Medieval Architecture

Courtney Smith & Abigail O’Hara

Religious Medieval Architecture

0The dome of the Church symbolizes striving upwards toward heaven.

0Though wood was not common in past ages, Most medieval churches were built of limestone, with wood acting as support for flying buttresses.

Continued…0 The stained-glass windows were

are a representative of medieval architecture. Extravagant use of color and size characterized the medieval churches.

0 Since Medieval Architecture is symbolic with nature, the use of geometrical shapes were used as symbols.

0 Columns, pillars and Roman influence has a large role in the décor.

Secular Medieval Architecture0The emphasis is on defense, as

opposed to symbolism. 0Some of the notable features

include a moat to keep any enemies at bay.

0Wide outer walls for the sentries to keep watch.

0Crenellated edges for the archers to shoot between, which also provided protection.

Norman Architecture0 The Norman castles styled in Romanesque

architecture had design faults which led to many problems in terms of defense.

0 The wooden Mote and Bailey castles were at risk of fire and their towers were quickly replaced by the Stone Keeps, which also had their own problems.

0 Norman buildings in England and France were largely Romanesque, chiefly based upon the Romanesque architecture of Lombardy in Italy.

Gothic Architecture 0Gothic architecture resembles

Norman architecture. Romanesque also have some characteristics of Gothic style.

0Gothic construction, particularly in its later phase, is characterized by lightness and soaring spaces.

Romanesque Architecture

0Massive west facade crowned by a tower or by twin towers, the complex design of the eastern part housing the sanctuary, the rhythmic alternation of piers and columns in the nave are the characteristic features of Romanesque structures.

0 The characteristics represent only the advanced stages in a lengthy and complex formal evolution marked by considerable trial and error.

Romanesque Pictures…

Romanesque City Hall

Works Cited

0http://www.ehow.com/how_2044724_recognize-medieval-architecture.html

0http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0858436.html0http://

www.bing.com/images/search?q=romanesque+architecture&view=detail&id=166EE11AB416D2C2B90319C90A2D73DBDCBC8AC9&first=31&qpvt=romanesque+architecture&FORM=IDFRIR

0http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0860785.html