Sacred Medieval Architecture

Philip Sherrard states that the Byzantine Empire of Constantinople was “ the best fortified city in the world…” because of “ it’s towers [housing] more archers and missile throwers.” (Document B) Because of the architecture the empire was well equipped and safely guarded. In document note of Justinian’s code it states that Justinian’s modification of the Byzantine Empire’s laws shaped “our basic ideas about law and justice today.” and created a more “ unified empire.”

By the 6th century a Germanic tribe called the Visigoths, converts to Arian Christianity, had established themselves as the aristocratic elite. The Christians built many monumental basilica-plan churches. The Santa Maria de Quintanilla de las Vinas, Burgos, Spain and San Juan de Banos de Cerrato are two such churches that still remain today. In the beginning of the 8th century Islamic Muslims conquered Spain and ended Visigothic rule. They constructed militaristic and religious architecture including castles, watchtowers, rock castes, the Great Mosque, and the Red Palace. The remaining Christians adopted some of the Islamic styles and soon built upon a new style that ended up

It's critical that Gothic engineering was fundamentally given to the working of religious abodes. Gothic design is known for the utilization of curves that point strongly upward and flying supports, which allude to structures that hold up substantial dividers. Flying braces make the rich, vertical upward line of Gothic engineering and take into account bigger windows, which Gothic specialists used to showcase splendid recolored glass windows. Renaissance engineering included more Romanesque structures (fabricating a home around a yard, for instance), regularly based around circles rather than the vertical, upward development of Gothic design. In the Renaissance, figure was much more imperative than engineering. Figures, for example, Michelangelo's David demonstrated amazing naturalism and a grasp of the bare human

Much of the architecture in the Romanesque era evolved into Gothic architecture. The Gothic era ran from the 12th century into the 16th century. There wasn’t necessarily a clean break from Romanesque to Gothic styles of architecture, but rather a gradual shift in design. The main characteristics of Gothic architecture are the pointed ribbed vaults and arches, flying buttresses and, in place of solid walls, a cluster of columns. Due to the vertical emphasis of the design, the archways could be redesigned and stretched or pointed. Four main Figure 5 – The depressed arch supported by fan vaulting at King’s College Chapel, England.

He was coroneted by Pope in 800 C.E. He tried to revive the Ancient Roman way called Romanesque style. The whole kingdom was modeled on Ancient Rome. For example, the buildings were large and Roman- looking. The buildings had huge heavy stone arches, similar to Roman architecture. The heavy walls could support stone arches, mainly the roman barrel arch. The sculptures and the literatures during this era were also influenced by the Ancient Roman works. The Romanesque sculptor sough stylistic inspiration in roman works, the small carvings of the pre-Romanesque era, and especially manuscript illumination. The manuscript illuminations in the Gospel Book of Charlemagne indicated that the artists were aware of the Roman style. Moreover, Charlemagne also recruited scholars to keep classical texts alive and correct errors in texts especially one that had liturgical

The history of Architecture started long time ago. The nomadic were groups of people whom move from one place to another in order find shelter and food to survive. As they progress, their techniques to survive evolve. The need for a permanent shelter became vital for a better stability of the group. This is the time when the first structures that provided protection appeared. Post and lintel were the first forms of Architecture, that satisficed the basic needs. Architecture evolved to be more sophisticated and fulfill the people’s needs. Consequently, Architecture evolved throughout different periods such as: Ancient architecture, Romanesque, The medieval, Renaissance, Early modern, and the industrial age, Modernism and Contemporary

As emperor, Charlemagne had a made many accomplishments through his reign. The first being the Aachen Cathedral in Germany. He hired architect Eudes of Metz, he wanted something similar to the San Vitale Basilica in Ravenna, Italy. He admired

The Palatine Chapel at Aachen, Germany is an example of Early Christian medieval architecture and one of the earliest examples of Carolingian architecture. The Palatine Chapel was contrasted between the years of 790 and 805 by architect Odo of Metz. Metz created the chapel for Emperor Charlemagne, who ruled during the second half of the eighth century. Charlemagne was a strong new force that emerged on the continent, and his ruling brought out new ideas, architecture and religion to the people under his ruling. It was under Charlemagne, that the new dynasty of Carolingian was created, and with his expansion, he brought this dynasty to many different places around the continent. Carolingian architecture is influenced by styles from past western capitals, this implies The Palatine Chapel as it is influenced from past architecture as well. He admired many other architectural pieces and used many other pieces as inspirations for one of the earliest examples of the Carolingian style. It is noted that the chapel was a strong way to represent the religion of Christianity, however it can also be said that the chapel was a way to represent Charlemagne and all the things he wished for the people under his rule.

This remarkable improvement in methods indicates the fresh importation of skills from the East and this applies not merely to England but to all Western Europe at that time (“The Flowering” 88). Into three main phases the development of architecture through the period may be divided. The elements of Gothic style and their gradual elaboration over a period of rather more than a century came first at the opening of the 12th century. After the year 1000 there was a fully coordinated Gothic art particularly marked by the invention of windows with baltracy, Jean d’ Orbais probably used it first at Rheims cathedral during the generation following 1211, why the east end was begun. A century followed with classic poise in which an international architecture reached its peak and produce perfect forms of castle and palace, cathedrals enriched with painting patterned tiles, figure sculpture and stained glass (“The Flowering” 92).

Defining characteristics which began to create the line between Romanesque and Gothic architecture was the use of flying buttresses, this allowed for more light, bigger windows, and of course the use of a pointed arch rather than the rounded arches. Other characters which were developed and characterized as Gothic were the inclusion of large vertical towers, flamboyant spires, plate tracery windows, emphasis on windows, the reintroduction of sculptures, glass stained windows.

I also thought it was interesting to learn that the abbey church of Saint Dennis was the first introduction of Gothic architecture. Another interesting thing that I wanted to point out was, that many of the churches, including the abbey church of Saint Dennis and the Chartres Cathedral, "had lengthy construction histories" (Kleiner 379). But, one church, in particular, had a fairly quick construction time frame. The Laon Cathedral, pictured below, is an example of a church that began construction around 1160 and the construction was quickly completed, by 1200. Besides, Gothic architectural features, the Laon Cathedral also demonstrates some Romanesque features, including, "nave bays with large sexpartite rib vaults" (Kleiner 379). The textbook

The Gothic style was an over exaggerated, awe-inspiring attempt to become closer to God. The worshipper was not only drawn to the altar, but experienced an ascent to heaven at the same time.1 These artistic gems are a grand testament to historical technology and the imaginative approach and vision of skilled craftsmen. The gothic style is one of the most

During the Romanesque period, there were many similarities and difference between the different groups that had flourished in Europe. For instance, one thing that distinguished the clots from other of that time period was by using positive and negative shape in their art pieces. Also, other groups by the Mediterranean were known to use geometric pattern in their artwork which differ from other groups like the Irish, which were known to use Christianity and interacted patterns. One key characteristic of the Romanesque period is that Christianity played a big role in many of the art work. The pieces of work incorporated the scenes from the scripture in their architecture, painting, and

After Charlemagne’s death in 814, a terrible and dark period of cultural decline and terror ensued. It took a long time for the terror to end and the conquerors of various parts of Charlemagne’s empire to come together and create conditions for peace. With that peace came the Romanesque architecture movement. Now it can be hard to distinguish what exactly Romanesque architecture was

The research paper, shall be concerned with discussion Gothic architecture in Europe-namely England, France, Germany, and Italy starting from 12th to the 16th Centuries. Architecture was the most original and lasting form of art during the Gothic Period, which lasted for four centuries starting from the mid 12th century. The impetus for this architecture was the Roman Catholic Church, which sought to portray their houses of worship as something which transcended the realm of mankind. It is interesting to note that many of the Northern European areas were predominately pagan, and only recently brought into the Church. The imagery provided by Gothic structural design was something these peoples could more readily understand, as they