As Architecture is one of the visual arts that is part of our lives very intimately. We seek shelter and security in our homes. We are grateful to have places inside to work away from the outside elements. We shop inside and seek places of worship that are reflective of our faith in some way.
As we survey the development of religious architecture, one element that each generation or era has in common is that those structures in some way reflect our religious or spiritual faith. The reflection may be in the floor plan of the structure. It might be in the layout of the sanctuary or it might be in the decorative features.
Each period has its unique characteristics also. In this chapter, the direction is raised: Describe the chief characteristics of the Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic styles. How are these styles reflective of the religious attitude of the era? How are they alike and how are they different. Explain your response.