Carolingian ArchitectureCarolingian Architecture

By : Shuhood Hosam Abu HamadSupervision : Eng Sheren Abd Al rhman

Carolingian ArchitectureCarolingian ArchitectureIntroductionIntroductionCarolingian architecture is the style of north European Pre-Romanesque Carolingian architecture is the style of north European Pre-Romanesque

architecture belonging to the period of the Carolingian Renaissance of the architecture belonging to the period of the Carolingian Renaissance of the late 8th and 9th centuries, when the Carolingian family dominated west late 8th and 9th centuries, when the Carolingian family dominated west

European politics. It was a conscious attempt to emulate Roman European politics. It was a conscious attempt to emulate Roman architecture and to that end it borrowed heavily from Early Christian and architecture and to that end it borrowed heavily from Early Christian and

Byzantine architecture, though there are nonetheless innovations of its Byzantine architecture, though there are nonetheless innovations of its own, resulting in a unique characterown, resulting in a unique character..

The gatehouse of the monastery at Lorsch, built around 800, exemplifies The gatehouse of the monastery at Lorsch, built around 800, exemplifies classical inspiration for Carolingian architecture, built as a triple-arched classical inspiration for Carolingian architecture, built as a triple-arched

hall dominating the gateway, with the arched facade interspersed with hall dominating the gateway, with the arched facade interspersed with attached classical columns and pilasters aboveattached classical columns and pilasters above..

The Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) constructed between 792 - The Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) constructed between 792 - 805 was inspired by the octagonal Justinian church of San Vitale in 805 was inspired by the octagonal Justinian church of San Vitale in

Ravenna, built in the 6th century, but at Aachen there is a tall monumental Ravenna, built in the 6th century, but at Aachen there is a tall monumental western entrance complex, as a whole called a westwork - a Carolingian western entrance complex, as a whole called a westwork - a Carolingian

innovationinnovation..

Carolingian churches generally are basilican, like the Early Christian Carolingian churches generally are basilican, like the Early Christian churches of Rome, and commonly incorporated westworks, which is churches of Rome, and commonly incorporated westworks, which is

arguably the precedent for the western facades of later medieval cathedrals. arguably the precedent for the western facades of later medieval cathedrals. An original westwork survives today at the Abbey of Corvey, built in 885An original westwork survives today at the Abbey of Corvey, built in 885

Carolingian ArchitectureCarolingian ArchitectureThe new architecture, inspired by the forms of antiquity, The new architecture, inspired by the forms of antiquity,

abandoned the small boxlike shapes of the Merovingian period and abandoned the small boxlike shapes of the Merovingian period and used instead spacious basilicas often intersected by vast transepts. used instead spacious basilicas often intersected by vast transepts.

In some churches, such as Fulda and Cologne, the central nave In some churches, such as Fulda and Cologne, the central nave ended in semicircular apses. An innovation of Carolingian builders, ended in semicircular apses. An innovation of Carolingian builders,

which was to be of incalculable importance for the later Middle which was to be of incalculable importance for the later Middle Ages, was the emphasis given to the western extremity of the Ages, was the emphasis given to the western extremity of the

church. The facade, flanked symmetrically by towers, or simply the church. The facade, flanked symmetrically by towers, or simply the exterior of a massive complex (westwork), became the focal point exterior of a massive complex (westwork), became the focal point of the structure. The function of the westwork is still debated. It of the structure. The function of the westwork is still debated. It

had an elevation of several stories, the lowest a vaulted vestibule to had an elevation of several stories, the lowest a vaulted vestibule to the church proper, and above, a room reached by spiral staircases, the church proper, and above, a room reached by spiral staircases,

which may have served as a chapel reserved for high dignitarieswhich may have served as a chapel reserved for high dignitaries..The outstanding structure of the Carolingian period still in The outstanding structure of the Carolingian period still in

existence is the palatine chapel at Aachen, dedicated by Pope Leo existence is the palatine chapel at Aachen, dedicated by Pope Leo III in the year 805. It is centralized in plan and surmounted by an III in the year 805. It is centralized in plan and surmounted by an

octagonal dome. The design of the palatine chapel appears to have octagonal dome. The design of the palatine chapel appears to have been based in part on the 6th-century Church of San Vitale in been based in part on the 6th-century Church of San Vitale in Ravenna. Other important structures still partly preserved, or Ravenna. Other important structures still partly preserved, or

known through documentary evidence, include the churches of known through documentary evidence, include the churches of Corbie, Centula (Saint-Riquier), and ReichenauCorbie, Centula (Saint-Riquier), and Reichenau..

Carolingian ArtCarolingian ArtThe best-preserved artistic achievements of the age are works of small The best-preserved artistic achievements of the age are works of small

dimensions—manuscript illumination, ivory carving, and metalwork. dimensions—manuscript illumination, ivory carving, and metalwork. Besides the imperial court, at Aachen, the leading centers of art were the Besides the imperial court, at Aachen, the leading centers of art were the

monasteries in Tours, Metz, Saint-Denis, and near Reimsmonasteries in Tours, Metz, Saint-Denis, and near Reims..The earliest liturgical manuscripts of the Carolingian period, such as the The earliest liturgical manuscripts of the Carolingian period, such as the

Gospel book signed by the scribe Godescalc (written between 781 and Gospel book signed by the scribe Godescalc (written between 781 and 783), are characterized by a tentative and not always successful fusion of 783), are characterized by a tentative and not always successful fusion of ornamental motifs of chiefly Anglo-Saxon and Irish origin and by figures ornamental motifs of chiefly Anglo-Saxon and Irish origin and by figures

derived from antiquity. Full-page portraits of the four evangelists were derived from antiquity. Full-page portraits of the four evangelists were often designed. Later Carolingian miniatures show an increasing often designed. Later Carolingian miniatures show an increasing

familiarity with the heritage of late antiquity and in some instances are familiarity with the heritage of late antiquity and in some instances are perhaps influenced by Byzantine art. The manuscripts owe much of their perhaps influenced by Byzantine art. The manuscripts owe much of their

beauty to the new minuscule form of writing, remarkable for its clarity beauty to the new minuscule form of writing, remarkable for its clarity and form. The most influential work was the Utrecht Psalter, illustrated in and form. The most influential work was the Utrecht Psalter, illustrated in

a mode of nervous and flickering intensity quite unparalleled in earlier a mode of nervous and flickering intensity quite unparalleled in earlier Western artWestern art..

Closely allied in style to the miniatures were the ivory carvings, many of Closely allied in style to the miniatures were the ivory carvings, many of them originally part of book covers. Metalwork objects are rarer, although them originally part of book covers. Metalwork objects are rarer, although

literary evidence shows that goldsmiths and enamel workers were active. literary evidence shows that goldsmiths and enamel workers were active. The large golden altar of Sant' Ambrogio in Milan (executed in 835), the The large golden altar of Sant' Ambrogio in Milan (executed in 835), the

portable altar of Arnulf (now in Munich), several splendid book covers, portable altar of Arnulf (now in Munich), several splendid book covers, and other sumptuously decorated objects provide insight into the artistic and other sumptuously decorated objects provide insight into the artistic

accomplishments of the period, which ended in the late 9th centaccomplishments of the period, which ended in the late 9th cent

Floorplan of Aachen. Features of the structure include Floorplan of Aachen. Features of the structure include barrel and groin vaults as well as an octagonal cloister-barrel and groin vaults as well as an octagonal cloister-

vault dome. The main entrance is through the westwork, a vault dome. The main entrance is through the westwork, a Carolingian invention that went on to flourish in Gothic Carolingian invention that went on to flourish in Gothic

architecture. The westwork often housed a private chapel architecture. The westwork often housed a private chapel on the upper floors for the use of dignitaries. At Aachen the on the upper floors for the use of dignitaries. At Aachen the

upper rooms overlook the atrium of the churchupper rooms overlook the atrium of the church

Carolingian ArchitectureCarolingian Architecture

This beautiful building - the Gate Hall of Lorsch monastery This beautiful building - the Gate Hall of Lorsch monastery - is one of the few remaining examples of post-Roman but - is one of the few remaining examples of post-Roman but

pre-Romanesque architecture in Germany; its style is called pre-Romanesque architecture in Germany; its style is called CarolingianCarolingian..

Gate Hall Lorsch, west facade

A monastery was established in Lorsch (former Lauresham) A monastery was established in Lorsch (former Lauresham) in the Rhine valley in 764. It received some popular relics in the Rhine valley in 764. It received some popular relics

and soon developed into an important place, especially and soon developed into an important place, especially after Charlemagne took an interest in it. The minster was after Charlemagne took an interest in it. The minster was

consecrated in 774 in presence of King Charles, the future consecrated in 774 in presence of King Charles, the future emperoremperor..

Closeup of the mural ornaments

At the beginning of the 9th century, news about At the beginning of the 9th century, news about construction work in Lorsch come to an end, so we can't say construction work in Lorsch come to an end, so we can't say

for sure when the gate hall was built, but it seems to date for sure when the gate hall was built, but it seems to date into the 9th century, not the time of Charlemagne. A pity, it into the 9th century, not the time of Charlemagne. A pity, it

would be nice to know he already walked under those would be nice to know he already walked under those vaults. vaults.

There is one vague mention of an There is one vague mention of an ecclesia varia ecclesia varia (a (a 'colourful church') in the 870ies that could refer to the 'colourful church') in the 870ies that could refer to the

hall, but we can't be surehall, but we can't be sure

Closeup of a pillar

Today, the hall is the only part that remains of the Today, the hall is the only part that remains of the Carolingian building, and the monastery no longer Carolingian building, and the monastery no longer exists. The Gate Hall in Lorsch is part of the World exists. The Gate Hall in Lorsch is part of the World

Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage..

Notre-Dame-Sous-TerreNotre-Dame-Sous-TerreThis chapel, which belongs to the first carolingian This chapel, which belongs to the first carolingian

constructions of the beginning of the 10thcentury, is constructions of the beginning of the 10thcentury, is the oldest part of the Mont-Saint-Michel. It has been the oldest part of the Mont-Saint-Michel. It has been

preserved to support the western part of the navepreserved to support the western part of the nave . .This quadrilateral (11 X 13 m), irregular because of This quadrilateral (11 X 13 m), irregular because of

its leaning against the eastern rock, shows two its leaning against the eastern rock, shows two parallel naves separated by a thick wall with two parallel naves separated by a thick wall with two

archways and terminated by two small barrel vaulted archways and terminated by two small barrel vaulted sanctuaries. The latter is topped by rostrums sanctuaries. The latter is topped by rostrums probably used to show relics to the assemblyprobably used to show relics to the assembly..

During the construction of the romanesque church, During the construction of the romanesque church, starting in 1023, this chapel was lengthened starting in 1023, this chapel was lengthened

westward and reinforced to support the last bays of westward and reinforced to support the last bays of the nave and the front, then was little by little the nave and the front, then was little by little swallowed up by the monastery. It regained its swallowed up by the monastery. It regained its

original appearance during the 1960 restoration; original appearance during the 1960 restoration; leaning against the eastern rock, it was then opened leaning against the eastern rock, it was then opened

on three sideson three sides

Plan of the chapelPlan of the chapel It presents all characteristics of the carolingian architecture: thick It presents all characteristics of the carolingian architecture: thick

walls (up to 2 metres), blocks of stone roughly cut, arches made of walls (up to 2 metres), blocks of stone roughly cut, arches made of small bricks (taken from Romans), bare walls without any small bricks (taken from Romans), bare walls without any

symmetry (south side windows are not in the axis of symmetry of symmetry (south side windows are not in the axis of symmetry of the central wall arches). We can also find remnants of decoration the central wall arches). We can also find remnants of decoration

coatings under the central wall archescoatings under the central wall arches..Constructed to replace the Aubert oratory dating back to the Constructed to replace the Aubert oratory dating back to the

beginning of the 8th century, retaining its site and its structure, it beginning of the 8th century, retaining its site and its structure, it could house a hundred personscould house a hundred persons..

It has a double sanctuary, one intended to service the cult of It has a double sanctuary, one intended to service the cult of

archangel Saint Michael, the other one probably dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael, the other one probably dedicated to the Holy Virgin or the Holy Trinity (copy of the Mont-Gargan oratory Holy Virgin or the Holy Trinity (copy of the Mont-Gargan oratory

in Italy, first oratory dedicated to Saint Michael dating back to the in Italy, first oratory dedicated to Saint Michael dating back to the 5th century5th century))..

Behind the eastern wall of the southern sanctuary, an aperture Behind the eastern wall of the southern sanctuary, an aperture made in 1961 allows one to gaze on a wall made of a heap of made in 1961 allows one to gaze on a wall made of a heap of

roughly cut stone blocks. This wall is an extension of the rock roughly cut stone blocks. This wall is an extension of the rock against which leans the northern sanctuary ; and we can presume against which leans the northern sanctuary ; and we can presume

that it is a vestige of the oratory built by Aubert in 708that it is a vestige of the oratory built by Aubert in 708

  This extraordinary construction of stone blocks that This extraordinary construction of stone blocks that is the Mont-Saint-Michel takes root in this church, is the Mont-Saint-Michel takes root in this church,

piously preserved, and enshrined respectfully during piously preserved, and enshrined respectfully during the development of the abbey, as it constituted the the development of the abbey, as it constituted the

connection with the original oratory.connection with the original oratory. "  " Yves-Marie Froideveaux, principal curator of the Yves-Marie Froideveaux, principal curator of the

Mont-Saint-Michel from 1957 to 1983, who directed Mont-Saint-Michel from 1957 to 1983, who directed the restoration of Notre-Dame-Sous-Terrethe restoration of Notre-Dame-Sous-Terre..

Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) (792-Palatine Chapel in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) (792-805)805)

Abbey of Corvey (885)Abbey of Corvey (885)