Romanesque

I. Introduction
• Romanesque architecture, architectural style current in Europe from about the
mid-11th century to the advent of Gothic architecture. A fusion of Roman,
Carolingian, and Ottonian, Byzantine, and local Germanic traditions, it was a
product of the great expansion of monasticism in the 10th–11th century.
a. Brief Description of the Structure
• San Pedro Avila - Its construction began in 1100, at around the same time as
the basilica of San Vicente. It was built in Romanesque style. The most
striking feature of the façade is its Cistercian rose window. The church has
three naves and a triple apse. The exterior is also marked by a great square
tower, from the same period.
b. Location and Vicinity
• Plaza de Sta. Teresa de Jesus, Ávila, Spain Map
II. Materials Used
a. Prominent Materials used in Construction (Exterior and Interior)
b. Construction Techniques and Technology (if any)
It has a triple upper end with an apse on each nave and a magnificent collection of
sculptures showing plant, animal and geometric motifs and scenes from the Bible.
The ceilings were covered with barrel and groined vaults in the 13th century. Over
time, the arches became forerunners to those used in the Gothic period. Finally, a
tower was built on the place where the central nave intersects with the transept.
The main front has two bodies: the upper body is dominated by a large rose window
and the lower body has a porch in which the size of the entrance is magnified by six
plain archivolts. The southern porch is similar but smaller in size. The northern
entrance is more ornamental and molded with five archivolts, two of which are
decorated with typical Ávila-style rosettes. The interior stands out thanks to the
panels distributed around the walls of the nave, the Renaissance-style altars, and the
altarpiece in the main chapel, together with its grilles. It was designated a National
Monument in 1914.
III. Architectural Character
a. Plans
b. Elevation
c. Section
d. Ornamentation
e. Design Details
IV. Perspective
Gothic Architecture
I. Introduction
Gothic architecture, architectural style in Europe that lasted from the mid-12th
century to the 16th century, particularly a style of masonry building characterized by
cavernous spaces with the expanse of walls broken up by overlaid tracery.
a. Brief Description of the Structure
• basilica of St. Denis - is a large former medieval abbey church and present
cathedral in the commune of Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris. The
building is of singular importance historically and architecturally as its choir,
completed in 1144, is widely considered the first structure to employ all the
elements of Gothic architecture.
b. Location and Vicinity Map
• 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
•
II. Materials Used
a. Prominent Materials used in Construction (Exterior and Interior)
• The basilica is built out of travertine stone and measures 220 m (750 ft) in
length, 150 m (500 ft) in width, and covers an area of more than 5 acres. St.
Peter's is approached via St. Peter's Square, a forecourt encircled by a Doric
colonnade derived from Greek architecture.
• Initially the nave of St-Denis had mosaic walls, a low wood roof and marble
columns.
• With the building campaign of 1135 Abbot Suger(1081-1151) created the first
church in the gothic style. St-Denis relates to the thin wall Parisian churches of
St-Germain-des-Pres, St-Martin-des-Champs, and St-Pierre-de-Montmartre, as
well as to Norman churches such as the 1120 church of St-Martin-de-
Boscherville with its rib and groin vaults, applied colonnettes and bay system,
and Durham with its the buttress experimentation of the 1090s. Additionally
St-Denis relates to Paray-le-Monial, St-Germain-de-Fly, St-Martin-des-
Champs (Paris, 1140s) which experimented with the stiffening of masonry
arches. The incorporation of older columns and stone from Gallo-Roman
buildings creates references to Rome and the Gallo-Roman past of France. The
ambulatory was to assist with circulation.
• Apparently the first vaults of Suger's choir collapsed and were replaced within
a hundred years - the original piers may not have been substantial enough to
 bear the weight. The thin ambulatory columns were installed as part of Suger's
campaign, 1140-1144, and the thicker choir columns were presumably
required after the collapse, c. 1231.
b. Construction Techniques and Technology (if any)
III. Architectural Character
a. Plans

b. Elevation
c. Section
d. Ornamentation
e. Design Details
IV. Perspective
Renaissance Architecture
I. Introduction
• Renaissance architecture originated in Italy and superseded the Gothic style
over a period generally defined as 1400 to 1600. Features of Renaissance
buildings include the use of the classical orders and mathematically precise
ratios of height and width combined with a desire for symmetry, proportion,
and harmony.
a. Brief Description of the Structure
• Basilica of Sant'Andrea, Mantua - The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is a Roman
Catholic co-cathedral and minor basilica in Mantua, Lombardy (Italy). It is
one of the major works of 15th-century Renaissance architecture in Northern
Italy. Commissioned by Ludovico III Gonzaga, the church was begun in 1472
according to designs by Leon Battista Alberti on a site occupied by a
Benedictine monastery, of which the bell tower (1414) remains. The building,
however, was only finished 328 years later. Though later changes and
expansions altered Alberti's design, the church is still considered to be one of
Alberti's most complete works. It looms over the Piazza Mantegna.
b. Location and Vicinity Map
• The Basilica of Sant'Andrea is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral and minor
basilica in Mantua, Lombardy (Italy).
•
II. Materials Used
a. Prominent Materials used in Construction (Exterior and Interior)
• It is largely a brick structure with hardened stucco used for the surface. It is
defined by a large central arch, flanked by Corinthian pilasters.
b. Construction Techniques and Technology (if any)
III. Architectural Character
a. Plans
b. Elevation
c. Section
d. Ornamentation
e. Design Details
IV. Perspective