(A.D.

400-1500)

WESTERN
ARCHITECTURE IN
THE MIDDLE AGES
 Western architecture passed through three
stages of development during the middle
ages. These are the Early Christian,
Romanesque, and Gothic. These three
styles developed one out of another: The
Romanesque was an outgrowth of the
early Christian, and the Gothic, of the
Romanesque.
Romanesque
 Medieval
Durham University is
recognized as a leading
centre of excellence for
medieval archaeology,
with an international
reputation for high-
quality and wide-ranging
research on the historic
archaeology of Britain
and Europe. Building on a
long tradition of medieval
archaeology, established
at Durham University by
Prof. Rosemary Cramp.
The Early Middle Ages
Early Christian

 Designed by William Orchard, its
intricate stone latticework
symbolizes heaven, with large 8-
point stars and lantern-shaped
pendants easily visible yet
unimaginably difficult to carve.
CATHEDRAL
GOTHIC
The Late Middle Ages
 The Western styles follow the
general type of the Roman
Basilica , a long rectangular
building divided by pillars
into a central nave and
aisles . Sometimes there is one
aisle on each side of the
nave ; sometimes there are two .
Often the nave is higher than
the aisles , and , therefore ,
there is opportunity for
clerestory lighting .
• In the early churches , the
buildings was one simple
rectangle with an apse . Later ,
the plan was adapted to the
shape of a cross by the
addition of cross aisles
between the nave and the choir .
The arms thus made are known
as transepts . Directly opposite
the high altar at the west , was
Thank
You…