Romanesque Churches

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Recommended: What is the difference between gothic and romanesque architectures

Discuss the ways in which the main architectural features of Romanesque churches differ from those of Gothic cathedral, and make detailed reference to scale, structure and layout and decoration.
Name and discuss briefly one example of Gothic sculpture that you have studied.
Illustrate your answer.

Romanesque churches differ from Gothic churches by their architectural and decorative features.
Abbot Suger who was one of the first to introduce the Gothic style was fascinated by the religious implications of light and his new concept was for an 'architecture of light' which differs from Romanesque style architecture which had a dark and solemn aspect to their churches.
Romanesque church features were:
Blocky in shape: Which gave them a solid …show more content…

An ambulatory facilitated viewing the relics.
Lighting: The nave and the transcept lit up the central area and had the effect of drawing pilgrims towards the alter and the choir.
Cut Stone: Many churches were built with ashlar masonry, that is, even, regularly cut blocks of stone, suitable for monumental architecture.
Comparing these characteristics to the Gothic periods shows the differences between the two era's.
Gothic church features were:
Pointed Arches: That were stronger than the rounded Romanesque arch.
Rib Vaulting: was far more effective of supporting stone roofs then either barren or groin vaulting.
Buttresses: and external arches on the higher parts of the wall, called flying buttresses supported the wall and eliminated the problem of outward thrust.
Thinner Walls: allowed for buildings of much greater height and elegance than the Romanesque style. Solid walls were no longer a structural part of the building, so it instead became a skeletal structure supported by flying buttresses and filled with coloured glass.
Large Windows: let in light, in contrast to the dark Romanesque …show more content…

Chartres Catherdral:
The cathedral is essentally a 13th centurary building, for such was the enthusiasm for it's rebuilding that it was nearly complete by 1220, a remarkably short time for the construction of medival cathedrals. Most of he original 12th centuary structure still exists on the west front but 300 years seperate the spires, which is immediately obvious from their irregular appearance. The south spire is the original, plain, early Gothic pyramid dating from the 1140's, but the north tower was replaced following a lightening strike in 1506 with a taller tower and spire in the late Gothic (Flamboyant Gothic) style.
Chartres was one of the first large buildings to utilise the full potential of flying buttresses. There are three levels of them along the nave. At the first level they take the form of a simple arch; the next level is connected by small columns arranged like spokes of a wheel; a third layer of arches stretch stretch from the top of the buttresses to just below the gutter of the upper

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