Romanesque Architecture: Features, Church Plans, and Structure

Characteristics of Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque architecture presents a great regional variety, reflecting the artistic traditions of Western Europe. Some regional experiences developed, influenced by the new mentality of the Germanic peoples (pre-Romanesque). From the 11th century onward, a stylistic unity was produced in religious architecture, the Christian church being an institution of devotion with constructions that sought to give solidity and durability.

Monumentality and Durability

Two values guided construction:

• Monumentality: interest in imitating large Roman buildings.
• Durability: the use of robust materials such as cut stone in ashlar blocks.

The Plan of the Church

Two typologies were used:

• Basilican plan: with a transept, an apse with semicircular absides, and porticoes at the entrance.
• Latin cross plan: an enlargement of the transept at both ends. It consists of a central body, one or several naves, longitudinal and transverse. The apse presents chapels that project outward.

Towers: another outstanding element. The bell tower, located in the body of the church, has a symbolic meaning, and its forms are varied.

Under the central nave, a transverse nave (narthex) stands out if it projects (atrium).

Elevation of the Church

The central nave is usually the tallest, which makes it possible to have openings that allow illumination and enable the side aisles to act as buttresses. The tribune is the second floor of the central nave.

Construction Elements

The foundation is usually deep and robust. Stone in regular ashlar blocks is used. The walls are reinforced by buttresses.

Decorative elements: pilasters, blind arcades, corbels, rolled modillions, and engraved cornices, among others.

Vault Systems

Vaults evolve toward stone vaulting. The most widely used is the barrel vault, and in the transept a groin vault is used.

The apses are covered with vaults of centralized plan or with domes on pendentives, and in Spain, crossed-arch domes of Muslim tradition are used. Stone domes on pendentives are also employed.

Internal Support System

Stone roofs are supported by walls reinforced with buttresses, and by pillars and columns. The Romanesque pillar has a square or rectangular section, and its fronts are adorned with engaged colonnettes (baquetones) that collect the weight of the transverse arches supporting the vault, and of the wall arches (formerets).

Facades and Portals

Facades and portals are framed by the towers and concentrate the main decoration. The portals reflect the structure and the disposition of the interior space. They have splayed (abocinadas) forms. The decoration is anthropomorphic and geometric. The doorway may be divided by a trumeau, decorated with vegetal or animal motifs, or with blind arcades that simulate supporting elements.