Romanesque and Gothic Architecture - Essay Example

Romanesque architecture was a style of architecture that was simplistic in nature, while Gothic architecture was more complex when compared to the Romanesque style of architecture. Thus, Romanesque architecture was primitive, while Gothic architecture was more modern relative to Romanesque architecture.

Though the degree varied, Romanesque and Gothic architecture were both based on the conviction that the union with the celestial is achieved through insight. Romanesque architecture is a style that shows more interest in the things of the past than Gothic architecture.

Romanesque architecture and Gothic architecture were two styles of building design that there was a prevalence of imagination over formal rules and reason. In terms of flamboyance, Gothic architecture is more flamboyant than Romanesque architecture and it is due to this that Gothic architecture is considered as one of the most exceptional artistic eras in Europe’s history (Bishop).

One style that is common to Romanesque and Gothic architecture is the construction of networks, which were archetypes of Gothic and Romanesque cathedral porticoes. One building design that combines the Romanesque and the Gothic architectural style is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Belgium that was constructed in 1171. The towers and the wings of the church, which are in the left of the church and the nave, are in the Romanesque style, while the choir, which is on the right part of the cathedral, is in the Gothic style (Kleiner & Mamiya).

Romanesque architecture helped to improve the construction of arches and vaults. It was Romanesque architecture that contributed to the development of stone-vaulted buildings. Romanesque architecture helped to substitute the flammable wooden roofs of the pre-Romanesque architecture era with the masonry vaulting that guaranteed more fire protection to its inhabitants (Matthews & Platt 244-245). Just like Romanesque architecture replaced the structures of the pre-Romanesque era, Gothic architecture was an improvement in the works of the Romanesque architects. It is worthy to note that one of the transitions of Romanesque architecture into Gothic architecture is in the area of the masonry structure. It was the Gothic architects that helped to completely contain the thrusts of the vaults by the use of buttresses and isolated piers (Matthews & Platt 248-249).

Romanesque architecture made use of piers and heavy walls through their construction of vaults, while the thick walls of Romanesque architecture were replaced by light and thinner walls in Gothic architecture. The Gothic architects replaced the heavy walls of the Romanesque architects with thinner walls that had glass windows in them and this represents a major transition from Romanesque architecture to Gothic architecture. This revolution in building technique enabled the interior of the Gothic structures to attain unparalleled heights. It should be noted that the stained glass windows of Gothic architecture were also as dark as those of Romanesque architecture. Gothic architecture also adopted the Romanesque chevet plan of building design that had radiating chapels. The Gothic style elaborated this style to suit their purpose (Bishop).

Thus, the similarities and the differences between Romanesque and Gothic architecture have been clearly established. The Gothic architecture replaced Romanesque architecture and it is therefore not unusual for the Gothic architects to improve on the works of the Romanesque architects.