Outline II: Middle Ages

Question 1

Comprises today’s Western Europe countries (Italy, Spain, Britain, France, Germany)

Answer 1

Christian Europe

Question 2

Date of the Medieval Ages (Dark Ages)

Answer 2

A.D. 476 - c. 1350

Question 3

High level of technological achievement of the classical times was eroded by the destruction of libraries and classics; Christianity was the common religious belief; reverted to the provincialism of pre-Roman times ; majority of creative effort was directed toward defensive or religious objectives

Answer 3

Christian Europe - Medieval Period

Question 4

Open space, usually near center with church or cathedral, town hall, and central public water well; irregular in configuration; often no streets passed straight through; public gathering space of citizenry

Answer 4

Square, Piazza, or Plaza

Question 5

Example of a Monastery

Answer 5

St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls, Rome (5th century)

St. Gall, Switzerland, A.D. 830

Question 6

Example of a piazza

Answer 6

Piazza del Popolo, Todi, Italy
piazza della Signoria, Florence
piazza del Campo, Siena
Piazza San Marco, Venice

Question 7

Design expressions of the Medieval Period (3 Key Points)

Answer 7

Monasteries
Walled Towns
Castle Gardens

Question 8

The date that marks the beginning of the Mohammedan era

Answer 8

622 A.D.

Question 9

Duration of the Islamic Spain

Answer 9

Eighth to fifteenth centuries A.D.

Question 10

Similar to Moslem Middle East; extremely hot and dry with rugged and inarable landscape

Answer 10

Moorish Spain

Question 11

The origin of the Islamic (Moorish) Spain in the early seventh century

Answer 11

Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

Question 12

Forbid animal portrayal or animal or human forms, hence the development of elaborate geometric decorative embellishment for buildings and gardens

Answer 12

Islamic (Moorish) Spain

Other answer for another period: Persia

Question 13

Belief in scientific evidence rather than miracles; paradise gardens created to prepare one for afterlife in heaven

Answer 13

Islamic Spain

Question 14

Design expression of Islamic (Moorish) Spain (2 Key Points)

Answer 14

Religious Courtyard

Palace Courtyard

Question 15

A place of spiritual preparation prior to entering house of worship

Answer 15

Religious Courtyard (Mosque)

Question 16

An expression of “paradise”; idealized universe with four rivers of heaven; with elaborate geometric decorative architectural wall; has sequence of small cool interior chambers; where the King or sultan is carried as if on flying carpet; include central water feature and use of colorful glazed tiles

Answer 16

Palace Courtyards

Question 17

Example of a palace courtyard

Answer 17

Canal Garden, Generalife, Granada, 1275
Palace of the Alcazar, Seville, 1364
Court of the Myrtles, Palace of the Alhambra, Granada, 1350
Court of the Lions, Palace of the Alhambra, Granada, 1375

Question 18

Example of a religious courtyard

Answer 18

Court of the Oranges, Cordoba, c. A.D. 750-987

Question 19

Describe Monasteries (3 Key Points)

Answer 19

Autonomous or semi-self sufficient
Orderly arrangement of facilities
Central open space (cloister) as focus of monastery complex