Figure 1.5 The four traditional routes through France to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrimage Churches
As more and more people made their way to Santiago de Compostela, the 11th and 12th centuries saw a frenzy of building activity with the construction of hostels, hospitals, bridges and – most dramatically of all – large churches along the pilgrimage routes in France.
Many churches acquired an important relic, and this made them pilgrimage destinations in their own right (Fig. 1.5).
Innovation and
Invention Romanesque means ‘Roman-like’. The term was first used in the mid-19th century, when it was judged one of the great phases of Western culture. The art and architecture of the Middle Ages had been regarded as heavy and crude compared to the Renaissance.
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Architecture Ruins of Roman buildings, bridges and aqueducts were scattered around parts of Europe. Romanesque architects used these and especially the round Roman arch as inspiration.
Church designs were based on the Roman basilica, but were adapted to suit the needs of pilgrims (Fig. 1.6–1.9).
Crosswise transepts made them cruciform in shape and broke up the long nave. This allowed pilgrims to walk about without interrupting religious services and an ambulatory or walkway around the back of the altar facilitated the viewing of the relics.
Radiating chapels, each with a minor relic, were built out from the ambulatory and a central tower or cupola (dome) was added to bring light to the centre at the crossing.
