Europe is famous for Romanesque architecture. Grand, elaborate stonework with stunning use of windows, vaults and arches appears in countries like today's Germany, France, England, Spain and Poland. Romanesque architecture challenges the nature of stone and incorporates the magic and drama of light.
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Open arcades like the one above make great use of natural light and space. A walled courtyard beyond the pillars helps protect from bad weather. Skilled work turns decorative elements of stone into flowing fabrics or vegetation. Arcades like this might be whitewashed to reflect more light, creating a heavenly promenade.
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The Cathedral in Worms, Germany, is one of the greatest examples of Romanesque. Built between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries in the High Middle Ages, St Peter's Cathedral (German: Wormser Dom) is a Roman Catholic church standing on the highest point of the old town.
Because building with stone is heavy business, windows and lighting designs need to be clever. Not only does the use of light serve a practical purpose, it also has spiritual or mystical meaning.
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In Germany, the Romanesque period occurs a little later than in other parts of Europe including France and Spain, but has a mighty influence. Romanesque uses thick walls, round arches, groin vaults, robust towers, ornate rose windows and decorative arcades.
To raise walls of stone to heights never before seen, engineers design solid stone buttresses against the outside walls. In the ensuing Gothic period these evolve into flying buttresses.
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The Christ Church cathedral, above, in Oxford, England, combines Romanesque and English Gothic styles. The purpose of building churches higher, besides local grandeur, was to bring the songs of the choir, voices and prayers of the people closer to God. In cathedrals the acoustics are vibrant.
Romanesque architecture favors beautiful rosette or rose, tall narrow windows and stained glass designs. As the light falls from above, walking into a Romanesque building one truly has a sense of awe.
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The groin vault is another famous feature of Romanesque architecture. Also called double barrel vault or cross vault, a groin vault is created with the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles.
The groin vault technique was first used by the Romans, and revived during the Romanesque architectural period. Examples of groin vaulting include the nave ceiling of the church above, the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent-de-Saragosse de Saint-Malo or Saint-Malo Cathedral, in Brittany, France.
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One of the most famous examples of Romanesque architecture, not by design, is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The lean began after the first three stories were completed in the later 1170's, due to uneven settling of the building's foundations in the soft ground.
In the Romanesque period, artists and builders challenge the nature of stone. They incorporate enhanced detail, curves and organic flow into their work. Decorative pillars, arcades, window frames and statues bring life and expression to the Romanesque style
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