Throughout history, the architectural designs have varied in keeping with the needs and culture of the times. Religion has always had a great influence on architectural styles, as has defense and natural geographical features. Each one is interesting, with distinct characteristics to define the period.
Instructions
Religious Medieval Architecture
1. Note the difference in medieval religious architecture from other styles. It is symbolic in nature, with little regard for the functional design of other eras. The dome of the Church symbolizes striving upwards toward heaven, the cross represents the sacrifice of the cross and the use of octagonal (eight-sided) rooms refers to the eighth day--the day after creation--when the world began.
2. Examine the building materials used. Most medieval churches were built of limestone, with wood acting as support for flying buttresses. Wood was not a common building material in past ages.
3. Examine the layout of the medieval churches and you will see a specific floor plan. The churches were laid out in the shape of a cross with a long nave leading up to the altar, wings standing out on either side of the altar, and an apse (the short, upper arm of the t) used as a sacristy.
4. Look for the gorgeous stained-glass windows. These are representative of medieval architecture. Extravagent use of color and size characterized the medieval churches.
5. Look for columns, pillars and Roman influence in the decor and the use of geometrical shapes, which were also of a symbolic nature.
Secular Medieval Architecture
6. Compare the difference between religious and secular medieval architecture. The emphasis is on defense, as opposed to symbolism. Some of the notable features include a moat (which varied between wet and dry to keep the enemy at bay), wide outer walls (between 20 and 40 feet wide) for the sentries to keep watch, and crenellated edges for the archers to shoot between, which also provided protection.
7. Observe that the keep is set high above the walls, usually at a great distance from the walls, so that the invaders had no natural protection and were easily spotted.
8. Note that a prominent feature of secular medieval architecture is the rounded corners of the castle walls. This style was believed to be sturdier than right-angled corners and was more difficult for the enemy to tunnel under.
9. Examine how the castles were often set on cliffs to deter enemies and were a hodge-podge of buildings clustered together, rather than a unified structure.
