ARCHITECTURE OF MEDIEVAL PERIOD

It refers to architectural styles in medieval Europe during the middle ages.

The architecture of structures during the medieval period or middle age in Europe was
predominantly related to the building of sacred infrastructures, example for this are the churches, which
was the primary symbol for signifying and showing their Christian faith. The most prevalent layouts
during the medieval period depicting classic medieval architecture is the Latin Cross in the West and the
central-plan church in the East.

BYZANTINE EMPIRE
While Western Europe diverged radically from the architectural style of classical antiquity, the
Byzantines remained relatively conservative. Byzantine architecture retains a sense of balanced
classical proportions and favors plain, unadorned exterior surfaces. Nonetheless, the Byzantines
developed a unique architectural style, distinguished from that of the Romans primarily by
complex layouts and an exceptional affinity for domes.

HAGIA SOPHIA

The Hagia Sophia demonstrates one possible version of the central-plan layout. Another version
is the cross-in-square plan, which takes the form of a Greek cross with the spaces between the arms "filled
in"; the roof over these spaces is set at a lower level than over the cross. No particular cross-in-square
church stands out as exceptionally famous.
 BASILICA OF SAN VITALE

Church of San Vitale, also called Basilica of San Vitale, church in Ravenna, Italy, that was built in the 6th
century and is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It is especially noted for the
colorful mosaics of Christian iconography that decorate the interior walls and ceilings.

Gothic Architecture
It is the result of multiple generations of influence. Gothic Architecture is characterized by ribbed
vault, pointed arch and flying buttresses. Spanning from the mid-12th century to the late 16th century, this
style of architecture flourished during the high and late medieval period. With time it developed from the
Romanesque architecture, which later evolved into Renaissance architecture.

There are seven key characteristics of Gothic architecture, which include:

• Grand, Tall Designs

• The Flying Buttress
• The Pointed Arch
• The Vaulted Ceiling
• The Light and Airy Interior
• The Gargoyles of Gothic Architecture
• The Emphasis on the Decorative Designs and the Ornate

MILAN CATHEDRAL
The Milan Cathedral, otherwise known as Duomo di Milano in Italian, is the largest Gothic cathedral in
the world. Some people feel that as the construction progressed over the centuries, its style shifted to be
more similar to Renaissance. In any case, the Milan Cathedral is considered to be one of the most famous
churches in the world.

LEUVAN TOWN HALL

The present impressive town hall of Leuven is the third one and construction started in 1439. It is a
building in Gothic style with four corner turrets, two ridge turrets and a balustrade around the building.

The building has only three floors (although from the outside one would expect a few more floors). There
are a few hundred statues in the many niches around the building and around the turrets. Some statues
represent biblical figures, other statues scholars, eminent citizens, artists, judges, dukes of Brabant etc.
There is even an image of Napoleon and one of the Belgian kings.

GARGOYLES
Gargoyles are one element that horror movies use to make their movies extra frightening. Even some
animated movies use them to emphasize that the villain lives where the gargoyles are.
They are highly ornate water spouts that drain the water from rooftops away from the walls of the
building and off of the roofs. Draining the water away helps prevent water damage. The word gargoyle
comes from the old French word gargouille, meaning throat. Plus, they made a gurgling noise as they spit
out rain water.

Gargoyle on the roof of Notre Dame de Paris

Dragon Gargoyle

ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE
Romanesque architecture refers to the use of semi-circular arches in the construction of buildings and
structures done by the first pan-European architect in the European countries. There is no exact date for
when this style was used. Proposals from historians suggest that Romanesque Architecture started in the
6th to the 10th century. Much of its development occurred in the 12th century and was then called the
Gothic style.

The features of Byzantine building and ancient Roman combined to produce an advanced and unique
design at the time. Romanesque architecture is well known for its massive quality, grand vaults, round
arches, thick walls, decorative arcading and large towers. Many castles, palaces, church buildings,
quarters of monasteries and secular houses built during this Romanesque period used this architectural
style.

GURK CATHEDRAL

The 12th century Gurk Cathedral is regarded as the most outstanding example of Romanesque
architecture in Austria. The flat, austere exterior is dominated by twin west towers (135 feet high), to
which onion domes were added in 1682.

AUTUN CATHEDRAL (CATHEDRAL OF ST. LAZARUS)

The Cathédrale St-Lazare (Cathedral of St. Lazarus) is the the most important historical building
in Autun, Burgundy, and one of the most important Romanesque churches in France. Dating from the
mid-12th century with some later Gothic additions, it is especially famed for its splendid sculptures by the
Romanesque master sculptor Gislebertus.