Visigothic art: Encyclopedia II - Visigothic art - Visigothic architecture

Visigothic art - Visigothic architecture

In the sixth century the only real example of their architecture is the church of San Cugat del Vallés, in Barcelona. However, their style developed over the next centuries, though the prime remaining examples of it are mostly rural and often run-down. Some of the characteristics of their architecture are:

• Generally basilican in layout, sometimes a Greek cross plan or, more rarely, a combination of the two. The spaces are highly compartmentalised.
• Horseshoe arches without keystones.
• A rectangular, exterior apse.
• Use of columns and pillars with Corinthian capitals of unique barbarian design.
• Barrel vaults with cupolas at the crosses.
• Walls of ashlar blocks, occasionally alternating with Roman brickwork.
• Decoration commonly of animal or plant themes (typically barbarian).

Exemplars include:

• San Juan de Baños de Cerrato (Palencia)
• Cripta de San Antolín de Palencia
• San Pedro de la Mata (Toledo)
• Santa Comba de Bande (Orense)
• San Pedro de la Nave (Zamora)
• Santa María de Quintanilla de las Viñas (Burgos)
• Santa María de Melque (Toledo)

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Visigothic architecture", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki