Introduction
In definition, architecture is the science, profession or art of designing structures and buildings. Epic and magnificent buildings such as churches and cathedrals have left many in awe and wondering how such structures came to be. Architecture has been in existence from the pre-historic era to post-modernism.
Religious architecture is one such art that has left its mark in history. Temples, churches as well as cathedrals were constructed as an expression of the relationship between man and God. The materials as well as the color of paintings used during construction represented the church’s reverence of God. Houses and burial sites, on the other hand, represented a community’s culture as well as beliefs.
From the Stone Age era through to the end of the Gothic era, the beliefs, rituals, as well as cultures of societies, drastically changed thus affecting the area of architecture as well as architectural designs.
Main Body
The Stone Age era, which is also referred to as the Neolithic era, dates back as early as between 3000BC to 1800BC. People had strong religious beliefs and had the belief that the world was run by different gods who needed to be pleased and revered.
In the course of the Stone Age era, religious architecture was born and some of it can still be seen up to the present day, an example being the famous Stonehenge. The major material used in the construction of buildings in this era was gigantic stones known as Megaliths, which would weigh up to 4 tons. Religious buildings were constructed for the sole purpose of holding meetings and religious practices as well as rituals.
Since stone was the main material used in the religious architecture of the Stone Age era, transportation was a major challenge. The mode of transport would include rivers, use of manpower by dragging or pulling the huge stones or in the case of winter seasons, sliding the building stones through the ice which made the job easier.
Building tools were not yet invented during the Stone Age era hence other stones, rocks, as well as flint and stone tools, were used instead. Construction of the structures was in a way that there was a central ritual area surrounded by protective defenses as in the case of Stonehenge. Most buildings were constructed on hilltops and close to rivers for easy transportation.
In general, Stone Age architecture was represented by rectangular shapes which had columns on all four sides for instance the Parthenon. Timber beams were also used for the roofing, were not domed and were covered by tiles made from mud. Decorations were mostly consisting of wall paintings and free-standing statues which were designed to depict heroes, a society’s culture as well as pedimental.
Early Greek temples were wooden and designed to have a long rectangular shape. A porch was also built all around which was supported by columns made from tree trunks.
Gothic architecture, on the other hand, came to be during the medieval period, which was between the 12th Century and the 16th Century. The name ‘Gothic’ was attached to the form of art due to how the buildings were designed and constructed, that is, having ribbed vaults, pointed arches as well as flying buttresses. The name was meant to be an insult to the architecture since it was viewed to be unholy and evil. It also existed among a culture considered by many in that era as being barbaric and rude.
Gothic architecture is mostly seen in structures such as Cathedrals and great churches. Materials commonly used for construction in gothic architecture included limestone, marbles as well as bricks.
Churches, as well as Cathedrals, were constructed in a way that they would tower over most other domestic structures. The gothic churches were designed in a cruciform way. The body of the church consisted of a long nave having aisles on either side, a transept that is a transverse arm and an extension known as a presbytery. The nave was also constructed in a way that it would be taller than the aisles with windows letting in light to the space at the center.
Unlike in the Stone Age era where large, gigantic stones were used for construction, well-shaped stones were used in Gothic architecture. Pointed arches were used as an emphasis on height and pillars as well as solid walls which replaced hollow spaces found in the Stone Age architecture. Building tools were invented and included chisels which made designing decorations on walls a lot easier.
The religious Gothic architecture used decorations unlike in the Stone Age architecture. Gothic architecture mostly relied on large windows to let in much light into the building. Rather than being supported by walls as in the case of the stone age era, the weight of the roof was mainly supported by the pointed arches hence the construction of thinner walls of churches and cathedrals.
Some of the features found in religious Gothic architecture include the flying buttress, the precision by which stones were cut, the use of pillars and solid walls as well as introduction of decorative sculptures and styles which included Gargoyles.
Gothic religious structures were meant to convey to the world the awesomeness of God. The nature of the building represented God’s clarity and rationality in His universe. On the other hand, stained glass windows, murals, and sculptures depicted messages from the Bible.
Conclusion
Architecture has come a long way through history. Both Stone Age and Gothic architecture can attest to that fact.
Over time, different techniques and modern tools are being used to create more elaborate religious structures. But those of the Stone Age era, like the Stonehenge, and the Gothic era, like the present Cathedrals, still stand as evidence of the wonders and awesomeness of religious architecture.
References
- Branner, Robert. 1991. Gothic Architecture. New York: George Braziller.
- Francis D.K. Ching. 2007. Architecture, Form, Space & Order. 3rd ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
- Manfredo Tafuri, 1980. Theories and History of Architecture. New York Harper & Row.