Design features of the Medieval Period

Fall of Rome dated on 400 CE was at once nucleusArabic Lombard and Norman elements.
new emperor – Byzantine. Acceptation ofIn France Romanesque style was known also as a
Christianity as an official religion by Constantine I (272Norman, which was characterised by various types
– 337 CE, Roman Emperor from 306, Byzantineof vaulting, for example one of the most interesting
Emperor from 330 CE), in ‘Edict of Milan’ invariations was in Burgundy were Norman architects
313 CE and relocation of new empire’s capital toon the basis of Lombardian method created style
Constantinople changed Roman order inwith groined vaults supported by flying buttresses,
contemporary world for ever. Strangled for agesused for the first time at St Denis, where we can
new religion – Christianity after all exploded, laidrecognize as a prototypical gothic.
the foundation of new world. Everything forbiddenGerman Romanesque had usually large scale, was
became lawful. In architecture such as in other aspectvery high and had an apse or sanctuary from both
of medieval lifestyle new religion ruled abovesides, many of additional round or octagonal towers
everything else. These changes are illustrated bygave sometimes picturesque appearance.
churches through early period of Christianity byIn England, before 10th century, most of the
Byzantine and Romanesque to Gothic. Well known inchurches in Romanesque style were made from
ancient world basilica, which was a public building, waswood, after that, between 10th and 11th century,
given a part more official then general site of the lifefrom stone but generally it was smaller and less
of simple citizens. Because Christianity was commonimpressive then rest of Europe.
religion religious objects turned into public places. OnFinal period of medieval ages was Gothic; originality
the beginning of early Christianity ( 2nd - 6th CE)came from France which evolved from Romanesque
architectural basilica consisted of high central nave,style in 12th century called ‘the French
two or four aisles, transept on the end with semistyle’, and was succeeding to 16th century.
– circular apse and atrium. The great examples ofDown of this style is dated with reconstruction of
this architecture are Old St Peter’s basilica inAbbey Church of St Denis (circa 1130 CE), mentioned
Rome(319 – 335 CE) or next St Apollinaire inbefore, next, cathedrals of Sens (1140 CE), Noyons
Classe in Ravenna (530 – 549 CE), after that(1150 CE) and Paris (1163 CE). Groundbreaking and
reconstructed with byzantine elements. Marble floorsrecognisable sign at once of gothic was pointed arch
were decorated with patterns, naves and aisles waswhich was evolution of existing in Romanesque style
divided by lines of columns and ceiling was made ofgroin vault which gave different variation of vault
wood, buildings were heavy – set with not manycalled ribbed vault This construction technique and
quantity rather small sized windows. In comparisonother, which was logical consequence of it, such as
with early byzantine basilicas were planed octagonal,pier buttress and flying buttress allowed the buildings
sometimes Greek cross, vaulted interiors with domedto grow very high. In graciles and higher churches
ceilings, walls were richly decorated in colorfulbegan to use big colour-fully glassed windows called
pictures, in most cases mosaics. Apart from Ststained glass window Gothic had brought not only
Mark’s, Venice (c. 1050) and St. Vitale, Ravennaimproved building techniques, but also woodwork,
(532-48 CE) flagship example is Hagia Sophia (532-metalwork and other aspects of art. Thus, sacred
537 CE) in Constantinople. Indubitable influence forobjects were fully sophisticated, rich objects,
byzantine architecture was Islamic art not only inmonumental sculptures, liturgical paraphernalia,
architectural aspects such as, for example,candelabras, embroidered textiles, pictures on the
Ottoman’s mosques. Harmonious with Islamic artwalls arranged in form called triptych Charming,
brick and stone walls was turned into many differentstoned interiors, full of imagery, filled with wooden
patterns. Great space inside, rich decorations withand steel furniture and other elements, illuminated
oriental influence and small windows gave holly,coloured rays of light merged with candle lights gave
mystical atmosphere. At the same time as theimpression of power of God. Despite French roots,
byzantine style in the East, and West Europe,gothic spread across the whole Europe. The closest
between 10th and 12th century, other style inFrench gothic was English counterpart where extra
architecture had developed which was calledribs in vaulting were very commonly used, like in
Romanesque (next evolved into the Gothic) that weExeter Cathedral in Devon (1328 – 1348 CE) or
can translate as ‘similar to Roman’. Featuresmost spectacularly in King’s College Chapel in
of this style were combined Western Roman andCambridge (1446 – 1515  CE). Nevertheless great
Byzantine. Main distinctive feature of this style wasexamples of gothic churches can be found in majority
development of stone vaulted buildings whichof European countries. It is worth to mention Italian
replaced wooden roofs and as a consequence it wasgothic because this style was particular, even if
necessary to apply massive walls with piers. In ordervertical arrangement was never priority. Most of
for objects to be steady and save interior spacecharacteristic for French gothic features was used in
was divided into smaller units called bays. The navesmaller scale and in different ways.
compared with previous pattern was higher and‘The principle of the Gothic architecture is infinity
narrower and window was bigger and slim  to givemade imaginable.’
vertical impression. In particular countries RomanesqueSamuel Taylor Coleridge
churches had their own character.If the legacy of ancient world was Roman art, by
In Italy were several different varieties ofwhich the next epoch was inspired, as a continuity of
Romanesque style: in Lombardy objects had groinedGreek heritage we can say that generally middle ages
vaulting and heavy proportions, in central Italy morewere not the period which could bring lot of art but
classical elements were used and in southern partlast part of it - gothic would be interesting legacy for
style was very rich combining Byzantine, Roman,next generations.