What is “Romanesque” Architecture?

The term “Romanesque” was coined in 1818 by Charles-Alexis-Adrien de Gerville[14] to describe the form of art and architecture that proceeded Gothic.

According to its name, Romanesque is inspired by Roman architecture. Similarities between Roman and Romanesque include round arches, stone materials, and the basilica-style plan used for secular purposes by the Romans.

The Romanesque period cannot be precisely defined but Romanesque architecture generally dates from 1000 to 1150, when Gothic began to take over. Romanesque was at its height between about 1075 and 1125.

Romanesque Churches

Romanesque architecture resulted from the great expansion of monasticism in the 10^th and 11^th centuries. At that time Europe first regained political stability after the fall of the Roman Empire. Several large monastic orders sprang up at this time and established churches all over Western Europe. Their churches were larger than the previous ones in order to accommodate a large number of priests and monks. They also gave an access to pilgrims who wished to view the saints’ relics kept in the churches.

To fulfill these functions, Romanesque churches extensively used a semicircular (“Roman”) arch for windows, doors, and arcades. Round arches were a salient feature of Romanesque architecture, and the windows were usually small, owing to the necessity for keeping the walls strong to support the outward pressure of the roof.

A barrel vault or groin vaults were used to support the roof of the nave while massive piers and walls contained the extremely forceful outward thrust of the arched vaults. The barrel vaults of Romanesque churches were typically divided by shafts (engaged columns) and diaphragm arches into square bays, or compartments. This compartmentalization was an essential characteristic that distinguishes Romanesque architecture from its predecessors.

Two basic church plans evolved in France became the most often used types. The early Christian basilica plan (longitudinal with side aisles and an apse) was also expanded to accommodate the expanding functions of large churches. Each one involved a system of radiating chapels (to accommodate more priests during mass), ambulatories around the sanctuary apse, and large transepts (transverse aisles separating the sanctuary from the main body of the church). Transepts were a feature of most Romanesque churches, and took an important part in the ornamentation.

The typical Romanesque church also had side aisles along the nave with galleries above them, a large tower over the crossing of the nave and transepts, and smaller towers at the church’s western end. In Italy the towers were built separately, and made a picturesque feature of these churches.

 

Text 2

Gothic Architecture

Useful terms and phrases

6. Read the following terms and phrases, mind their pronunciation:

ribbed vault	нервюрный свод
pointed arch	стрельчатая арка
rib	нервюра
to align	выравнивать по одной линии
diamond shapes	ромбовидная форма
buttress	контрфорс, опора
in-between	в промежутке
vault arching support	опора, поддерживающая свод
flying buttress	арочный контрфорс
stained glass	цветное стекло
rose window	круглое окно-розетка
lean outward	наклоняться наружу
to tumble down	упасть, рассыпаться
entry portal	главный вход
facial gable	лицевой вимперг/ фронтон
array	построение, расположение, порядок
to lay out	размещать
to range	классифицировать
multitude	масса
Gargoyle	Горгулья, выступающая водосточная труба
water spout	водосточная труба
gutter	водосточный жёлоб
accepted God	признанный бог

 

Text 2

Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture emerged from Romanesque architecture in the year 1144 AD. A Benedictine abbot called Suger was building a new church outside Paris. He decided that he wanted something new and impressive. Suger wanted to make the Abby church of St. Denis so tall that it would seem to reach the heavens, and so amazing that everyone would remember it.

When people saw this new form of architecture, they were amazed. The Gothic style quickly spread. Towns and cities did not let their churches be outdone by churches elsewhere. They tried to build taller, longer, and more stunning churches than any other.

Many of the individual characteristics of gothic architecture, such as ribbed vaults and pointed arches, were also used in the Romanesque style. The way they were combined made gothic architecture unique. The ribs that held up the vaults were aligned so that they made diamond shapes on the ceilings, and had a good place for buttresses to be attached. In Gothic architecture separate chambers were connected without walls in-between each other. That created the impression of a larger interior, and allowed the ceiling to be higher. The outward pressure of the vaults brought the need for buttresses to keep the building together. They were moved away from the side of the building, and were connected to the vault arching supports. This form of buttress became known as a flying buttress, and became widely used in gothic architecture.

Windows were very important. They were often made of stained glass with bible scenes. Each window could take months to complete, because some were as much as one-hundred feet tall. Gothic cathedrals had hundreds of windows, but the interior was usually dim. The coloured glass did not allow as much light in as clear glass would.

As gothic architecture spread from country to country, it changed a little. Each country had its own idea of what a cathedral should look like (i.e. the French centered on height, while the English centered on length). The only European country that did not really accept gothic architecture was Italy.

Probably the most famous of the gothic cathedrals is the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. Begun in 1163 and standing nearly 115 feet tall, it has all of the characteristics of gothic cathedrals including a huge rose window, a vaulted ceiling, and flying buttresses. Other famous gothic buildings include the Salisbury Cathedral in England; and the Chartres Cathedral in France.