How do Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals express different understandings about religious theology? (Final Draft)

            The transformation from Romanesque architecture to Gothic architecture was significant to history. In the 12^th century, the evolution occurred. There were many changes to the architectural design in the churches and buildings. The fact that there were changes resulted in the differences between Romanesque and Gothic churches. Romanesque and Gothic churches express and represent different understandings about religious theology during the time that they were built. 

            Romanesque architecture in churches began in the ninth century. It is very similar to Roman architecture. Cathedrals with Romanesque architecture had round arches around their doors, small windows, and big, round columns. They are generally symmetrical. There were no windows on the first floor for safety from the outside world. St. Philibert’s Church, an abbey in France, is a great representation of Romanesque architecture. The interior of St. Philibert’s Church shows enormous columns along the walkway to the altar (see figure 1). It also shows round arches along the ceiling of the church. The way that buildings were made was very similar to the spiritual life that people had in this time period. In the Romanesque Cathedrals, people secured themselves for the coming of judgment and fortifying of their souls. The cathedrals were like a fortress for the town and soul. Another church in Romanesque architecture is the Schoengrabern church. The Schoengrabern church is round and has barely any windows (see figure 2). It shows how private the Romanesque churches seemed to be. It is very plain and hides the interior.

            The Gothic Cathedrals were made very different than the Romanesque Cathedrals. They have stained glass windows that let in a lot of light, thin walls, elegant and sophisticated pillars, and pointed arches. Flying buttresses were introduced during this time. Since the Vikings had stopped invading, the Gothic churches had become the most important places in the community. They went along with the government system. People spent a lot more money on these churches to make them attractive. An example of a Gothic Cathedral is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France (see figure 3). The Notre Dame Cathedral has pointy arches and big windows. The windows are in many different shapes. Gothic architecture in cathedrals express that people had a new idea of letting light in. The Sainte-Chapelle also interprets Gothic architecture (see figure 4). It resides in Paris, France. The Sainte-Chapelle has beautiful stained glass windows that take up most of the walls of the building. They represent the change of theology. Architects learned new methods and ultimately changed the perception of these churches. The windows are very thin and colorful.

            There were obviously many changes made during the transformation from the Romanesque Cathedrals to the Gothic Cathedrals. Ideas of theology had changed drastically. Saint Étienne Church is an exemplary model of a Romanesque Cathedral. It has two symmetrical towers in the front (see figure 5). It has round arches and small window, just like a regular Romanesque Cathedral. Romanesque Cathedrals and churches were a lot older, and Gothic Cathedrals and churches were more modern. Romanesque churches have flat buttresses, while Gothic Cathedrals have flying buttresses. The Salisbury Cathedral has flying buttresses (see figure 6). In between the windows, there are flying buttresses. The Salisbury Cathedral is in England and it is Gothic architecture.

            Romanesque and Gothic churches represent religious theology by their guise. The different structures built inside and outside of the churches show changes in the architecture that model the messages sent about the religion at that time. When Romanesque churches were first being built, Christianity appeared to be about fortifying the soul and securing for the coming of judgment. Gothic architecture was about letting the light shine. Catholicism had evolved into a more accepting and open religion, and it is shown in the appearance and mood of the architecture in the Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals and churches. 

Appendix:

Figure 1

Church of St. Philibert, interior, 11^th century,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tournus_43_.jpg, photograph taken in 2008.

Figure 2

Schoengrabern Church, façade, 13^th century,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Schoengrabern1a.JPG, photograph taken in 2007.

Figure 3

Notre Dame de Paris, facade, 13th century, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NotreDameI.jpg, photograph taken in 2007.

Figure 4

Sainte Chapelle, interior, 13th century, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sainte_chapelle_-_Upper_level.jpg, photograph taken in 2009.

Figure 5

Abbey Church of Saint-Etienne, façade, 11^th century,http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:France_Caen_Saint-Etienne_facade_c.JPG, photograph taken in 2005.

Figure 6

Salisbury Cathedral, façade, 13^th century,http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salisbury_Cathedral_flying_buttresses.JPG, photograph taken in 2010.