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This ClipArt gallery offers 61 images of Romanesque architecture, including many of the great abbey churches build in the Middle Ages of Europe.

Interlacing arches forming an arcature.

Arcature

Interlacing arches forming an arcature.

"Romanesque arches." —D'Anvers, 1895

Romanesque arches

"Romanesque arches." —D'Anvers, 1895

Architecture of Cathredals in England. Two bays of choir, interior, Peterborough Cathedral, Norman Style.

Bays of Choir

Architecture of Cathredals in England. Two bays of choir, interior, Peterborough Cathedral, Norman Style.

Capital from Lincoln Cathedral.

Capital

Capital from Lincoln Cathedral.

Capital from St. Peter's, Northampton.

Capital

Capital from St. Peter's, Northampton.

Capital from Gernnrode.

Capital

Capital from Gernnrode.

Capital from Wurttemberg.

Capital

Capital from Wurttemberg.

Capital from Tarragona.

Capital

Capital from Tarragona.

Capital from Tarragona.

Capital

Capital from Tarragona.

Voluted capitals from Haramston Church, Lines.

Capital

Voluted capitals from Haramston Church, Lines.

Scalloped-type capitals from New Shoreham Church.

Capital

Scalloped-type capitals from New Shoreham Church.

Capital from Canterbury Cathedral.

Capital

Capital from Canterbury Cathedral.

Anglo-Norman cushion capital.

Capital

Anglo-Norman cushion capital.

Twelfth century capital from the Cathedral at Naumburg.

Capital

Twelfth century capital from the Cathedral at Naumburg.

Twelfth century capital from Gelnhausen.

Capital

Twelfth century capital from Gelnhausen.

Unidentified German capital.

Capital

Unidentified German capital.

French Romanesque capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

Capital

French Romanesque capital from St. Martin des Champs, Paris.

An illustration of a Romanesque capitals from the cloister of Monreale near Palermo, Sicily. In several traditions of architecture including Classical architecture, the capital (from the Latin caput, 'head') forms the crowning member of a column or a pilaster. The capital projects on each side as it rises, in order to support the abacus and unite the form of the latter (normally square) with the circular shaft of the column.

Romanesque Capitals

An illustration of a Romanesque capitals from the cloister of Monreale near Palermo, Sicily. In several…

Carved Pier in church at St. Jak, Hungary.

Carved Pier

Carved Pier in church at St. Jak, Hungary.

"Romanesque church of Chatel-Montagne in the department of Allier, France." -Breasted, 1914

Chatel-Montagne

"Romanesque church of Chatel-Montagne in the department of Allier, France." -Breasted, 1914

Peterboro choir, two bays

Choir

Peterboro choir, two bays

Romanesque column base with spurs.

Column Base

Romanesque column base with spurs.

Romanesque column base with spurs.

Column Base

Romanesque column base with spurs.

The center of the courtyard of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris.

Ecole des Beaux-Arts Courtyard

The center of the courtyard of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris.

Carved doorway from Iffley Church.

Doorway

Carved doorway from Iffley Church.

Carved doorway with beak-head molding from Iffley Church.

Doorway

Carved doorway with beak-head molding from Iffley Church.

"Ground-plan of durham Cathedral." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Durham Cathedral

"Ground-plan of durham Cathedral." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred to as Durham Cathedral, in the city of Durham, England, was founded in AD 1093 and remains a center for Christian worship today. It is generally regarded as one of the finest examples of a Norman cathedral and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Durham Castle, which faces it across Palace Green, high above the River Wear.

Plan of Durham Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred…

Early English style. Capital at Salisbury cathedral.

Early English capital

Early English style. Capital at Salisbury cathedral.

Built in 1077, the excubitorium or watching-loft of the St. Albans Cathedral in England is an example of Romanesque architecture.

Excubitorium of St. Albans Cathedral in Englan

Built in 1077, the excubitorium or watching-loft of the St. Albans Cathedral in England is an example…

"Griffe from Poissy; end of 12th century. GRIFFE. In medieval architecture, from the eleventh to the fifteenth century, an ornament on the bases of pillars, connecting the torus with each angle of the plinth." -Whitney, 1911

Griffe

"Griffe from Poissy; end of 12th century. GRIFFE. In medieval architecture, from the eleventh to the…

"Medieval Griffin. Porch of the Duomo, Verona, Italy. GRIFFIN. In mythology, an imaginary animal supposed to be generated between the lion and the eagle, and to combine the head, front, and wings of an eagle with the body and hind quarters of a lion." -Whitney, 1911

Griffin

"Medieval Griffin. Porch of the Duomo, Verona, Italy. GRIFFIN. In mythology, an imaginary animal supposed…

Very few examples remain of important Norman façades in their original form, nearly all of these having been altered after the round arch was displaced by the pointed arch in the latter part of the twelfth century. Iffley Church is a good example of the style.

Front of Iffley Church

Very few examples remain of important Norman façades in their original form, nearly all of these…

The Cathedral of Mans is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Le Mans, France. The Cathedral was built in dedication to the city's first bishop Saint Julian of Le Mans. It is built in a Romanesque and Gothic style.

Cathedral of Mans

The Cathedral of Mans is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in Le Mans, France. The Cathedral was built…

Norman arch.

Norman Arch

Norman arch.

Norman gateway in Bristol, England, originally the entrance to a monastery.

Norman Gateway

Norman gateway in Bristol, England, originally the entrance to a monastery.

The most remarkable campanile in the world is known everywhere as the "Leaning Tower of Pisa." Its construction was commenced in 1074, by the German architect, Wilhelm of Innsbruck. Its total height is 170 feet.

Pisa Cathedral

The most remarkable campanile in the world is known everywhere as the "Leaning Tower of Pisa." Its construction…

"The most remarkable buildings in Pisa are the Campo Santo and the belfry, or campanile, a cylindrical tower, 178 feet in height, constructed of successive rows of pillars, chiefly of marble; it is extremely graceful in its proportions, but its chief peculiarity consists in its inclination about 13 feet out of the perpendicular, whence it is commonly called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. "—(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Leaning Tower of Pisa

"The most remarkable buildings in Pisa are the Campo Santo and the belfry, or campanile, a cylindrical…

This is the Plan of Cathedral at Aix–la–Chapelle in Aachen, Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture in Germany. It was built in AD 796. The scale is in feet. "With the exception of the church built at Trèves (There) by the empress Helena, of which small portions can still be traced in the cathedral, there are no remains of earlier date than the tomb–house built by Charlemagne at Aachen (Aix–la–Chapelle), which, though much restored in the 19th century, is still in good preservation. It consists [...] of an octagonal domed hall surrounded by aisles in two [stories], both vaulted; externally the structure is a polygon of sixteen sides, about 105 ft. in diameter, and it was preceded by a porch flanked by turrets."

Plan of Cathedral at Aix-la-Chapelle, AD 796

This is the Plan of Cathedral at Aix–la–Chapelle in Aachen, Germany. It is an example of…

This is the plan of the Cathedral at Mainz, Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The scale is in feet. Construction was started in AD 975. In Germany and Italy up until this point in architecture open timber roofing or flat ceilings were being used, however this problem was "solved in Germany, as well as in Italy, [with the] vaulting over the nave, and the cathedrals of Spires, Worms and Mainz are the three most important churches in which this was accomplished."

Plan of Cathedral at Mainz, AD 976

This is the plan of the Cathedral at Mainz, Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.…

This is a plan of the Cathedral at Würms, Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture in Germany. The scale is in feet. Construction was started in AD 1000 and continued until 1025. In Germany and Italy up until this point in architecture open timber roofing or flat ceilings were being used, however this problem was "solved in Germany, as well as in Italy, [with the] vaulting over the nave, and the cathedrals of Spires, Worms and Mainz are the three most important churches in which this was accomplished,"

Plan of Cathedral at Worms, AD 1000–1025

This is a plan of the Cathedral at Würms, Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture…

This is a plan of the Cathedral of Spires (Speyer), Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture in Germany. The scale is in feet. Construction lasted from 1030 to 1061, and it was planned by Conrad II. In Germany and Italy up until this point in architecture open timber roofing or flat ceilings were being used, however this problem was "solved in Germany, as well as in Italy, [with the] vaulting over the nave, and the cathedrals of Spires, Worms and Mainz are the three most important churches in which this was accomplished,"

Plan of Cathedral of Spires, 1030–1061

This is a plan of the Cathedral of Spires (Speyer), Germany. It is an example of Romanesque and Gothic…

This is a plan of the church of San Ambrogio, Italy. This is an example of Italian Lombard Romanesque architecture. This church represents the "earliest [example] of the solution of the great problem which was exercising the minds of the church builders towards the end of the 11th century, the vaulting of the nave." The scale is in feet.

Plan of San Ambrogio, 1000–1200

This is a plan of the church of San Ambrogio, Italy. This is an example of Italian Lombard Romanesque…

This is a plan of the San Michele, Pavia, Italy. This is an example of Italian Lombard Romanesque architecture. This church represents the "earliest [example] of the solution of the great problem which was exercising the minds of the church builders towards the end of the 11th century, the vaulting of the nave." The scale is in feet.

Plan of San Michele, Pavia, 1000–1200

This is a plan of the San Michele, Pavia, Italy. This is an example of Italian Lombard Romanesque architecture.…

This is a plan of the San Nicola at Bari, Italy. This is an example of Italian Southern Romanesque architecture. Scale is in feet.

Plan of San Nicola at Bari, 12th Century

This is a plan of the San Nicola at Bari, Italy. This is an example of Italian Southern Romanesque architecture.…

This is the plan of the Campanile and Cathedral in Pisa, Italy. This is an example of Italian Central Romanesque architecture. Furthermore it is an example of a Pisan Church. The Campanile, or Leaning Tower was erected from 1174 to 1350. The Cathedral was erected in 1067 to 1250 and restored after a fire in 1596. The Baptistery of St. Jean was erected in 1153 to 13th Century AD. The Cemetery, Campo Santo, was erected in 1278 to 1465.

Plan of the Campanile de Pisa, 1068–1509

This is the plan of the Campanile and Cathedral in Pisa, Italy. This is an example of Italian Central…

The cathedral of Puy is a roman catholic cathedral and a national monument of France, located in Le-Puy-en-Velay, France. Designed in a Romanesque style, It is a center pilgrimage site.

Cathedral of Puy

The cathedral of Puy is a roman catholic cathedral and a national monument of France, located in Le-Puy-en-Velay,…

Archiepiscopal cathedral at Zara.

Romanesque cathedral

Archiepiscopal cathedral at Zara.

Romanesque cathedral of Worms

Romanesque cathedral

Romanesque cathedral of Worms

"Profile and view from beneath of the Rafters in the Christian Basilica of San Miniato at Florence. The roofing of the basilicas consisted of beams with a flat paneling, which was richly gilt in earlier times, or the rafters of the timberworks were left without a casing, and were ornamented with colorful embellishments."

Profile of San Miniato al Monte

"Profile and view from beneath of the Rafters in the Christian Basilica of San Miniato at Florence.…

"Section of the Church of S. Constantia at Rome. The simplest desctiptions of this kind of building are the baptistries, for which the ancient Thermæ furnished models. They generally have a circular or octagonal ground plan, a main space covered with a round or polygonal dome, and a circular passage separated therefrom by pillars in the same way that the side aisles are separated from the main aisle in basilicas. Sometimes they were without this passage, and only had galleries running round the interior like boxes in a theater. These buildings were generally constructed in the vicinity of cathedrals.

Santa Costanza

"Section of the Church of S. Constantia at Rome. The simplest desctiptions of this kind of building…

"Tower of the Early Christian Basilica of S. Maria in Cosmedin at Rome." Santa Maria in Cosmedin (or de Schola Graeca) is a basilica church in Rome. The church was built in the 6th century over the remains of the Templum Herculis Pompeiani in the Forum Boarium and of the Statio annonae, one of the food distribution centres of ancient Rome.

Tower of Santa Maria in Cosmedin

"Tower of the Early Christian Basilica of S. Maria in Cosmedin at Rome." Santa Maria in Cosmedin (or…

The Cathedral of Spires was built between 916 and 1097. It is the largest church in Germany. Designed in a Romanesque style, it has two towers in the front with spires on top, similar to a pointed spear.

The Cathedral at Spires

The Cathedral of Spires was built between 916 and 1097. It is the largest church in Germany. Designed…

"Interior of St. Clement, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

St. Clement

"Interior of St. Clement, Rome." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Detail from St. Paul-trois-chateaux, Provence.

St. Paul-trois-chateaux

Detail from St. Paul-trois-chateaux, Provence.

Detail from St. Paul-trois-chateaux, Provence.

St. Paul-trois-chateaux

Detail from St. Paul-trois-chateaux, Provence.

"Section and Interior View of the five-aisled Basilica of S. Pietro at Rome, before its restoration. Large basilicas sometimes have as many as five aisles — namely, a main-aisle in the middle, and two lower aisles on each side."

Old St. Peter's Basilica

"Section and Interior View of the five-aisled Basilica of S. Pietro at Rome, before its restoration.…

"Stilted Arches.-Modern Romanesque."-Whitney, 1902

Stilted Arches

"Stilted Arches.-Modern Romanesque."-Whitney, 1902

Sxon Architecture comprehends all English architecture previous to the Gothic style, which is characterized by round-headed doors and windows.

Sxon Architecture

Sxon Architecture comprehends all English architecture previous to the Gothic style, which is characterized…

"Tournai Cathedral." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Tournai Cathedral

"Tournai Cathedral." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910