Medieval architecture was theart and science of designing and constructing buildings in theMiddle Ages. The major styles of the period includedpre-Romanesque,Romanesque, andGothic. In the fifteenth century, architects began to favourclassical forms again, in theRenaissance style, marking the end of the medieval period. Many examples of religious, civic, and military architecture from the Middle Ages survive throughout Europe.
The pre-Romanesque period lasted from the beginning of the Middle Ages (around 500 AD) to the emergence of the Romanesque style (from the 10th century). Much of the notable architecture from the period comes from France and Germany, under theMerovingians and theCarolingians and theOttonians. Other regions also have examples of architecture from this period, includingCroatia,England andIberia (especially inAsturias andLeón). In Lombardy, the pre-Romanesque style included many Romanesque features and is therefore known as theFirst Romanesque.[1]
The Romanesque style was predominant across Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries. It is characterized by rounded arches, bybarrel orgroin vaulting and by thick walls. The first and greatest patrons of Romanesque architecture came from the Church, especially monastic traditions such asCluniacs and theCistercians, but examples ofRomanesque civic and military buildings survive.[1][2]
The term 'Romanesque' (literally meaning 'in the manner of the Romans') was first used to describe the style in 1819.[3] Although the style did draw onancient Roman architecture, it was ultimately an original style and had a wider range of influences than the name suggests.[2]
Examples of Romanesque architecture surviveacross Europe, including inEngland,France,Germany,Italy,Spain, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.[1]
The Gothic style was predominant across Europe between the late 12th century and the end of the Middle Ages in the 15th century. The key feature of Gothic architecture is pointed arches. Other features, includingrib vaulting, exteriorbuttresses, elaboratetracery andstained glass, are commonly found in Gothic architecture. The choir of theBasilica of Saint-Denis in France, completed in 1144, is considered to be the first wholly Gothic building, combining all of these elements.[4][5]
The term 'Gothic' (literally meaning 'in the manner of theGoths') was first used in the 16th century byGiorgio Vasari. However, the Goths, an ancient Germanic people, had no influence on the Gothic style. The Gothic style actually evolved from Romanesque architecture in France. A number ofother factors and styles may have influenced early Gothic architecture. Architecture that combines elements of both the Romanesque and Gothic styles is sometimes referred to asRomano-Gothic.[4]
Scholars have divided Gothic architecture into a number of different periods:Early Gothic in the 12th century,High Gothic (similar toClassic Gothic) in the 13th century, and Late Gothic from the 14th century. During the High Gothic period,Rayonnant was the primary style in France andDecorated was the main style in England. In the Late Gothic period,Flamboyant was the primary style in France (and Spain) andPerpendicular was the main style in England. Although from the 15th century the Gothic style was replaced byRenaissance architecture, marking the end of the Middle Ages and medieval architecture, there wereGothic Revival andRomanesque Revival movements in the nineteenth century.[4]
Bothreligious andsecular examples of medieval Gothic architecture survive, notably a number ofcathedrals. Examples surviveacross Europe, including inBelarus,Czechia,England,France,Italy,Lithuania, theLow Countries,Poland,Portugal, Scandinavia, andSpain. Each country developed a unique style of Gothic architecture, as did many smaller regions, includingSouthern France,Milan,Venice,Catalonia,Levante, andValencia. TheBrick Gothic style was widespreadaround the Baltic and in North Germany. Towards the end of the Gothic period, a number of new regional styles emerged, often incorporating elements of Renaissance architecture. These include thePlateresque in Spain,Isabelline in Castile,Manueline in Portugal, andSondergotik around Germany.[4]
Many surviving medieval buildings originally served a religious purpose. The architecture of the buildings depended on the religion it served, the region it was located in, and the styles during the time. For example, mosques often haddomes, whereas churches usually had bell towers. Although some examples of medievalsynagogues andmosques survive, particularly in Spain, Christian churches and monasteries are the most common survival throughout Europe.
A number of different types of medieval church survive: parish churches, such as inYork; cathedral churches; such as acrossEngland; and abbey churches, such as acrossEngland. Most surviving churches arein the Gothic style, and share a number of features — stained glass, vaulting, buttresses, and an altar at the east end. Churches usually took theshape of a cross, with anave,chancel,transepts andaisles.[6] Churches often had reliquaries to display precious relics.[7] Their design often had religious symbolism, such asSunday Christ paintings and biblical narratives in stained glass.[8] The surviving churches are almost entirely made out of stone.
Surviving examples of medievalsecular architecture mainly served for defense, these includeforts,castles,tower houses, andfortified walls. Fortifications were built during the Middle Ages to display the power of the lords of the land and reassure common folk in their protection of property and livelihood.[9] In the early Middle Ages, fortifications were made from wood and earth, these were calledMotte and bailey castles. These consist of astockade orpalisade surrounding an enclosed courtyard and man-made mound. This fortification acted as a passive obstacle that potential enemies would have to face to attack the civilization. However, this method of fortification had its downside including being vulnerable to fires so more methods of fortification were created.
Military architecture began to start being created with stone in the11th century, it was also used to indicate wealth and power of the area protected with it. Stone was much more durable and was fireproof. They also began to adopt the use of cylindrical ground plans. There were many benefits to a cylindrical shape, it reduced blindspots, they were more resistant.[10] Some examples of cylindrical fortifications are thegate towers atHarlech Castle and theTour des Pénitents.
Medieval Fortifications also displayed many different defensive elements including,hoardings, loopholes or crosslets, andmoats. Hoarding and loopholes were both beneficial for thearchers or missile throwers, allowing them to see their targets better. Windows gained a cross-shape for more than decorative purposes, they provided a perfect fit for acrossbowman to shoot invaders from inside safely.Moats were used as a defensive mechanism for keeping attackers further away from the fort, while most were kept dry, moats were much more effective when wet.[11]
While much of the surviving medieval architecture is either religious or military, examples of civic and even domestic architecture can be found throughout Europe. Examples includemanor houses,town halls,almshouses and bridges, but also residential houses. Walled towns were constructed across Europe, including inAustria.The Civic landscape of Europe was built up of the crown, the church,guilds,mayors, and the elite. It was also largely running off of ceremonies that connected these relationships.[12] The examples of the civic architecture mentioned in the last paragraph were mostly owned by the elite or government buildings. For example,manor houses were owned bybishops and located closely in relation to churches. These buildings, due to their higher class ownership, were more large in scale with elements that displayed wealth.[13] They also provide an insight into the social history of the area it sits in through its architecture due to them adapting throughout the years to accommodate what the owner needed most.[14] Majority of these buildings were made of stone while some were also wood framed.[15]
