Ottonian architecture

St. Michael's Church, Hildesheim.

Reconstruction of the abbey of Essen.

Ottonian Architecture is an architectural style which evolved during the reign of Emperor Otto the Great. The style was found in Germany and lasted from the mid 10th century until the mid 11th century.

Ottonian architecture draws its inspiration from Carolingian and Byzantine architecture. Apart from some examples influenced by the octagonal Palatine Chapel at Aachen such as Ottmarsheim (11th century, Alsace) and the apse of the abbey of the Holy Trinity at Essen, religious architecture tends to diverge from the centralised plan. Inspiration though from the Roman basilica remains concurrent, and Ottonian architecture preserves the Carolingian double ended feature with apses at either end of the church.

Examples

• St Bartholomew's Church, Liège, Belgium.
• Church of St. Gertrude, Nivelles, Belgium (1046)
• Church of St. Michael, Hildesheim, Germany (1010–33)
• Abbey Church of Gernrode (960-965, apparently the first in Europe to have a tribune gallery)

See also

• Ottonian art
• Ottonian Renaissance