400-1500)
WESTERN
ARCHITECTURE IN
THE MIDDLE AGES
Western architecture passed through three
stages of development during the middle
ages. These are the Early Christian,
Romanesque, and Gothic. These three
styles developed one out of another: The
Romanesque was an outgrowth of the
early Christian, and the Gothic, of the
Romanesque.
Romanesque
Medieval
Durham University is
recognized as a leading
centre of excellence for
medieval archaeology,
with an international
reputation for high-
quality and wide-ranging
research on the historic
archaeology of Britain
and Europe. Building on a
long tradition of medieval
archaeology, established
at Durham University by
Prof. Rosemary Cramp.
The Early Middle Ages
Early Christian
Designed by William Orchard, its
intricate stone latticework
symbolizes heaven, with large 8-
point stars and lantern-shaped
pendants easily visible yet
unimaginably difficult to carve.
CATHEDRAL
GOTHIC
The Late Middle Ages
The Western styles follow the
general type of the Roman
Basilica , a long rectangular
building divided by pillars
into a central nave and
aisles . Sometimes there is one
aisle on each side of the
nave ; sometimes there are two .
Often the nave is higher than
the aisles , and , therefore ,
there is opportunity for
clerestory lighting .
• In the early churches , the
buildings was one simple
rectangle with an apse . Later ,
the plan was adapted to the
shape of a cross by the
addition of cross aisles
between the nave and the choir .
The arms thus made are known
as transepts . Directly opposite
the high altar at the west , was
Thank
You…