Week 8: DRAFT

Week 8: DRAFT

Question: How do Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals express different understandings about religious 

theology?

            In life, there are so many things that affect people’s decisions and actions that they never even realize. The Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals were enormously affected by the political and social situation of their time, as well as, the theological views expressed by those people. Outside forces impacted how these buildings were constructed. Religion, though, was largely a part of what the cathedral’s stood for. The designs of the cathedrals tell you a lot about the peoples’ faith. Both kinds of cathedrals were highly depended on the current political situations, but still deeply reflected the theological virtues of the people and both have important religious meanings. (Both Kinds of cathedral’s architecture was only dependent on the current situation of their locations and their political problems instead of theological reasons.)

            The Romanesque cathedrals appear often like fortresses. They were built to in part be a place for the community to go for safety when the Vikings or other invaders would attack because of the political unrest. In the pictures, of the exterior and interior of the cathedrals, the walls are found to be built to withstand attacks and stand strong like a fortress (Figure 4 and Figure 5). The style seen there is typical Romanesque style architecture. In the exterior picture, it even show towers which can be used to fight back against enemies and high windows for protection. Also, in the interior, the same thickness, roughness is found. The theological side can also be seen inside. During the Romanesque period of time, people were focused on the coming of the judgment day. Therefore, their religious places reflected that. Romanesque reflected those religious views; therefore it expressed understandings of religion and theological virtues, as well as, the political situation.

            Gothic cathedrals, constructed after the Romanesque period, had a different completely different view cosmetically, but still in the end also represented theological and religious understandings. Pictures below demonstrate the openness and large illuminated windows found in the Gothic cathedrals (Figure 1 and Figure 2). In these pictures, the Gothic cathedrals are noticeably more decorative. These seem to be more in depth and have more religious pictures all around. Extravagant windows and large pictures really make these cathedrals distinct form the Romanesque cathedrals. The focus of religion by this point in history was letting the light of God into their lives. You see this displayed again especially in those large windows that cathedrals were unable to have in the Romanesque period due to imposing invaders. Theology can be clearly seen in play in Gothic cathedrals, in addition to the every present social and political situations ever present touch on the church.

            One key point that has determined the difference between the two styles of cathedrals and architecture is the windows. In the first picture, Romanesque windows are viewed (Figure 6), but in the other picture Gothic windows are seen (Figure 3). The Romanesque windows are high and up away from the ground helping to create the fortress and tough feel Romanesque cathedrals bring. The theological idea of judgment day, strongly observed at this time backed this up. It may have encouraged people of that time to always look up to God and forward to the future. The gothic windows were open and let tons of light in supporting their message of letting god’s light into their lives. These windows represent what their religion was all about. Something, that was as simple as the windows, was designed in a way that even a theological understanding could be found in it.

            Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals express to people and understanding about theology, religion, and showed them the major beliefs they had. These cathedrals also had practical political and social uses, but they still gave religious meanings more importantly as well. While Romanesque cathedrals appear as fortresses that it was, they were designed with the religious thoughts on judgment day; the gothic cathedrals were built for that time, but also showed its theology of opening up to God’s light. Both had a religious presence in their architecture. Therefore, Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals express understandings about religious theology, though they may be different.

Appendix

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Bibliography

Figure 1 - Saint Michel et Gudule de Bruxelles, facade, 13^th to 15^th century, http://commons.wiki media.org/wiki/File:Saints-Michel-et-Gudule_Luc_Viatour.jpg, photograph taken in 2008.

Figure 2 – Duomo di Orvieto, facade, 14^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duo mo_of_Orvieto.jpg, photograph taken in 2005.

Figure 3 – Minden Cathedral, windows, 14^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20 10-10-24_Minden,_Dom_014.jpg, photograph taken in 2010.

Figure 4 – Celles, facade, 5^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celles_JPG00.jpg , photograph taken in 2005.

Figure 5 – Église de Saint Saturnin, interior, 7^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Romanesque_church_inside,_Saint-Saturnin,_Auvergne,_France.jpg, photography taken in2004.

Figure 6 – Minden Cathedral, windows, 14^th century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/File:2010-10-24_Minden,_Dom_037.jpg, photograph taken in 2010.