Romanesque used light to maximize the religious rite directing it through the constructive system to emphasise the ceremony and represent divinity – backlighting the altar at dawn, while focussing light towards it at dusk.
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Combining features of ancient Roman and Byzantine buildings and other local traditions, Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, thick walls, round arches, sturdy pillars, barrel vaults, large towers and decorative arcading.
Romanesque churches and castles were dark, with few openings. Wars and invasions were commonplace, so windows and doors were kept to a minimum. With stone and masonry buildings, buildings were safe from fire and invaders, but required large supports for the weight of walls and vaults.
Thick Walls, Small WindowsRomanesque churches were dark. This was in large part because of the use of stone barrel-vault construction. This system provided excellent acoustics and reduced fire danger. However, a barrel vault exerts continuous lateral (outward pressure) all along the walls that support the vault.
Romanesque buildings were very solid structures with thick walls. There's a good reason for that. Romanesque churches were mainly built of stone, which is heavy, particularly in a big vaulted roof. You need thick walls and broad columns to hold up that great stone roof.
Romanesque architecture is characterized by heavy masonry walls, rounded arches supported by piers, and barrel vaults. Gothic architecture has much thinner walls supported by flying buttresses, pointed arches, and stained glass windows.