Number 8

Architecture has always been a major form of art. The Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals took place from roughly the ninth to fourteenth centuries. They played a big role in the different European civilizations. These cathedrals expressed different understanding about religious theology. They also represented how the different buildings affected the worship of Christians. Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals both express different understandings about religious theology, and led the way for the changes and differences in Christianity. 


Romanesque architecture came first, featuring rounded lower domes, columns for main supports, and symmetry. But another big difference between the two types of cathedrals was the size of the windows. Romanesque windows were small, if the Cathedral even included them. It was too much of a threat to the Romans to have big windows because it was an easy-access for enemies. They also did not have windows on the first floor because there was a risk of people invading and the people who prayed were looking for confinement.  The Gothic cathedrals, however, had special stain glass window designs and the walls were thinner in order to install them. One of the main focuses for the Gothic Cathedrals was the amount of light that entered. They had big windows, providing much sunlight to pass through into the church. This difference shows the different concepts each type of cathedral was built around.


In a Romanesque Cathedral, the columns were massive compared to those in the Gothic Cathedrals. This was because of the different styles used. It also shows that protection was extremely important during the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries and that people needed a place for safety. Romanesque columns and walls were much larger and thicker in size, almost looking like castles in the medieval times. Gothic columns were designed thinner for a more elegant look. This shows that Gothic Cathedrals dealt more with design and structure rather than security and support like in Romanesque Cathedrals.


the art of Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals differed on the inside of these two types of cathedrals. The Romanesque cathedral is dark and has a very low ceiling. There were also big murals about Judgment Day with a huge painting of Christ on a throne ready to judge on one of the walls. Romanesque cathedrals also contained beautiful paintings of religious scenes and many columns and domes were lined with religious sculpture figures. The Gothic cathedral, on the other hand, is wide open and bright.  The ceiling is high, and the stained glass windows really let the light in.  The largest window of the Gothic cathedral is known as the rose window. Many religious images would be stained on to these glass windows, providing a great dimension of light and color in to the cathedral. The interior of these cathedrals were often spaced allowing the light of God to shine through.