Text 4 romanesque architecture

Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe. It was the first distinctive style which spread throughout Europe since Roman Architecture. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word "Romanesque" means "descended from Rome." There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6^th to the 10^th century. In the 12^th century it developed into the Gothic style. The Romanesque style in England is traditionally referred to as Norman architecture.

Combining features of Western Roman and Byzantine buildings, Romanesque architecture is known by thick walls, semicircular arches, massive west facade crowned by a tower or by twin towers, the complex design of the eastern part housing the sanc tuary, the rhythmic alternation of piers and columns in the nave, groin vaults and decorative arcading. Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that their appearance is simple as compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow. The style can be identified throughout Europe, despite regional characteristics and different materials.

Many castles were built during this period, but they are greatly outnumbered by churches. The most significant are abbey churches. In France, Burgundy was the centre of monasticism. The enormous and powerful monastery of Cluny had lasting effect 0:1 the layout of other monasteries and the design of their churches. The Cluniac order, at the peak of iits power, played a primary role in the patronage of construction.

The general impression given by Romanesque architecture in both ecclesiastical and secular buildings is one of massive solidity and strength. In contrast with both the preceding Roman and later Gothic architecture in which the load- bearing structural members are columns, pilasters and arches, Romanesque architecture relies upon walls or sections of walls called piers. The walls of Romanesque buildings are often of massive thickness with few small openings. They are often double shells, filled with rubble. The building material differs greatly through Europe, depending upon the local stone and building traditions. In Italy, Poland, Germany, brick is generally used. Other areas saw extensive use of limestone, granite and flint. The building stone was often used in comparatively small and irregular pieces, bedded in thick mortar.

The arches used in Romanesque architecture are mostly semicircular for openings such as doors and windows, for vaults and arcades. An arcade is a row of arches supported by piers or columns. They occur in the interior of large churches separating the nave from the aisles. Arcading on a large scale generally fulfils a

structural purpose, but it is also used as a decorative element both externally and internally.

Piers and columns are an important structural feature of Romanesque architecture. Piers built of masonry and square or rectangular in section were often employed to support arches. Monolithic columns cut from a single piece of stone were frequently used in Italy as they had been in Roman architecture. In most parts of Europe columns were massive as they supported thick upper walls with small windows and sometimes heavy vaults. Groin vaults occur in early Romanesque buildings. A groin vault is almost always square in plan and is constructed of two barrel vaults intersecting at right angles. Paired columns are a feature of Romanesque cloisters in Spain, Italy and southern France.

The Romanesque period produced a profusion of sculptural ornamentation. Although much sculptural ornament was sometimes applied to the interiors of churches, the focus of such decoration was generally on the west front and i:he portals in particular. Chevrons and other geometric ornaments are most frequently found on the mouldings of the central door. In general the style of ornament was more classical in Italy and more "barbaric" in England and Germany.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Pisa is a noted structure of Romanesque architecture. The construction of the cathedral was begun in 1064 by the architect Buscheto di Giovanni. It is a medieval marble church buili: in Pisan Romanesque style, which is divided into five naves with a transept to three naves. The cathedral fagade includes some very rich decorations of multicolour marble and mosaics. The interior is coated with white and black marbles. There is a gilt panelled ceiling and here we can also find some frescos by famous artists.

The construction of the baptistery was begun in 1153 in Romanesque style. The fact that the construction spanned over 200 years is seen in the way it is designed. The exterior of the baptistery represents different architectural styles depending on which style was popular at the time. The lower levels include an open gallery supported by classical pillars and round arches . This is a typical sign of

Romanesque architecture. It is the biggest baptistery in Italy. The interior is simple and without decorations. We can notice the pulpit sculpted by Nicolo Pisano between 1255 and 1260. Outside, on the dome top one can see an immense statue representing San Giovanni Battista. Vocabulary Notes:

Romanesque style - романський стиль abbey - абатство

semicircular arch - напівкругла арка monastery - монастир (чоловічий)

pier - стовп; простінок ecclesiastical - церковний

tower - вежа, башта aisle - боковий неф

groin vault - хрестове склепіння (арх.) barrel vault - циліндричне склепіння

arcade - аркада (архіт.); cloister - монастир

склепінчаста галерея cathedral - кафедральний собор

pilaster -пілястр transept -трансепт (архіт.),

castle - замок поперечний неф готичного собору

church - церква layout - планування (споруди)