Early Medieval and Romanesque Architecture: Italy

For earlier Italian architecture, see Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture: Italy.

From 404 to 476 Ravenna, not Rome, was the capital of the (Western) Empire. After a period of rule by Theodoric the Goth, it became the capital again. The Lombard kingdom followed, during which Early Medieval or Lombard architecture made its appearance. Originating in North Italy, especially in Milan and Lombardy, it influenced Germany, Scandinavia and elsewhere. Early Medieval churches are basilican in plan, usually with a crypt. They have round arches, a good deal of arcading used as external ornament, rather flat sloping roofs, picturesque campanili (bell towers), and often stone barrel-vaulting over the aisles.

The following are the principal Early Medieval and Romanesque churches in Italy (up to the advent of the Gothic style, around 1240): S Pietro, Toscanella (739); S Maria in Cosmedin, Rome (772–95); S Ambrogio, Milan (789–824, but much altered since); S Giorgio in Velabro, Rome (827–49); Torcello Cathedral (864); St Mark's, Venice (begun 976); Pisa Cathedral (1063–1118); S Miniato, Florence (1013); Montecassino (1066); Salerno Cathedral (1084); S Abbondio (1095) and S Fedole at Como; Modena Cathedral (1099–1184); SS Giovanni e Paolo, Rome (12th century); S Zeno, Verona (1138); the Baptistery, Pisa (begun 1153); the Campanile, Pisa (begun 1173); the beautiful cloisters of St Paul without the Walls and of St John Lateran, both in Rome and both late 12th century; Parma Cathedral (1117); Piacenza (around 1120); the west front of Lucca Cathedral (1204). In southern Italy and Sicily: the Abbey of S Nicola, Bari (1087–1197); the collegiate church at Barletta; the cathedrals of Bari, Bitonto, Cefalu (1131), Giovinazzo, Messina (destroyed by earthquake, 1908), Molfetta, Palermo and especially Monreale in Sicily, built by the Normans (1166–82).

For later Italian architecture, see Gothic architecture: Italy and Italian architecture.