Romanesque

There is no exact beginning date of when the Romanesque period began, but Charles the Great was crowned Roman Emperor in 800.  He accomplished a lot during his reign.  He established schools and monasteries, encouraged learning and the arts, and encouraged building using the technology of Roman structures. The Romanesque period was most known for how many churches were established during this time.  There were a minimum 1, 587 churches built between 1000 and 1100.

 




Some typical features of churches:
- Semicircular arches and vaults
- Plans from the Early Christian Basilica
- Side chapel added in the transept
- Multiple Aisles
- Better illumination provided
- Choir added
- Roofs were now made from masonry not wood
- Rich tapestries

- Bibles and Chalices were set with stones
- Walls were typically green, blue, purple or gold

Romanesque interiors were very ornamental: stone carvings were popular and focused on Christ.  Church design was very different compared to residential design.  Most houses were made of wood, mud, and twigs with dirt floors. Due to the way these houses were built, very few people survived because it was wet and drafty causing constant sickness. There are not many pictures of residential homes from the past, but the modern architecture has taken great influence from that era. 



1890 Romanesque Yonkers, NY

 

Victorian Romanesque Mansion in Highland Park, IL
 

Masonry walls similar to the old residential homes