrimage

A basilica (latin-cross) plan church with side-aisles that envelop the entire structure. This allows for the circulation of large crowds without the disruption of the liturgy. (also called “pilgrimage road architecture.”

Relic

A relic is a fragment of a sacred object, generally connected to a saint or some other venerated person. A cult relic might be a body part, a Saint’s finger, a cloth worn by the Virgin Mary, a piece of the True Cross. The presence of sacred relics was one of the central reasons why pilgrims traveled long distances to specific sites. Relics could enhance a city’s reputation.

Reliquary

Protective container for a relic. Often decorated lavishly.

Ribbed vault

A vault with projecting bands.

Flying Buttress

An arch transmitting the thrust of a vault or roof from the upper part of the wall to an outer support buttress. A mass of masonry projecting from a wall to give additional support.

Groin vault

two intersecting barrel vaults.

Pinnacle

a small, steep turret-like structure crowning spires and other roof structures.

Stained glass window

Glass windows created by fitting together small pieces of various shapes and colors with strips of lead.

Fontenay Abbey

Fontenay Abbey

Fontenay Abbey

Fontenay Abbey

Cluny Abbey

Abbey Church at Moissac

Cluny Abbey

Abbey Church at Moissac

Abbey Church at Moissac

Cathedral of Saint James

Saint James

Abbey church of Saint Denis

Abbey church of Saint Denis

Abbey church of Saint Denis

Abbey church of Saint Denis

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral