Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals were built in thousands of different countries and cities throughout Europe. They started in about the 6th century and lasted until about the 16th century. Romanesque Cathedrals and Gothic Cathedrals are extremely different in the way they are built and the designs that they have. Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals both define major differences and beliefs about religious theology in their different ways of architecture.
Romanesque Cathedrals roughly began in about the 6th century and ended in the 10th century; when Gothic Cathedrals began. Romanesque Cathedrals were built more like a bomb shelter than a church. They didn’t have many windows, and they were made out of brick or stone to assure protection against enemies (see figure 1). In case a war would ever break out or an invasion would occur, the cathedrals were the buildings that the people of the town would go to for shelter. Also, many Romanesque Cathedrals were circular or semi-circles (see figure 2). Romanesque Cathedrals were built this way because it allowed more support for the cathedrals, and it also allowed to wall to be thicker and more protective. Romanesque Cathedrals seemed as if they were more for the protection of the people, then the worship of God.
Gothic Cathedrals formed from Romanesque Cathedrals, and lasted from about the 10th century to the 16th century. They were more elaborate and decorative than Romanesque Cathedrals, and they consisted of many windows and beautiful designs (see figure 3). When the Gothic Cathedrals began, the reason for many windows was to allow the light of God in; to be able to let God shine into the Cathedrals and fill the Cathedrals with his presence through the sunlight. Also, these Cathedrals were meant to be noticed and they were meant for the purposes of worship. Gothic Cathedrals couldn’t be missed by anyone, and they had a massive amount of detail and artwork built into them (see figure 4). When Gothic Cathedrals were built, it was obvious that these Cathedrals were meant to show God worship, and not serve the community with protection.
Between Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals, there are extreme differences between the designs and the thought/planning put behind these two types of structures. The architects behind the Romanesque Cathedrals were more focused on safety then they were on appearance. Romanesque Cathedrals were practically plain and simple, and were used strict purposes only (see figure 5). On the other hand, Gothic Cathedrals are the complete opposite. The architects behind the Gothic Cathedrals wanted their Cathedrals to be noticed and they wanted them to be gorgeous. They consisted of high peaks, beautiful sculptures, and colossal stain glass windows (see figure 6).
Both Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals had a huge impact on the medieval time period, but they impacted in different ways. Romanesque Cathedrals showed a darker, more war-like side in history. Gothic Cathedrals showed a more elegant, loving, brighter side in history. Even though both types of Cathedrals are extremely different, they showed the world today how quickly beliefs and virtues can change.
Figure 1 - Xhignesse
Figure 2- The rotunde of Saint George
Figure 5- Castañeda
Figure 6- Cathedral of St Etienne of Bourges
GRANDMONT, Jean-Pol (Producer). (2005). Xhignesse JPG02.jpg [Web]. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xhignesse_JPG02.jpg
Borak, Matt (Producer). (2005). Rotunde-of-St.-George-at-Rip.jpeg [Web]. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rotunde-of-St.-George-at-Rip.jpeg
(2006). Cathedral of Amiens front.jpg [Web]. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_of_Amiens_front.jpg
(2002). MailaenderDom.jpg [Web]. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MailaenderDom.jpg
(2005). Castañeda2.jpg [Web]. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Casta%C3%B1eda2.jpg
(2005). Bourges - 002 - Low Res.jpg [Web]. Available from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bourges_-_002_-_Low_Res.jpg
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