Carolingian architecture refers to the style of construction employed by the Carolingian rulers of northwestern Europe.
Carolingians were the prime power that arose to fill the gap after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Building on their military might, the Carolingians first became the rulers of the Germanic Franks, eventually expanding the frontiers of their realm to incorporate most of Western Europe into the Carolingian Empire.
Notable Carolingian rulers included the famous ruler Charlemagne.
The Carolingian rule extended over the later part of the 8th century and most of the 9th century. During this period, Carolingians commissioned the construction of a number of buildings, most of them ecclesiastical, in their realm. Few examples of this Carolingian architecture are extant today.
The Carolingian architecture was recognizable by its use of classic architectural features such as basilica and classical columns as well as the use of unique features such as the pier, transept, and choir.
One of the most prominent influences on Carolingian architecture was the Roman legacy of Western Europe. Although Carolingians ruled Western Europe nearly three centuries after the collapse of Roman might, they still inherited much of the way of the cultural and intellectual legacy of Rome.
This included the unique style of architecture which was employed in Roman construction. This is manifest in the fact that most Carolingian churches are basilica, closely imitating the early Christian churches built during the days of the Roman Empire.
In some instances, Carolingian architecture also admits influence from the Byzantine Empire as well, especially from the buildings commissioned by the Byzantine emperors in Ravenna, Italy. However, Carolingian architecture essentially evolved a unique character of its own despite accepting such deep influences.
A notable example of this is the use of westwork in a number of Carolingian buildings. Westwork is a unique architectural feature that refers to a grand façade on the western entrance to a church building. Carolingians extensively used westwork in a number of ecclesiastical buildings.
Another feature that was uniquely Carolingian was the use of heavy piers in the construction of churches which allowed for the building of larger buildings. Carolingians also made use of the transept towards the eastern end of a Church and added the choir to the interior structure as well.
A notable thing about Carolingian architecture is that despite being short-lived, it gave birth to many features which were to remain a permanent part of ecclesiastical architecture in Western Europe for subsequent centuries.
