Romanesque Architecture Essay

1107 Words5 Pages
The word “Romanesque” (coined in 1818, 1819 or 1824 --there is no total agreement-- as a bridging term between Roman and Carolingian architecture that preceded “Romanesque,” and Gothic that followed it) embraces architecture, art, and sculpture. It was a European cultural phenomenon promoted from the late 10th century to about 1200** by the rapid expansion of monastic orders, the most powerful of which was the Benedictine Abbey of Cluny (founded in 910) in Burgundy, eastern France. The most widespread and magnificent expressions of Romanesque are to be found mainly in churches and church related buildings: e.g. monasteries, abbeys, pilgrim shelters, hospices. What is Romanesque Architecture? Romanesque Architecture emerged during the Middle Ages or the Medieval era strongly identified with the Normans. Romanesque Architecture is the term used to describe the building styles which were used between 800 AD to 1100 AD. The name of this style of architecture leads to some confusion - the immediate association with this style of architecture is with the Roman Empire! The reason for this association are the similarities between Roman Architecture especially the Roman 'barrel vault' and the Roman arch. And the Medieval Romanesque Architecture was the first major style of architecture to be developed after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Romanesque Architecture was primarily developed by the Normans. The History of Romanesque Architecture The History of Romanesque Architecture is strongly influenced by the religious fervour of the period which resulted in the construction of many Romanesque churches in England. Many medieval Knights had travelled to the Holy Land on Crusades. They had seen the magnificent solid fortresses of the Byzantine Empire and these massive buildings influenced and revolutionised castle building ideas, engineering and architecture of the
Open Document