DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25500#0267
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COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE.
2. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER.
The Dutch character of simplicity is translated into their
architecture, their churches are barn-like, and contrast
with the richly-treated town halls of Belgium.
The hilly, or eastern, portion of the country partook of
the influence of German work, while the flat, or western,
portion (Flanders) naturally fell under the influence of
French work.
3. EXAMPLES.
CATHEDRALS.
The cathedrals of Tournai, Ypres, Brussels, and Antwerp
(No. 103) are among the more important, and show a general
inclination to French ideas, in their “short and wide” plan.
The seven aisles at Antwerp are to be noted. The cathedral
of Tournai well illustrates three successive periods. The
nave is Romanesque; the transepts, with four towers and a
lantern, and bold apsidal termination, is in the transition
style ; and the choir is fully developed Gothic, very light and
elegant in character. The whole cathedral is built of
granite.
CIVIL AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
shows still more the independent and prosperous condition
of these mediaeval towns. The possession of a “ beffroi ”
(or belfry) attached to the town hall was an important
privilege granted by charter; the lower portion was of
massive construction, and was used as a record office. The
beffroi at Bruges is one of the most picturesque of these
towers; it is 300 feet high, and forms a landmark for many
miles round (No. 104).
The town halls are also exceptionally fine; those at
Brussels, Bruges (No. 104), Louvain, and Ghent (No. 105)
being the more important. Many are designed on the same
lines, and are of several storeys in height, surmounted by a
high roof, with dormer windows in tiers. The central por-
COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE.
2. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER.
The Dutch character of simplicity is translated into their
architecture, their churches are barn-like, and contrast
with the richly-treated town halls of Belgium.
The hilly, or eastern, portion of the country partook of
the influence of German work, while the flat, or western,
portion (Flanders) naturally fell under the influence of
French work.
3. EXAMPLES.
CATHEDRALS.
The cathedrals of Tournai, Ypres, Brussels, and Antwerp
(No. 103) are among the more important, and show a general
inclination to French ideas, in their “short and wide” plan.
The seven aisles at Antwerp are to be noted. The cathedral
of Tournai well illustrates three successive periods. The
nave is Romanesque; the transepts, with four towers and a
lantern, and bold apsidal termination, is in the transition
style ; and the choir is fully developed Gothic, very light and
elegant in character. The whole cathedral is built of
granite.
CIVIL AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
shows still more the independent and prosperous condition
of these mediaeval towns. The possession of a “ beffroi ”
(or belfry) attached to the town hall was an important
privilege granted by charter; the lower portion was of
massive construction, and was used as a record office. The
beffroi at Bruges is one of the most picturesque of these
towers; it is 300 feet high, and forms a landmark for many
miles round (No. 104).
The town halls are also exceptionally fine; those at
Brussels, Bruges (No. 104), Louvain, and Ghent (No. 105)
being the more important. Many are designed on the same
lines, and are of several storeys in height, surmounted by a
high roof, with dormer windows in tiers. The central por-