St Sernin Romanesque Architecture

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St. Sernin Toulouse 1080 - 1120 Romanesque architecture is characterized by: - thick heavy walls which support stone roofs - a blocky, earthbound appearance - large, simple geometric masses - the exterior reflects the interior structure and organization - interiors tend to be dark because of the massive walls that dictate small windows - growing sophistication in vaulting to span the large spaces - barrel vaults, groin vaults and rib vaults are used A major boom in building was due to the need, in some cases, to replace wooden churches which had been burned by the Norsemen and the continued growth in the cult of relics and pilgrimages. French and English builders built some of the most adventurous buildings in terms of pushing the limits of the design technology San Sernin, in Toulouse, is a typical pilgrimage style church in the Burgundian style. The floor plan is a Latin cross w/ clearly defined parts - basilica plan modified for large crowds - large apse - the square of the crossing / module for the rest of the plan - 1/2 half of the crossing square = 1 bay - side aisles = 1/4 of the crossing square The 4 side aisles form continuous circuit around the transept nave and transept. The ambulatory aisle enclosed the choir- the area east the transept- separated by a screen to give privacy to monks doing the mass or other services. - the side aisles allow visitors to walk back to view the relics without disturbing anything going on in the nave or choir areas St. Sernin, looking toward the altar and apse Looking up at the dome in the crossing. Note the massive blocks of multi-colored stone A prominent feature of many Romanesque churches is the addition of multiple chapels"radiating chapels". Early Christian churches had 1 alter - 1 focus. During the Romanesque period churches are in the relics business- more relics - more business - donations.

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