Romanesque

Definition and Meaning

Romanesque means "in the Roman manner." The term refers to the architectural style widely used in the monasteries and churches of Western Europe from roughly the late tenth century to around the twelfth century. The name reflects the style's inheritance of the round arch from ancient Roman architecture and is generally understood to have been coined by nineteenth-century scholars. The style is also called Romanesque architecture.

Its principal features are as follows:

• Round arches: Doors, windows, and the spaces between columns are spanned by rounded arches.
• Thick walls and massive columns: The walls themselves bear the weight of the stone ceiling.
• Small windows: Because the walls carry the load, large window openings are not possible. As a result, interiors are dim and convey a sense of weight and solidity.
• Vaults: These are curved stone ceilings; the barrel vault, shaped like a half-cylinder, is the most typical.
• Plan: Towers rise from a cruciform plan based on the basilica form.

Biblical and Historical Background

Scripture does not prescribe any particular architectural style for buildings of worship. Romanesque arose from the historical conditions of the medieval church. During this period the monastic movement was vigorous, and pilgrimages to the relics of saints were widespread. Large, sturdy stone churches were needed to accommodate great numbers of pilgrims. Frequently cited examples include the abbey church of Cluny, the center of the Cluniac Reform; Speyer Cathedral in Germany; and Pisa Cathedral in Italy.

After the mid-twelfth century, the Gothic style, with its pointed arches and large windows, emerged, and Romanesque gradually gave way to it. Because Romanesque predates the Reformation, it is an architectural heritage shared by both Roman Catholics and Protestants.

Practice in the Korean Church

In Korea, the Romanesque style is found chiefly in churches and chapels built by Western missionaries in the period after the opening of Korea's ports and during the Japanese colonial period. On the Protestant side, the Seoul Anglican Cathedral of the Anglican Church of Korea is widely known as a Romanesque building. Among Catholic churches, some were built in a mixture of Romanesque and other styles.

Attitudes toward architectural style differ among denominations:

• Anglican and Roman Catholic churches: These have retained a relatively large share of the traditions of liturgical space handed down since the Middle Ages, and they tend to place importance on the symbolism of the altar and the arrangement of space.
• Presbyterian and other Reformed traditions: These emphasize the preaching of the Word over the building itself. Accordingly, they have often built practical sanctuaries centered on the pulpit.

Since Korea's liberation in 1945, Gothic-style spires and modern buildings have been more common in Korean Protestant church architecture. Romanesque architecture is encountered mainly through historic buildings.