Medieval Europe - Romanesque Architecture

Question 1

Romanesque

Answer 1

like the romans

Question 2

Romanesque Architecture

Answer 2

• blended ancient Roman + Byzantine architecture with Germanic and Insular art styles
• based on the rounded Roman arch

Question 3

expansion of Monasticism

Answer 3

monasteries were important centres of education and art

Question 4

Why did it become necessary to build churches?

Answer 4

Became necessary to build large Romanesque churches in order to accommodate growing numbers of clergy and pilgrims venerating the relics of saints

Question 5

floor plan features of romanesque church

Answer 5

• nave
• crossing
• choir and apse
• transept
• ambulatory
• radiating chapels
• side aisles

Question 6

nave

Answer 6

runs from entrance portal to centre of church

Question 7

transept

Answer 7

area in church that runs north-south perpendicular to nave

Question 8

crossing

Answer 8

area where transept meets nave, usually topped w/ domed tower

Question 9

choir and apse

Answer 9

main altar area at eastern arm

Question 10

ambulatory

Answer 10

arcaded gallery for pilgrims to walk around main altar (apse)

Question 11

side aisles

Answer 11

separated from central nave by a row of arches (arcade) supported by massive rectangular piers

Question 12

radiating chapels

Answer 12

smaller chapels (often holding a relic) situated on either side of apse

Question 13

Structural elements of a Romanesque church

Answer 13

• vault
• barrel vault
• groin vault
• column
• pier
• portal

Question 14

vault

Answer 14

arched stone ceiling extending from wall to wall of the nave or aisles of a church

Question 15

barrel vault

Answer 15

long uninterrupted arch forming a semicircular root vault over a rectangular space

Question 16

groin vault

Answer 16

formed by the intersection of 2 barrel vaults + usually square in plan

Question 17

column

Answer 17

cylindrical upright support

Question 18

pier

Answer 18

upright support usually rectangular (sometimes square) for supporting arches

Question 19

portal

Answer 19

entrance to church situated at its west end

Question 20

outward thrust

Answer 20

• roof of vaults collapsing caused by the pressure from the heavy stone roof
• mostly seen in barrel vaults, corrected in groin vaults

Question 21

tympanum

Answer 21

the space between the horizontal lintel of a doorway and the rounded or pointed arch above it

Question 22

characteristics of Romanesque Architecture

Answer 22

1. massive structures (block in shape)
2. semicircular, rounded Roman arches
3. fireproof vaulted stone roofs
4. thick walls w/ small windows
5. decorative shallow blind arches in walls
6. large piers needed to support arches
7. large tower(s)
8. external facade of building focused on tympanum over doorway
9. sculpture aimed at teaching bible to illiterate
10. columns topped w/ figurative capitals
11. tympanum usually decorated w/ christ in centre, flanked by biblical figures

Question 23

types of buildings

Answer 23

church
basilica
cathedral

Question 24

church

Answer 24

building used for religious activities

Question 25

basilica

Answer 25

signifies a building that:

has similarities to basilicas of ancient Rome/might have been designed by a pope

Question 26

cathedral

Answer 26

a Christian church that contains seat of a bishop

Question 27

3 examples of Romanesque churches

Answer 27

St Foy de Conques, France

Basilica of Mary Magdalene in Vezelay, France

St Lazare Cathedral in Autun, France