Cross Vault

Intersecting vaults forming a cross.

Overview

Cross vaults, built with stone, create strong ceilings, common in Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Core Characteristics

• Cross-shaped intersections.
• Structural stability.
• Romanesque and Gothic use.

Notable Examples

• Speyer Cathedral (Germany, 1061, cross vaults).
• Durham Cathedral (UK, 1135, cross vaulting).

Architectural Connections

• Romanesque: Structural focus.
• Religious: Cathedrals.
• Romanesque Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Led by Romanesque masons, it supports large interiors.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Vaulting (technique), Structuralism (theory), Vault (element), Gothic Architecture (movement)