Romanesque

 " Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches.Combining features of Western Roman and Byzantine buildings, Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, its thick walls, round arches, sturdy piers, groin vaults, large towers and decorative arcading. Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that the overall appearance is one of simplicity when compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow."(source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanesque_architecture)

     We were required to compare 2 amazing and beautiful Cathedrals in Metro Manila the Manila Cathedral Church and Immaculate Conception .




 The Immaculate Concepetion Parish 

     The Immaculate Conception Parish is located at # 39 Lantana St. Cubao Quezon City. Ive honestly been here approximately 2-3 years ago during my grandparents 50th  Golden wedding anniversary but I want able to see where my grandparents renewal of vow will be held since I have classes and was still adjusting to my life as a student Architect. The moment I stepped in the church I was fascinated with the beauty of the church.

front facade of the parish

In the picture of the facade of Immaculate conception you can see the some architectural characteristics of Romaesque architecture like the wheel and rose windows, the arcades and stained glass.

painted ceiling /murals,ribbed vaults

ribbed vaults,capitals,painted ceiling,apse

stained glass and capitals

the church have a ribbed vault,murals or  ceiling painting ribbed vaults and capitals 

the rose wheel window and stain glass

In conclusion Immaculate concption is truly a mirror of Romanesque Architecture. The Architectural characteristics of this parish are the alteration of columns and piers,the arcades or row or arches an apse behind the altar or it is a wall curved or semi circular, stained glass to teach and at the same preach the life of God to the people, the painted walls or murals,rose wheel windows and the vaulted arches and it has a Latin cross plan.


The Immaculate Conception Parish is truly outstanding in all ways even the smallest details they've managed to maintain and mirror the Romanesque period.

The Manila Cathedral

The Manila cathedral have some similarities to the St. Peters Basilica

Beautiful in so many ways was my first reaction to this structure. As I was waiting for the mass to end so that I can take a picture of the Cathedral I came across an area where the history of the cathedral was shown.
It said there that this cathedral was reconstructed many times already due to some unavoidable reasons(like earthquakes) and as time passed by they had some alterations to the plans.

here are the plans of the cathedral as you can see it has a latin cross plan.

well ive been doing my research thank you!:)

anyway back to the topic

  this structure has a alteration of arches and piers and Im sorry but you wont be able to distinguish but each arc have a different unique design. And here you can see the capitals in each pier its a Lotus design I think and also the stained glass where pictures of saint,Jesus Chirst and the Important people in his lives are placed, again it is a way to preach the good news to the people back then.

 here at the entrance you can see that the cathedral have mini pockets or areas in the side usually where they place the history of the church in a tarpaulin for tourist people, the pieta or mini waiting/prayer area and a mini chapel (which I will show later )where baptisms and small events are held

In this picture you can see the alteration of arches and piers the Rib-Vaulted arches and stained glass of the parish.

(The view from the altar)

      beautiful was the first word I said when I saw this. you can see the pipe organ and the area of the choir upstairs, the effects of the rose wheel window and the stain glasses. The alterations of arches and piers and the Vaulted arches.

 The Altar

the altar where angels are carved

                                                             a baldacchino with a relic of our Mary our mother inside of it 

stain glass

Lectern

mural of an angel

the mini chapel at the side

                                                       enlosed with gates of steel

                              the chapel was beautiful with the mosaic design of The sacred heart of Jesus and 2 angels.




The Transept side of the Cathedral 

  


The Facade of Manila Cathedral




moudlings/decorative details of the arches/capitals infront or in the facade of the cathedral

                                                      vast arch porch with decorative details

the door of the cathedral with decorative details it also looks like the door of St. Peter Basilica in Rome

the door of the cathedral with the emblems of the church

a mural outside the cathedral

Never the less both of Manila Cathedral and Immaculate Conception are beautiful in all means. Maybe before I wasnt able to see such beauty but yes! thanks to my course Im slowly learning how to appreciate the beauty around me even the smallest detail means a lot.


note: My terms are not that broad, I dont know some terms and some Ive already forgotten so Im sorry for that. I am still a future architect in training(student:D) so I am still hoping to learn new and more definitions and terms as I go a long the way :) thank you:D


--tielle:)