Discover
There are many different architectural styles. Most of the time architecture, visual art, literature and music are linked both in style and thinking. Many styles have returned in a renewed form and at times they are mixed. Boundaries between the different styles are sometimes unclear, countries date them in different ways, there are regional variations and styles can have different names depending on country. Empire, Karl-Johan, Biedermeier och Regency are, for example, the same style but with some regional differences. With a little practice these different style categories still make it possible to date a building, art work, a piece of music or a novel.
Romanesque style
The oldest churches around Vadstena were romanesque a style which has survived since late roman times. The style is characterised by rounded arches, heavy walls and small windows.
Gothic style
Has pointed arches, lighter walls and larger windows. The abbey church is a gothic building. Many romanesque churches have gothic arches constructed later than the church itself.
Renaissance
Means rebirth and is a style attempting to bring back antique ideals. Pillars, symmetry and the use of geometry is common The castle is built in the renaissance style.
Baroque
Is a style seeking grandeur. Fairly heavy buildings rich with decoration and a sense of drama and movement. Vadstena lacks true baroque buildings. The Krigsmanhuset portal, now found in the Monastery Museum is baroque.
Rococo
Builds on the rich decorations from the baroque but can be asymmetrical, uses shell ornamentation and at times Chinese elements. The Swedish rococo architecture was mostly strict. In Vadstena you find Trefaldighetsgården, attributed to Carl Hårleman who introduced Rococo in Sweden.
Neo-Classicism
In the mid 18th century Pompeii and Herculaneum were discovered and this resulted in a strong interest in Antiquity. Buildings in antique style were erected, often strict and with decorations such as friezes and statues. In Sweden we find the Gustavian style and Karl-Johan (empire) style. In architecture Neo-classisism lived on for a long time. Vadstena has a number of neo-classical buildings such as Långholmen and the Helgeandsgården elevation, both on Stora Torget. The Bergenstråhl house on Storgatan is the best example of Empire. On Knivsmedsgatan there is a villa in fine 1920s classicism.
New styles
Attempting to find a national style during the second half of the 19th century there was a return to the past. This style is imaginative and gets its inspiration from many different sources such as older timber houses, stave churches and forts. Many ”new” styles evolved, neo-gothic, neo-renaissance and so on. The often loose way of combining elements from different styles is called eclectic. The bank building on Rådhustorget could be called neo-romanesque and Asylen is a fine neo-renaissance building.
Art Nouveau
A new style from around the year 1900 and with soft forms inspired by nature. A beautiful art nouveau villa can be found on Bakgatan.
Task
Can you find a building from every century? Here are examples of buildings from the 13th century and onwards.