Architecture English

The floorplan trapezoid aspect is not a perspective artifact: the North wall is shorter about one meter than the southern one. Like many romanesque churches, the apse is slightly out of alignment. There is not the least evidence to justify a symbolic evocation of '...the last head inflexion of the dying Christ ' (cf: 'Invention de l'Architecture Romane', Ed du Zodiaque).

The shape of arches and vault, named ' pointed arch' ("tiers point") take place between the roman and romanesque barrel vault and the gothic ribbed vault. The span of an arch is divided in three part, each segment of circle has for radius 2/3 of the span. This technique was retained for the construction of Cluny Abbey

Display barrel vault

The nave is propedd up by half-barrel vault on each side. Only five churches were built on this model Brux, Sainte-Soline, Parthenay-le-Vieux, Sainte-Croix de Parthenay and Secondigny.
(ref: 'Haut Poitou Roman', Ed du Zodiaque).
The dry stones roof lay directly on a gravel ballast spread over the extrados.
These half vaults prop up only the nave. At dome level, barrel vaults take over on some metres. Intention to mark a non-existent transept, or ulterior reorganization ?

Semi-circular apse
.

Bay through the nave
and the right aisle

Cupola on squinches
Click to enlarge 800x600

For further informations about french romanesque art and architecture, link to: Parole et Patrimoine