Building Projects Six Building Projects

Building Projects

Six Building Projects of the Carolingian Renaissance and the Crusades

Carolingian Renaissance:

Palatine Chapel in Aachen (AD 792 -- 805)

The Palatine Chapel in Aachen was built as part of Charlemagne's palaces. The palace was located north of the current city Aachen, and present-day sits in the German Land of North Rhine-Westphalia (Favier p. 286). Charlemagne belief was to have the Palatine Chapel in Aachen as a place of religious worship and also serve as a building of royalty for the king (Favier p. 502). The architect that was given the responsibility for constructing the Palatine Chapel in Aachen was Odo of Mete (Favier p. 502). Mete created the massive structure and may have been a magnificent architect of his time, unfortunately there is very little historical information known about Mete.

Charlemagne was engaged in a political, economic, and territorial rivalry with the Byzantine Empire and this coupled with the destruction of his palace in Worms encouraged the creation of the palace. Charlemagne chose the site of Aachen after careful consideration and his experiences as a military leader. Aachen's geographic location was an important factor for Charlemagne; the place was centered in the Carolingian heartlands in which the cradle of Charlemagne's family called home (Favier p. 288). Charlemagne envisioned the palace as a place that had tremendous advantages from him. The advantages include the closeness in proximity of operations in Saxony, a forest surrounded with game for the hunter, and the benefit of the hot spring for the emperor (Favier p. 289).

1.2. Design

Charlemagne wanted the Palatine Chapel in Aachen to emulate Roman architecture as well as display characteristics of early Christian and Byzantine structures. The palace was a magnificent structure that was constructed with multi-colored marble; doors decorated with lion heads, and specially designed interior railings (Langmead & Garnaut p. 60). The Palatine Chapel in Aachen was built with a domed roof, included an image of Christ in Majesty, an upper gallery designed with a special throne area, and a main entrance dominated by westworks (Langmead & Garnaut p. 60). Westworks were a creation of the Carolingians and were tall monumental entrances (Langmead & Garnaut p. 60).

The Palatine Chapel in Aachen was inspired by Charlemagne and his trips to Ravenna. After visiting Ravenna, Charlemagne had imagined a great palace similar to an octagonal church he visited three times. The plan is inspired by Basilica of San Vitale that was built by Justinian I in the 6th century (Riche p. 57). Historical experts also believe that the Palatine Chapel in Aachen displayed characteristics from the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus and Constantinople's Chrysotriklinos, which was the main throne room in the Great Palace of Constantinople (Riche p. 57).

1.3. Construction

Charlemagne ordered the construction of the Palatine Chapel in 792, which included the process of building the rest of the palaces structures (Conant p. 47). The palace was declared sacred in 805 by Pope Leo III in honor of the Virgin Mary (Conant p.47). The eastern portion was designed with a square apse and the chapel's entrance included a westward monumental atrium (Conant p. 47). The plan and decor of the palace combined architectural elements of Classical, Byzantine, and Pre-Romanesque as part of Charlemagne's vision (Conant p. 48).

Odo of Metz designed the palace with a simple exterior and a complex interior that included a double shell octagonal dome, a two story elevation, and elaborate decor from the time. A sixteen-sided ambulatory with an overhead gallery encircles the dome. Charlemagne requested mosaic, marble, and other raw materials used in Rome and Ravenna for his palace (Favier p. 285). The barrel, groin vaults, and an octagonal cloister-vault are borrowed from late Roman architecture (Favier p. 285). Charlemagne urged his architect Odo of Metz used a multi-colored marble veneer to create an awe-inspiring interior. Metz also used spoila as well as newly carved materials in building the palace. Bronze decorations of high value were scattered throughout the palace.

1.4. Significances

There have been upgrades to the Palatine Chapel in Aachen over time, some due to invasion and other influences. Most notably, after a fire, some of the original elements of the octagonal roof were destroyed. The replacements were more 19yh century architecture, and it depicted the 24 elders of the Apocalypse wearing crowns and standing around the base of the dome (Favier p. 691). Over time the French added an apse to the eastern side and a city hall was added on in 1267 (Favier p .691). The Palatine Chapel in Aachen is a remarkable historical structure, and in 1978 was given the distinction of World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

2. Lorsch Abbey (ca. AD 800)

2.1. Background

The Lorsch Abbey is one of the most recognizable monasteries to come out of the Franco-German Empire. The abbey is located 10 miles east of Worms in the town of Hesse, Germany (Bullough p. 132). Count Cancor and his widowed mother Williswinda founded Lorsch Abbey in 764 as a proprietary church and a monastery on Laurissa (their estate). Cancor and Williswinda had entrusted government duties to Chrodegang (Cancor's nephew) who was the Archbishop of Metz. The popular Archbishop dedicated the church and monastery to St. Peter and became the first abbot (Bullough p. 132).

To increase the popularity of the abbey, Chrodesang obtained the sacred relic of Saint Nazarius and quickly put it on display in the basilica of the monastery (Bullough p. 133). The abbey received donations to help it flourish and in 766 Chrodesang resigned his post to Gundeland (his brother). Historically it is believed that many miracles occurred at Lorsch Abbey and when word spread of this the monastery was flooded with pilgrims from all around Europe (Bullough p. 132). Many popes and emperors gave Lorsch Abbey a favorable status and special privileges. The status and privileges helped to transfer Lorsch Abbey into a position of political power and influence.

2.2. Design and 2.3. Construction

The abbey had pre-Romanesque characteristics and was built similar to most churches during the time period (McClendon p. 99). Most churches in the early middle ages were set up similar in design. Lorsch Abbey followed suit with its dimensions and features. Lorsch Abbey had a main entrance at the western gate that included an atrium and a court for burials. The first atrium constructed at Lorsch Abbey was a little court with simple walls of brick (stone) and no covered walks (McClendon p. 99).

The south of the abbey was an enclosed rectangular court where the monks worked and lived; the monks were forbidden to leave this area (McClendon p. 99). Since the monks could not leave the enclosed rectangular area included a kitchen, storeroom, sickbay, workshops, and a basement. The north of Lorsch Abbey was designed with a typical cemetery or graveyard. The Lorsch Abbey (and many monasteries at the time) had difficulties bringing items from the outside (Glick, Livesey, & Wallis p. 399). This meant that the abbey would produce their own fruits and herbs; the herbs were used to season meals and to prepare remedies to help care for the sickly (Glick, Livesey, & Wallis p. 399)

2.4. Significances

Due to the fact that the Lorsch Abbey was given territorial rights and privileges it was often involved in feuds and wars. The feuds and wars over the years damaged the abbey eventually leaving it in ruins. In 1991, the ruined Lorsch Abbey was given the distinction of World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO p. 379).

3. Saint Justinus' Church, Frankfurt-Hochst (ca. AD 830)

3.1. Background

The Saint Justinus' Church is the oldest building in Frankfort, Germany, and it stands at the eastern part of the town Hochst overlooking the main river (Baedekers Frankfurt). Saint Justinus Church has a history closely related to the city of Hochst and was founded in the 8th century as a daughter city of Mainz (Baedekers Frankfurt). Archbishop Odgar of Mainz laid the foundation for the Saint Justinus church in Hochst and was later succeeded by Rabanus Maurus. Maurus made the final dedicated around 850 (Fegusson & Spiers p. 220). Saint Justinus' started to slow as a parish church and began to become a symbol of power for the Electorate of Mainz and the royal court at Frankfurt (Fegusson & Spiers p. 220).

3.2. Design and 3.3. Construction

St. Justinus' is a rare example of Middle Aged architecture and construction still standing. St. Justinus' originally was a six-bay basilica with three sanctuaries and apses at the east end (Fegusson & Spiers p. 220). The original entrance is in the west end of the central nave, the north side of the church at the northern sanctuary serves as the present-day entrance. The church was equipped with aisle windows that have since been replaced (Johnson p. 66).

The remainder of the Carolingian is still in place that includes two sanctuaries, the central nave with small round-arched clerestory windows, the flat ceiling, the aisles, and at the top of the two sets five columns (Johnson p. 66). St. Justinus' was influenced by St. Caster at Coblenz and churches Michaelstadt and Seligenstadt (Fegusson & Spiers p. 220). The columns and roofs are of cultural interest and the massive Gothic choir and its original seating still exist.

3.4. Significances

St. Justinus' has undergone changes over the years. In 1298 the relics of St. Justinus' were transferred to the mother church St. Margaret who in turn dedicated the church. In 1419 the Antoniter order made numerous altercations to the church including the building of the gothic chancel. In the early 18th century the church added an organ that is mostly intact today (The American Organist). In the 1930s and the 1980s St. Justinus' underwent restoration; today the church belongs to the parish of St. Josef in the Frankfurt district of Roman Catholic Diocese of Limburg (Baedekers Frankfurt).

Crusades:

4. Krak des Chevaliers, Syria (AD 1144 -- 1250) -- 950 words

4.1. Background

The Krak des Chevaliers was a famous crusader castle located in Syria. The word Krak is derived from the Syrian word karak, meaning fortress (Lepage). The fortress is strategically located in the east of Tartus, Syria in the Homs Gap atop a massive hill. The positioning of Krak des Chevaliers was significant because it was placed along the only route from Antioch to Beirut and the Mediterranean Sea. The location allowed the Hospitallers to exhibit influence over Lake Homs and to control the fishing industry as well as a watch tower against Muslim armies gathering in Syria.

Located on the site of a former Kurdish or Arab fortress, Krak de Chevaliers was built on an elevation 700 meters above the countryside to control access to the Orontes valley. Stierlin describes its origins: "during the Crusades, in 1142, Raymond II, Count of Tripoli, donated this site, which controlled access to the plain of Bekaa, to the Knights Hospitaller" (Stierlin 6). The small fortress was in an important location and seemed to the builders and warriors to be in a good defensive position overseeing the plain (Tyerman 198). The Knights Hospitaller immediately set about doubling the thickness of the limestone walls (to 80 feet) and installing defensive machicolations to repel Muslim invaders. Who, other than the knights themselves, contributed to its building is unclear, however. Lawrence hypothesizes several building stages: "in the inner ward the wall from the tower of entry L. To the tower with buttress-machicoulis P, including the chapel M, appears earlier than the rest of the inner ward. Of the outer ward the whole south front is Arab, and the western side so far as tower D" (94).

4.2. Design and 4.3. Construction

This great stronghold was undoubtedly a military advancement. Claster speaks of impregnable walls, interior accommodations for 2,000 knights, and a well-supplied source of water and a cavernous undercroft for storage of a five-year supply of food (263). Its strategically designed position atop steep-sided slopes was enhanced with surrounding double walls, a moat with a drawbridge, and semi-circular towers. The towers were connected by a long vaulted passage "that enabled mounted knights to ride straight up into the impregnable heart of the fortress" (Billings 83). All of this is expected from what historians know of the requirements of Crusader castle architecture. Stylistically it is a Gothic fortress. Yet it is important for another advance: the covered box machicolation. The master builder chose for the first time to employ this architectural feature. From these covered overhanging floor slots, missiles (stones) could be fired downward against scaling attempts. This is important, as Lawrence says, for "assailants could never get underneath the fire of the defenders on the fighting platform" (97). The machicolation was an innovative advance in military building and design. Combined with the other typical and accentuated features of the massive stone fortress, its architecture perfectly exemplifies the castle-constructing mastery of the Crusader builders.

In addition to the imposing exterior there was a pleasant interior. Harrison speaks of a fusion of religious and military architecture, by which he means fortifications guided by religious design, construction, and function (4). He says, "what is not usually appreciated is that the inner enceinte contains a monastic core of knights' hall, dormitory, cloister and chapel; here the warrior monk was totally isolated from the outside world and lived a life that could be separated from lay servants and mercenary soldiers" (Harrison 5). The great hall and cloister had ribbed architecture, while friezes, bosses, and capitals softened the facade of the central courtyard (Harrison 42). According to Billings, "the Castellan of the Order had his splendid gothic chamber, delicately carved and decorated, in the south-west tower; and in the courtyard below, you can still enter the Romanesque chapel and the refectory where crowned heads of Europe on crusade would have been entertained" (83). In other words, Krak de Chevaliers had stylish charm and Gothic spirit as well as structural strength.

4.4. Significances

Throughout history many invading armies attempted to overthrow and besiege the Krak des Chevaliers, and because of this changes occurred over time. In 1217, during the Fifth Crusade, King Andrew II of Hungary upgraded the outer walls and poured money into the guarding troops (Lepage). The fortress was eventually captured by Mamluk Sultan Baibars with some trickery by using a falsified letter ordering the castle surrendered to him. Baibars also strengthened the castle and used it as a base against Tripoli (Lepage).

Historians have described Krak des Chevaliers as an amazing fortress; T.E. Lawrence stated that it was "perhaps the best preserved and most wholly admirable castle in the world" (Albright p. 167). In 1935, Krak des Chevaliers was purchased by the French government. Pierre Coupel immediately began a process of restoration similar to previous works on the Tower of Lions and two castles at Sidon (Albright p. 167). The Krak des Chevaliers in one of the few sites in which Crusader art has been preserved over time and the castle and old fortress was a made a World Heritage Site in 2006 (UNESCO).

5. Al Karak, Jordan (AD 1140 -- 1152)

5.1. Background

Al Karak is a famous crusader castle located in Jordan, and is one of the largest castles in the area (Kennedy, p. 147). At one time Karak was a great kingdom and a crusader stronghold. The town is built on a triangular plateau and Al Karak sits on the narrow southernmost tip (Kennedy, p. 147). The castle is 140 kilometers to the south of Amman, and it is strategically placed on a hilltop 1000 meters above sea level surrounded by a valley on three of the sides (Kennedy, p. 147). Karak has a magnificent view of the Dead Sea from atop its high perch. Al Karak had a city of 20,000 people surrounding the castle, and to this day has buildings around it from the 19th century Ottoman period (Kennedy, p. 147).

The Iron Age is the first time individual began inhabiting the fortress (Holt). Karak was an important city for Moabites who called it Qir of Moab (Holt). The Bible mentions Al Karak and the city of Karak in the Book of Kings (16:9) and Book of Amos (1:5, 9:7). The Syrians settled geographically north of Palestine, and Tiglath-Pileser III sent prisoners there after the conquering of Damascus. In 105 AD the Romans had conquered the castle (Holt).

Historians believe the Al-Ghassasneh tribe to be the first tribal people to call home to Al Karak (Gubser p. 29). The Al- Ghassasneh consisted of the Adaileh, Dmour, Karakiyeen, Mbaydeen, Soub, and Suheimat families (Gubser p. 29). Late in the Hellenistic period, Al Karak was very important and under Roman leadership the city was known as Areopolis. During the Byzantine Empire Al-Karak was a bishopric seat and similar to the Church of Nazareth. From this point on Al-Karak remained Christian under Arab rule (Gubser p. 29).

5.2. Design and 5.3. Construction

The construction of Al-Karak had begun in the 1140s by Pagan the butler of Fulk of Jerusalem (Canton & Harik p. 125). The crusaders nicknamed it Crac des Moabites or Karak in Moab (Kennedy, p. 147). The castle is an example of Crusader architecture combining a mixture of European, Byzantine, and Arab designs (Kennedy, p. 147). The walls have been reinforced with rectangular projecting towers and long stone vaulted galleries and lighting provided only by arrow slits. Al-Karak has a deep moat that separates it from the rest of the hill on the western side. Moats are stereotypical features from Crusader castles (Canton & Harik p. 125). The high slopes of the spur are uniquely covered by a glacis. Al-Karak is a well built castle, but its design is much less complicated than Krak des Chevaliers and its masonry is a lesser version (Kennedy, p. 147). Al-Karak's lower court of the castle is home to the Karak Archaeological Museum that celebrates local history and archaeology of the Karak region from the prehistoric period until the Islamic era (Gubser p. 139). The museum tells the story of the histories of the Crusaders and the Muslims.

The Lord of Oultrejordain, Paganus made Karak the center of his power overtaking the lesser castle of Montreal (Gubser p. 139). Paganus believed Al-Karak was powerful because of its eastern position that pointed to the Dead Sea (Lemche p. 179). With this absolute advantaged Al-Karak controlled Bedouin herders and the essential trade routes from Damascus to Egypt and Mecca (Lemche p. 179). Over time, Paganus successors Maurice and Phillip of Milly added towers to protect the north and south sides with two massive (deep) rock-cut ditches (Gubser p. 139). One of the most unique features of the Crusader architecture is the north wall that is entrenched with immense arched halls on two levels (Lemche p. 179). The north wall had multiple purposes including serving as a living quarters and stables for horses as well as a defense system for protecting the castle from above (Gubser p. 139).

5.4. Significances

Al Karak has undergone many changes throughout history because of the damage it has received in various battles (Gubser p.1). Shorty after World War I Karak and Al Karak became of the Syrian Kingdom (Gubser p.1). In 1920 the French took control of the city and the castle and in 1921 the city and castle became part of the Emirate of Transjordan (Gubser p. 1). In modern times the city is a market town that depends on agriculture and the castle has undergone much restoration and Al Karak is a landmark visited by many incoming tourists (Gubser p. 1).

6. Margat, Syria (AD 1062- 1285)

6.1. Background

The Margat castle is located near Baniyas, Syria and was a Crusader fortress that was a stronghold of the Knights Hospitaller (Boas p. 230). The Margat castle was nicknamed the Castle of the Watchtower after it was built (Burnett p. 205). The castle is close in proximity to the Mediterranean coast and south of Baniyas. The Castle of the Watchtower is strategically built on a hillside 360 meters above sea level between the rods of Tripoli and Latakia peering down onto the Mediterranean Sea (Boas p. 230).

The Margat was an ancient fortress that protected its patrons, and it was constructed in 1062 by local Muslim lords or rulers (Burnett p. 205). The local Muslims kept control of the stronghold until the aftermath of the First Crusade. In 1104 the Principality was defeated at the Battle of Harran (Burnett p. 205). After the battle the Byzantine Empire took advantage and captured the Castle of the Watchtower. Several years later the Margat castle was recaptured by the Principality under Tancred, Prince of Galilee (Burnett p. 205).

In 1170 the Castle of the Watchtower was under control of Reynald II Mazoir of Antioch who was a count of Tripoli (Nicholson p.16). Since the castle was so spacious the count of Tripoli had his family and household officials living there as a homestead. The Mazoir family was overwhelmed by the cost of the massive castle relinquishing it in 1186 (Nicholson p.16). The Hospitallers took time to rebuild and expand the castle and at that time the castles 14 towers were believed to be impenetrable (Burnett p. 205). Around 1240 the Bishop of Valenia used Margat as his personal headquarters.