Introduction
Throughout history, religious architecture has been shaped by the beliefs and rituals of its practitioners. The Carolingian and Romanesque periods are no exception, showcasing a variety of floor plans that reflect the religious functions of the time. This essay will examine two examples from these periods: the Palatine Chapel of Aachen (Carolingian) and the Abbey Church of Cluny (Romanesque). We will explore the influence of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and early Christian models on their floor plans and discuss how rituals and beliefs affected the development of these structures.
Palatine Chapel of Aachen
The floor plan of the Palatine Chapel of Aachen, a magnificent structure commissioned by Charlemagne in the late 8th century, changed over time due to evolving religious practices, beliefs, and architectural influences. Initially conceived as a royal chapel, it eventually became the coronation church for the Holy Roman Empire. The chapel’s distinctive floor plan, featuring a central octagonal core surrounded by a two-story, 16-sided ambulatory, was heavily inspired by Byzantine models, such as the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy (Schmidt et al., 3455). The basilica-like network and the prominent crossing tower also incorporated Roman and early Christian architectural styles.
The importance of the number eight in the octagonal core, signifying resurrection and renewal in Christian symbolism, reinforced Charlemagne’s status as a divinely appointed ruler. This architectural choice demonstrated the integration of religious and political aspirations during the period. Furthermore, the ambulatory’s design served a functional purpose, enabling pilgrims to navigate the central space freely and view sacred relics without interrupting ongoing religious services (Schmidt et al., 3450). The evolving floor plan of the Palatine Chapel of Aachen resulted from the interplay between changing architectural influences, religious practices, and beliefs, highlighting the dynamic nature of the period and the chapel’s role in reflecting the aspirations of its patrons. All these changes and features are shown in the following floor diagram, where diagrams of several buildings are compared at once (Freeman 1):
Abbey Church of Cluny
The floor plan of the Abbey Church of Cluny, constructed in the 11th century as a Benedictine monastery, changed over time due to various factors. One of the key reasons for the evolution of its design was the shift in architectural styles and the influence of different cultural elements. The Romanesque architectural style, which the Abbey Church significantly contributed to, adopted elements from both the early Christian Basilica plan and Byzantine architecture, evident in the church’s long nave, wide transept, and multiple radiating chapels (Marcu-Istrate 110). The resemblance of the apse’s radiating chapels to those in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is a testament to this cross-cultural influence.
Another crucial factor driving the changes in the floor plan was the changing religious practices and beliefs of the time. The spacious, multi-chapel design of the Abbey Church of Cluny catered to the needs of a growing number of pilgrims seeking to venerate relics, as it allowed for the simultaneous celebration of multiple masses (Marcu-Istrate 131). This design, known as the pilgrimage church plan, was particularly well-suited for monastic communities and the rising importance of pilgrimage sites during the Romanesque period. In summary, the Abbey Church of Cluny’s evolving floor plan resulted from the interplay between shifting architectural styles, cultural influences, and the changing religious practices and beliefs of the time. Figure 2 contains a detailed exterior and interior plan of the Abbey Church of Cluny, on which all the points mentioned above are figuratively painted (Giffart 1):
Conclusion
The layouts of the Aachen Palatine Chapel and Cluny Abbey Church illustrate how religious architecture developed from the Carolingian to the Romanesque periods. Both structures were shaped by Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and early Christian models. The changes in their floor plans were driven by the rituals and beliefs of their time, such as the need to accommodate pilgrims and emphasize the divine authority of rulers. Studying these religious structures provides a window into their creators’ historical context and spiritual aspirations.
Works Cited
Freeman, Dr. Jennifer Awes. “Palatine Chapel, Aachen.” Smarthistory, 2020. Web.
Giffart, Pierre. “Side Facade and Ground Plan of Cluny Abbey.” Web Gallery of Art, 2020. Web.
Marcu-Istrate, Daniela. “The Formative Period: Byzantine and Romanesque Churches before 1200.” Church Archaeology in Transylvania (Ca. 950 to Ca. 1450), Brill, 2022, pp. 105–139. Web.
Schmidt, Johannes, et al. “Sediment Budgeting of Short‐Term Backfilling Processes: The Erosional Collapse of a Carolingian Canal Construction.” Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, vol. 45, no. 14, 2020, pp. 3449–3462. Web.