Old Cathedral of Salamanca, Spain, 12th century

The Old and New Cathedrals of Salamanca are both located in Salamanca, Spain, across from Palacio de Anaya. Cathedral Vieja de Salamanca and Catedral Nueva de Salamanca as they are known as to the locals were built in different centuries although they are joined together present day. 1

The Old Cathedral is designed in the Romanesque style whereas the New Cathedral follows the Gothic and Baroque style. Founded by Bishop Jerome of Perigord, construction for the Old Cathedral began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 14th century. It is said that the church was dedicated to Santa Maria de la Sede. 2

Mural painting done by Nicolas Florentino

Inside the Old Cathedral can be found the San Martin or Oil Chapel. This was used to store the jars of oil that were used to fuel the lamps in the Cathedral. Also, as seen in plan, the walls of this space were very thick which leads to the assumption that during the Spanish Civil War, it was used as an air-raid shelter. The dome of the Old Cathedral is known as the Torre del Gallo (Cockerel Tower) due to the prominent weather vane on top. Inside can also be found a mural painting that covers the vault which was done by Nicolas Florentino. In this painting, he is depicting Christ at the Last Judgement. 3

Plan of both Cathedrals

Towards the end of the 15th century, it was found that the Old Cathedral was too small and it did seem practical since Gothic architecture was outspreading. As a result, construction for the New Cathedral began. This was also the last Gothic cathedral to be built in Spain. The two cathedrals are significant in architecture because two architectural styles are being compared without taking away from the other. 3

Interior of the Old Cathedral of Salamanca

To visit the Old Cathedral, one must first walk through the New Cathedral. What is interesting about the two churches being built with different styles but being built within each other is that as one enters the Old Cathedral, he/she is surrounded by Romanesque architecture. 3

Works Cited

1 Fernie, Eric. Romanesque Architecture: The First Style of the European Age. New Haven: Yale UP, 2014. Print.

2 Rudolph, Conrad. A Companion to Medieval Art: Romanesque and Gothic in Northern Europe. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2006. Print.

3 "Salamanca's Cathedrals in Salamanca, Spain." Spain.info. N.p., n.d. Web.

Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner, Istanbul, 463AD

Floor Plan

Located in present day Istanbul, the  Monastery of Stoudios or more formally known as “Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner "at Stoudios"” was founded by senator Studios in 463 AD. Dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the monastery became one of the most powerful churches of its time., the Monastery was destroyed in 1453 during the Turks conquest of Constantinople and has remained in constant disrepair.

The monastery is modeled after basilicas of the time. It has a central nave with flanked by aisles. Elongated column capitals expanding to a clerestory, arch top windows and a semi-circular apse. However, the proportions are greatly reduced and influenced be early Byzantine culture.^[1]

The first major test the Stoudites faced came in 484-519 AD during the schism of Acacius. The monastery served a predominant role in early byzantine culture, becoming a stronghold against iconoclast heretics in the eighth and ninth century.

The monastery has fallen into vast disrepair over 

time. Having been destroyed by foreign invaders, fires and natural disasters. Much of the interior has been destroyed and the roof caved in. Although The monastery stayed like this for nearly a hundred years before being converted into a mosque in 2014. This has outraged the Christian community whom believe the building should be made into a museum for early Christianity.

Work Cited

           [1] Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture, Krautheimer, Richard. Penguin Books 1965

St. Mary-in-Castro, 1000, Kent England

St. Marys

St. Mary-in-Castro is a Romanesque church located in Kent, England constructed in approximately 1000 A.D. However there is some debate that the church was constructed in 600 A.D. The church still stands today, mainly used as a museum.

Romanesque architecture is the period of architecture from approximately 1000 to 1150. Influenced by roman structures across Europe and the political instability at the time. Due to this instability and the memory of invasions, Romanesque architecture is characterized be heavy, load bearing walls, small windows and the use of roman arches, pillars and groin vaults. ^[1]

Plan View

The church is located on the grounds of Dover Castle. The castle was built atop a hill and fortified using large stone walls and earthwork. The castle was built by King Henry II in the 12^th century and is England’s largest castle

The church, like the Roman basilica, is cruciform in plan. However the church does not have side aisles. At the center of the church stands a large stone tower, one of the largest at the time of its construction. The walls are load bearing, constructed from flint, stone and tile. The façade has uncharacteristic quoin work created from the adjacent Roman tower.

The interior has been through several renovations but the two, large stone arches that anchor the nave appear to be original. The aisle roof is a wood framed, barrel vault, while the transept roof is gambrel. Oddly, the tower and chancel ceiling are groin vaulted, believed to be added in the early 11^th century by King Henry the III.

St. Marys and adjacent Roman Lighthouse

[1] Roth Leland M. and Amanda C. Roth Clark, Understanding Architecutre Its Elements, History, and Meaning, Third Edition Westview Press 2014. P.365

Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence Italy

Floor Plan

Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence) is located in Florence Italy. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and Michelangelo in the Renaissance style of architecture. Construction was completed in 1470 it is one of the finest examples of the new style.

Renaissance Architecture began in Italy in the 14^th century and lasted through the 17^th century. Based on a revival of ancient thought and culture. The style emphasizes symmetry, proportions, and geometry.  Common elements visible in renaissance architecture are the arrangement of columns and pilasters, the use of semicircles, domes and niches.

The basilica di San Lorenzo was commissioned by the Medici family, an affluent family of bankers and tastemakers during the renaissance. The family gained power from the textile guilds of the time. The family had produced three popes, two regent queens of France. They had become powerful politicians during their reign.

Interior

Like many basilica’s, San Lorenzo follows the same basic design. It is cruciform in plan, with a central nave and side aisle. Unlike early roman basilicas, the side aisles at San Lorenzo have been built out to accommodate chapels. The main axis follows a strict “A” “B” “A” pattern. The transept is somewhat peculiar, breaking from the typical basilica. Chapels have been constructed around the transept, breaking the typical form. Furthermore, the chapels around the transept are not connected. The basilica also has a larger chapel on the south-west corner, further breaking the typical form. Despite the oddities, the basilica is still based off the principals of the period. San Lorenzo still follows a strict, yet simple geometric guide and proportions. ^[1]

The exterior of the basilica is somewhat plain. The façade is made up of brick and stone. The main level along the aisle have blind windows while the clerestory has small, arched windows. The front façade is plain brick and stone construction containing three wooden doors entering into the nave and side aisle. There is also a blind window, however this may have been closed over time. There is also a central tower over the transept like in standard basilicas, although there is a bell tower on the north side. The façade also shows the same strict dedication to form and order. Following the same dedications to the new stile. ^[2]

[1] Roth Leland M. and Amanda C. Roth Clark, Understanding Architecutre Its Elements, History, and Meaning, Third Edition Westview Press 2014. P.365

[2] http://www.aviewoncities.com/florence/basilicadisanlorenzo.htm