During which centuries did the Romanesque architecture primarily develop?

Romanesque architecture primarily developed during the 10th and 11th centuries, which marks its rise as a dominant architectural style in Europe following the decline of Roman architecture. During this period, there was a significant revival in building large stone structures, particularly churches and monasteries, characterized by their robust forms, semi-circular arches, thick walls, and small windows.

This architectural style emerged as a response to the needs for religious structures that could accommodate growing populations and serve as community centers. It also reflected the socio-political context of the time, as the Church sought to assert its influence and stability in a Europe that was experiencing a resurgence of urban life after the medieval period’s upheavals.

When considering the other time frames offered by the choices, it is evident that the earlier centuries cited (the 8th and 9th centuries) predate the full realization of the Romanesque style, as it was during the 10th and 11th centuries that architectural innovations and the construction of significant Romanesque churches truly flourished. Later centuries, such as the 12th and 13th or the 14th and 15th centuries, are more closely associated with Gothic architecture, which followed the Romanesque period