8. Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque

means “in the Roman style” or “descended from Roman”. a direct modification of Roman architecture and it owed something from the Byzantine art.

Narthex

church's lobby.

Aisles

passageways on either sides of nave.

Nave

central part to accommodate the congregation

Transept

an area set crosswise to the nave forming a Latin cross plan.

Apse

is the semi-circular, vaulted part oriented on the east towards Jerusalem.

Ambulatory

is semi-circular passageway behind the apse.

Absidial / Absidioles

are radiating side chapels for relics of saints.

Triforium

gallery above the aisle

Clerestory

windows above the gallery

quadripartite vault

divided into four sections of equal bays.

sexpartite vault

four-sectioned vault with an additional arch rib dividing it into six unequal parts.

squinch

used to bridge the corners of a square to form a base for an octagonal tower.

Pendentives

triangular sections of a sphere

corbel table

row of corbels

lombard band

decorative blind arcade.

tympanum

decorated wall surface over an entrance or window

Monastic village

group of buildings designed to be a self-sufficient community for monks

Cloister court

chapter house, sacristy, dormitory, refectory, kitchen

Inner court

infirmary, guest house, kitchen, servant’s hall, library & scriptorium (for writing) •

Common court

granaries, bake houses, stables, store rooms, abbot’s lodging & barn

castles

were built as protection from invaders, defense and displays wealth and power

Fortified towns

protected by walls called fortifications

Crusades

series of holy wars launched by the Christian society of knights of Europe against Muslim aggression

Knights templar

skilled combatant units of the crusades

Knights Hospitaller

tends to the sick or injured pilgrims

Motte and Bailey Castle

castle surrounded by a moat on top of a mound of earth

Motte

mound of earth

Bailey

courtyard surrounding a wooden fence and a ditch

Rectangular Keep Castle

surrounded by thick walls and moat, this castle offered a better form of defence.

Shell Keep Castle

a circular shell of stone wall with various buildings inside it and surrounded by a moat.

The Concentric Castle

surrounded by a moat, it has double concentric walls in different levels and with features allowing archers to launch arrows

Keep or donjon

the fortified tower or stronghold of a castle

Curtain walls

are the enclosing defensive walls of a castle.

Rampart

defensive earthen bank surrounding a castle.

Talus/Glacis

a bold sloping thickness at the foot of walls to protect them from undermining.

barbican

a fortified gatehouse tower that contains a series of defences to make a direct assault more difficult.

Drawbridge

a wooden bridge capable of being raised or lowered.

Towers

allow lookouts to see invaders easily.

Machicolations

are projecting parapets allowing floor openings, through which molten lead, boiling oil or stones are dropped down below.

Crenellations

(battlements) are regular gaps in the parapet. Placed on top of fortifications

Merlons

upstanding parts of an embattled parapet between two crenels

Arrow loops

narrow openings set inside walls and towers, enabling defenders to launch arrows.

Bailey or ward

the courtyard-like area enclosed by a stone wall where the domestic buildings of the castle were.

Moat

a deep and wide trench filled with water providing a preliminary line of defence.

Garderobe

the castle’s toilet.

Pilgrim Forts

sited to secure the routes from coastal ports to Jerusalem • has a thin curtain wall with rectangular corner towers, a ditch and an outer earth rampart.

Coastal Fortifications

coastal ports were fortified to secure the sea links

Strategic Inland Castles

protect the coast roads, • safeguard mountain passes • provide visual command of the approach routes

WINDSOR CASTLE

the largest inhabited castle in the world (4,500 sqm.) with a staff of 500 • oldest in continuous occupation and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe • notable for its long association with the British royal family

Leeds Castle

billed as the loveliest castle in the world

Pisa Cathedral

one of the finest of the Romanesque period.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

world famous leaning tower (5.5 degrees)

German Romanesque

three apse plan of trefoil form, large churches have apses at both ends

Helm roof

4 gables forming a pyramidal roof with 4 diamond-shaped sides meeting at the ape

SPEYER CATHEDRAL

largest Romanesque church in Germany, keeps the coffins of 4 kings and 4 emperors. • exterior finished in colored bricks.

French Romanesque

Churches have a fully developed chevet with radiating chapels.

British Romanesque (Norman Style)

Chevron moulding is distinctive in recessed doors to give richness and depth

Spain and Portugal Romanesque

often be traced to a Muslim influence, which in turn led to Mozarabic and Mudéjar styles; Horseshoe arch

Lisbon Portugal

has two bell towers in the Norman manner and a wheel window.

Scandinavian Romanesque

Wooden stave churches of Norway with timber frames, palisade walls, and shingled steep roofs

Stave church

an ancient style of church constructed purely of wood, unique to Norway

Heddal Stave Church

a triple nave stave church and is Norway's largest.