Of all the great architectural movements that swept across Europe since antiquity, Romanesque Architecture was the first to emerge after the fall of the Romans. When the Western Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, there was a huge decline in significant building projects for hundreds of years. But at the end of this period now known as the Dark Ages, a new style of architecture emerged. Borrowing heavily from older forms of Roman Buildings, Romanesque Architecture emerged to be the dominant building style in Western Europe, long before the arrival of the Gothic Age.
Definition of Romanesque Architecture
Romanesque architecture and art was a form of design that borrowed extensively from Ancient Roman art and architecture and was used throughout Europe from 500-1200 CE.
Timeline of Romanesque Architecture
Romanesque architecture was the dominant building style in Europe from roughly the point after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century to the beginning of the Gothic Era in the 13th century.
Developing from religious structures such as churches, monasteries, and abbeys, the Romanesque Style eventually spread into almost all types of buildings. The Dark Ages and Early Middle ages were the major periods that heavily utilized this style.
Romanesque Architecture Characteristics
Rounded Arches or “Roman Arches”
Photo by W. Bulach from Wikimedia Commons
By far, the most dominant feature in Romanesque Architecture is the round arch. Also referred to as the Roman Arch, the round arch predates the pointed Gothic arch. It had already been used in architecture for hundreds of years at the start of the middle ages, most notably in Ancient Roman Architecture. In the photo above you can see the entire west facade of Maria Laach Abbey in Germany is decorated with different forms of the same round arch,
Thick Walls with Small Windows
Photo by Nuno Cardoso from flickr
Overall Romanesque Architecture is full of stout, bulky, heavy, and sturdy-looking buildings. Walls had to be thick with small windows, to take the full weight of the roof above. The entire exterior of Pisa Cathedral shows how even the most monumental and impressive Romanesque buildings were built this way. Later on in architectural history, Flying Buttress allowed architects to build taller buildings with walls full of huge windows – which became the foundation for the Gothic Style.
Earlier in the Romanesque age, the Naves of most churches were capped with wooden roofs. This was a format that dated all the way back to the ancient Roman Basilica. Eventually, the cathedrals of Europe started to get more sophisticated, constructing archways over their naves. Builders would essentially compress multiple stone arches together, to create a barrel vault. Stone barrel vaults also made churches sturdier and helped out with fire protection too, since there were no exposed wooden timbers in the roof to burn. The barrel vault within the Basilica of Saint-Sernin was one of the largest ever constructed in the Romanesque Age.
Lack of Ornamentation and Detail
Photo by Anna & Michal from flickr
Many Romanesque Churches share a distinct lack of ornamentation when compared to churches built in the Gothic Age. Although there are a few exceptions, most Romanesque buildings are stark and bare, and they only have intricate stonework in a few isolated spots. This lack of detail is especially apparent early on in the Romanesque age, before the year 1000 CE. Vézelay Abbey in France was built mostly in the early 1100s, but here you can see some sculptural elements start to appear, particularly in the column capitals.
Romanesque vs. Gothic
Romanesque architecture came before Gothic architecture. The Romanesque period lasted from the 6th-12th century, while the Gothic Period lasted from the 13th-16th century.
- (left) Rounded arches at Speyer Cathedral in Germany
- (right) Pointed arches at Milan Cathedral in Italy
- Right Photo by © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro/CC BY-SA 4.0
There are many differences between the two styles. A lot of these differences have to do with European history during the middle ages. Technology was advancing, and people were able to build larger more graceful buildings during the Gothic Period.
New building techniques like the pointed arch and the flying buttress allowed architects to build taller and larger churches. The buttresses allowed the weight of the roof to be spread outward with the help of the pointed arches.
- (left) Side of Pisa Cathedral, with flat walls that have small windows with round arches
- (right) Side of Reims Cathedral, with flying buttresses which allow for huge windows with gothic arches
- Left Photo by Jordiferrer from Wikimedia Commons
So now, instead of having thick stone walls with tiny windows to support your roof, like in a Romanesque building, you could use the buttresses to take the weight of the roof. This allowed architects to use these beautiful massive stained glass windows that would let incredible amounts of light into the interior space.
- (left) The interior of Vézelay Abbey in Vézelay, France. Notice the vaulted ceiling, rounded arches, heavy windows with a lack of natural light, and the lack of excessive detail and artwork.
- (right) The interior of Sainte Chappelle in Paris, France. Notice the ribbed ceiling, the pointed arches, and the massive stained glass windows filled with intricate artwork.
- Left Photo by Jörb Bittner Unna from Wikimedia Commons
- Right Photo by Artmch from Wikimedia Commons
Romanesque architecture also does not include the copious amount of detail that you find in Gothic architecture. Below you will see some simple geometric stonework in a Romanesque church, compared to the elaborate carvings in a Gothic building.
- (left) Romanesque detailing at Bamberg Cathedral in Bramber, Germany
- (right) Late Gothic detailing at the Colegio de San Gregoria in Valladolid, Spain
- Left Photo by Reinhard Kirchner from Wikimedia Commons
- Right Photo by Rafael Tello from Wikimedia Commons
Again, the discrepancies in the detailing had a lot to do with European history. Religious authorities in the middle ages were often opposed to excessive art and details, as they were thought to distract from the services of the church. But eventually, these practices were slowly abandoned, and art was made more openly, so long as it told the message of the church and the bible.
It’s scaled back, but in Romanesque architecture, you can see fine details and carved stonework. You will find stories from the bible, depicted mostly around column capitals and within the Tympanum, the main archway above the entrance to a church. Gothic architecture took this a step further and showed even more intricate depictions of various religious motifs.
- (left) Tympanum at Vézelay Abbey in Vézelay, France
- (right) Tympanum at Notre Dame in Paris, France
- Both carvings depict the scene of the last judgment, however, the Gothic version is much more intricate and detailed, with significant improvement in the realism of the sculpture. The carvings also leave the area of the Tympanum and cascade down and around the doorway and into the rest of the building.
- Left Photo by Gerd Eichmann from Wikimedia Commons
- Right Photo by Guilhem Vellut from Wikimedia Commons
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What are the Best Romanesque Buildings?
Below is a list of buildings that are often regarded as the best examples of Romanesque architecture. These buildings show all of the key features of the Romanesque style.
Rather than just focusing on churches, this list will also incorporate secular buildings as well to give a cohesive look at Romanesque Architecture. This list will focus on size, innovation, and overall beauty to determine what are the best Romanesque buildings that can still be found in Europe today.
1. Pisa Cathedral – Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Pisa Cathedral may be known for its leaning tower, but it’s also one of the greatest examples of Romanesque Architecture on earth. The cathedral, baptistery, and bell tower are all built with white marble. The front elevation shows many of the standard elements of Romanesque architecture, with dozens of round arches surrounded by geometric stonework. Although the church’s exterior has a lot of windows, all of them are small and they don’t provide a lot of natural light. The walls of Pisa Cathedral are the only thing supporting the roof above, and that’s why they had to be built thick and sturdy, with just small openings for windows.
The interior of Pisa Cathedral shows a blend of a few different styles. The arches and columns you see are all romanesque, and they date from the original construction of the cathedral which took place from 1063-1092. But the golden-detailing you see in the coffered ceiling was added later on, during the 17th century. Today the leaning tower of Pisa and Pisa Cathedral bring in millions of visitors every year, and they are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
2. Cathedral of Monreale – Monreale, Sicily, Italy
Much like other churches in Sicily, the Cathedral of Monreale was constructed by the Normans. Its located just outside of the Sicilian capital Palermo and is regarded as one of the greatest churches on the island. Construction began in 1172 and most of the architecture is Norman, although various additions were added in other styles. The church is famous for its Byzantine Mosaics. The church is part of a large grouping of UNESCO Listed sites found throughout the area around Palermo.
The church is famous for its Byzantine Mosaics. These mosaics cost the Normans vast amounts of wealth to build. Not only were the tiles made with fragments of real gold, but the mosaics themselves were also painstakingly assembled by Byzantine Craftsmen, some of whom traveled all the way from the Eastern Mediterranean lands of the Byzantine Empire.
3. San Miniato al Monte – Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Just like Pisa Cathedral, San Miniato al Monte is an incredible Romanesque Church, located in the Italian Region of Tuscany. Work started in the church back in 1013, and today it looks largely the same way it did back in the 11th century. The exterior is richly decorated with white and green marble, in a color scheme similar to that of Florence Cathedral, although the cathedral was built centuries later.
The interior of the church features more intricate stonework, with colored marble to match the exterior. The church also features a wooden roof, which was the main material used for the roofs of early Romanesque buildings. The beams and joists are all richly decorated with painted geometric designs. Although San Miniato al Monte is one of the smaller churches in Florence, it’s still an incredible work of Romanesque Architecture in a city mostly known for its Renaissance buildings.
4. Speyer Cathedral – Speyer, Rhinlenad-Palatinate, Germany
Speyer Cathedral is a Romanesque Cathedral located in southwestern Germany. Construction on the cathedral began in 1030, and the exterior is built with a distinct red sandstone. Most of the church is from the later stages of the Romanesque age, but the Narthex and the front facade of the were both added in the 19th century. The work was done in a Neo-Romanesque fashion, which gives the church a pretty cohesive appearance.
The interior of the Speyer Cathedral features one of the tallest naves from the Romanesque Age. The church also features a Barrel Vault, which was an important innovation in Romanesque Architecture, which evolved into the Gothic Ribbed Vault. Speyer Cathedral and the city of Speyer itself were both repeatedly involved in the conflict of the 30 Years’ War, but despite these turbulent times, the church is still remarkably preserved considering its incredible age.
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5. Basilica of Saint-Sernin – Toulouse, Occitanie, France
While Speyer Cathedral in Germany may be the largest Romanesque cathedral in the world, the title of the largest Romanesque building in the world goes to the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in France. The church was constructed from 1080-1120 and was originally part of a much larger abbey. The interior features a vaulted roof made of stone, which was a huge technological achievement over the flat wooden ceilings you will find on many other Romanesque buildings. Additionally, the stone vault was a huge leap forward in fire protection.
6. Trier Cathedral – Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Trier Cathedral stands on the foundation of several Roman buildings that were built in the 4th century CE. The majority of the church that is seen today dates from the 11th century from 1016-1041. The church is famous for its several towers which were often replicated in other Romanesque buildings throughout Europe.
7. Maria Laach Abbey – Andernach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Abbeys and Monasteries were some of the wealthiest and most powerful establishments of the middle ages. All of that wealth and power often resulted in fantastic architecture. Maria Laach Abbey in Germany is one of the most cohesive examples of Romanesque Architecture in Europe. The exterior is particularly void of other building styles, unlike other churches on this list.
8. Ca’ Loredan and Ca’ Farsetti – Venice, Veneto, Italy
During the chaos and instability that followed the collapse of the Roman Empire, a group of refugees began a small settlement in the Venetian Lagoon. By the early middle ages, their settlement grew into one of the most powerful cities in all of Europe, Venice. Venice was the capital of the mighty Republic of Venice, a maritime republic that controlled most of the trade in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. The Ca’ Loredan and Ca’ Farsetti, are two incredible works of Romanesque architecture that were financed by this impressive trade network. They are located right next to one another overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice.
9. Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has a long and complicated history, stretching from the time of the Roman Empire all the way until today. Much of the church is built in a distinct Romanesque Style and dates from the 12th-13th century. The Crusaders, who took the city of Jerusalem in the year 1099, renovated and added to the church giving it its distinct Romanesque appearance.
10. Lund Cathedral – Lund, Scania, Sweden
Lund Cathedral is the only Romanesque building on this list located in Scandinavia. The church was built in the early 12th century and remains one of the oldest stone buildings in all of Sweden. At the time it was built, Lund was ruled by Denmark so it can technically be seen as a work of Danish Romanesque Architecture.
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11. Cefalù Cathedral – Cefalù, Sicily, Italy
The Normans, which also controlled parts of modern-day France and England, conquered Sicily and southern Italy in the early middle ages. They created important works of Norman architecture there, which is a subcategory within Romanesque architecture. Not only was the church built as a place of worship, but the architects also designed it as a fortification to help defend the town from invaders. Today, Cefalù Cathedral is the most notable landmark in the city of Cefalù and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12. Parma Cathedral – Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Another incredible Romanesque church is Parma Cathedral in Italy. Begun in 1059, the cathedral contains a separate baptistery, church, and bell tower. This was a similar design to many other churches in Italy. The baptisteries, in particular, were kept separate because no one was allowed to enter the church until after their baptism.
13. Vézelay Abbey – Vézelay, Burgundy, France
The Vézelay Abbey was constructed over a 30 year period from 1120 to 1150. One of the more ornamental churches on this list, the front elevation features multiple stone statues and sculptures. Traditionally, Romanesque buildings only had sculptures in the portal of the church. (the part directly over the main entrance, also known as the Tympanum) But Vézelay Abbey is known for having additional details throughout.
14. Aachen Cathedral – Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Aachen Cathedral is one of the greatest Romanesque Cathedrals on this list. The building was built by the great Charlemagne. Charlemagne is regarded as the most influential ruler of the early middle ages. He was able to create a massive empire that stretched through modern-day France, Germany, and Italy. Charlemagne often ruled from Aachen and was responsible for a large portion of Aachen Cathedral.
15. Tower of London – London, England, United Kingdom
William the conqueror was the Duke of Normandy during the early 11th century. He gained his nickname after he crossed the English Channel and defeated the previous ruler of England to become the first Norman King of England. To help maintain control of his new kingdom, William began construction on the Tower of London. Overlooking the Thames River in London, the building is a great example of a Romanesque style fortification.
Romanesque Architecture Today
Although not as popular as it was at the end of the 19th century, Romanesque Architecture still lives on today in the form of the Romanesque Revival Style. A great example of a Neo Romanesque building is the Fisherman’s Bastion located in Budapest, Hungary.
During the early 19th century, the Neo-Classical style became extremely popular. It was utilized by several world powers to construct important government buildings that recalled the power and strength of the Ancient Roman government system.
Ironically, just as Romanesque architecture evolved from the architecture of the Roman Empire, Neo-Romanesque became quite popular in the aftermath of the golden age of Neo-Classical architecture.
Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a term coined to describe the distinct Romanesque Revival buildings of H.H. Richardson and other American Architects in the late 19th century. Some of the most notable works are Trinity Church in Boston as well as the Winn Memorial Library in Woburn Massachusetts.
Although much different thanks to new technologies in masonry construction, Richardsonian Romanesque utilizes many of the distinct principles of Romanesque architecture. The heavy and bulky forms, paired with the rounded arches greatly resemble the Romanesque buildings that were popular in Europe during the middle ages.
Romanesque Architecture’s Legacy
Architecture as a whole was greatly influenced by the Romanesque style. Romanesque architecture represents a clear link to the architecture of the Roman Empire and Gothic Architecture.
So many of Europe’s greatest cathedrals were built in the Gothic style, and all of the innovations that made those buildings possible were learned during the Romanesque period.
- About the Author
- Rob Carney, the founder and lead writer for Architecture of Cities has been studying the history of architecture for over 15 years.
- He is an avid traveler and photographer, and he is passionate about buildings and building history.
- Rob has a B.S. and a Master’s degree in Architecture and has worked as an architect and engineer in the Boston area for 10 years.
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