Romanesque+Architecture

= = = = =Romanesque Architecture= == Romanesque architecture was most popular from 1000-1150, although there were some churches built using the Romanesque style in 1200. Romanesque architecture’s most popular time was between 1075 and 1125. After Romanesque architecture there came Gothic has thinner walls, more windows, and more intricate decorations. Throughout Europe there were different kinds of Romanesque Architecture, there was Burgundian Romanesque, Cistercian Romanesque, and Norman Romanesque. Burgundian Romanesque buildings are taller, have more complicated sculptures, pointed arches, g rouped piers, and early forms of rib vaulting and flying buttresses (Romanesque Architecture). Cistercian Romanesque buildings are simple, have round arches, short ceilings, and no sculptures (Romanesque Architecture). Norman Romanesque buildings are long, large, and carved geometric decoration (Romanesque Architecture). The basic characteristics of Romanesque architecture are: (Romanesque Architecture)
 * similar proportions
 * stone materials
 * thick and heavy pillars
 * small windows
 * round arches supporting the roof
 * nave with side aisles
 * a transept (section crossing the nave at a right angle, giving the church a cross shape)
 * an apse (semicircular niche, usually in the east end)
 * an ambulatory (often with radiating chapels) around the apse
 * multiple towers, usually at the west end over the transept crossing
 * sculptured decoration

=Mont Saint Michel= ==

The Mont Saint Michel is an abbey located on an island at the mouth of the Couesnon River and is about one kilometer off the coast of France. The Mont Saint Michel went through many different renovations. Today it is actually considered Gothic architecturally designed building. Although the first designs of it were Romanesque. It is said that the archangel Michel came to Saint Aubert, who was the bishop of The Mont Saint Michel began to be built in 1017 and the last renovations were done in 1527. The first designs were done by the architect William de Volpiano. This was a very simple Romanesque basilica design, it was finished in 1144. This was used as a “sanctuary” for pilgrims and monks. Then in 1204 a fire occurred, although grant was given to redesign the building into a more Gothic style by the King of France at the time, Philip Augustus. In 1790 Mont Saint Michel became a prison for 84 years until 1874 when it became a historical monument. After this the monks living there built a ring on the outline of the island to accommodate the abbey’s legal and administrative services (Abbye Du Mont-Saint-Michel). There were also some more additions done at this time which was funded by King Charles VI. Today there are monks living in the Mont Saint Michel, it is connected to France by a land bridge. However when it is low tide Mont Saint Michel is surrounded by mud and quick sand. It is strongly advised to take the land bridge because the tides can go as fast as one meter per second and also the quicksand is dangerous. Mont Saint Michel is an amazing historical landmark and is open for masses at 12:15 p.m. and tours everyday.

Works Cited:
"Abbaye Du Mont-Saint-Michel." Centre Des Monuments Nationaux. 19 Nov 2008 .

"Mont St. Michel History." LinkParis.com. 19 Nov 2008 .

"Mont Saint Michel." Sacred Destinations. 19 Nov 2008 .

"Romanesque Architecture." Sacred Destinations. 19 Nov 2008 .

"Mont Saint-Michel." Wikipedia. 19 Nov 2008 .

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