Grace Leung
4/27/11
West Civ Essay 3
The traditions of structure and patterns in Romanesque and Gothic Churches are truly diverse. Each of these different and detailed types of churches represents something. The Gothic churches show how important it was to be a community and how close the community was, with crypts underneath the church. While the Romanesque churches describe how important privacy was and how closer of the soul was a big part of a person’s life. Romanesque and Gothic churches show how important theology was to each ones culture, through the appearance of their diverse structures.
Both Gothic and Romanesque churches tell their theologies by just one look. Gothic churches have many different features. One is the attempt to look like German towns. In figure 1 this is succeeded as the top of the church has a point to it, just like houses in Germany often do. This church looks almost roomy and very large. Community, being very important, was one contributor to the size and architecture of this church. The theology for the Gothic church was to show how important it was to let God in. This structure is a very good example, since the church is very open looking. In figure 2 this is a Romanesque church. It has thick walls and a concealed look, while the Gothic church is the opposite. The lack in openings is evident and the high towers show how secluded it is. It was very important to this particular theology to work on your inner self, making this a great example, since the church is very enclosed.
It is evident how different these two churches can be, the difference in each ones theology is a contributor to the contrasts. Figure 3 is decorative for a Gothic church, but is still relevant to what a Gothic church looks like. This church has a very high ceiling and a wide area. It has many windows, to show how “open” it is. Figure 4, the Romanesque church, is very confined looking; there are not doors on the side of the church. The windows on this church are completely open and surrounded by a brick looking material. The solitude look of this church gives off vibes that it is very serious and almost a judge mental atmosphere.
The Gothic tradition is a more open and an open, society like tradition. Figure 5 is a very vivid example of Gothic theology. The church wings are huge and the ceiling is enormous. It is very open and makes a person feel like they could walk right in. It is very much a community place and displays openness towards God. This is exactly what Gothic theology wants to display. An example of a Romanesque church is Figure 6; it is very closed, with a stone structure. Also it is not that high and instead is strong around the base and structure of the church.
The dissimilarities between these two churches can be of great importance to each ones theology. The Gothic church is very open to the community to experience learning about God together. The Romanesque church is more secluded and focuses more on a person’s inner soul, and their relationship with God. Each church is represented greatly in there look and appearance.
Figure 5: Neo- Gothic Church at Kylemore
Neo- Gothic Church at Kylemore, 13th Century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neo-gothic_church_at_Kylemore.jpg, published August 14, 2009
Figure 2: Ostseite von St. Gereon
Osteite von St. Gereon, 13th Century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Gereon_K%C3%B6ln_-_Ostseite_(2520).jpg, published Jun 1, 2008
Reims Cathedral Notre Dame Interior, 13th Century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reims_Cathedrale_Notre_Dame_interior_002.JPG, published January 28, 2008
Saint Andreas Church
Saint Andreas Church, 13th Century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kosciol_sw._Andrzeja_w_Krakowie.jpg, published December 1999
Reims Cathedral of Notre Dame, 13th Century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ReimsCattedraleEsternoAbside.jpg, published November 2008
Church of Holy Trinity and Virgin Mary, 13th Century, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Strzelno_3.JPG, published 2005
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