Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/318

302 302 ITALIAN ARCHITECTURE. Part II. a mere ornamental string-course, which afterwards became the most favorite ornament, not only in Italy, but throughout ail Germany. Interesting as such an example is to the architectural antiquary who is tracing back and trying to understand the forms of a new style, it would be difficult to conceive anything much uglier and less artistic than such a facade as this of Novara, or that of San Antonio, last quoted. Their sole merit is their history and their expression of rude energy so characteristic of the people w^ho erected them. Scale, of Ffcl 739. Elevation and Section of the Fagade of the Cathedral at Novara. (From Osten.) The baptistery is older than the cathedral, probably as old as the age of Charlemagne ; and if it l)ad any features which could properly be called architectural, it ought perhaps to rank among Eomanesque buildings. In plan it certainly belongs to that style. Its chief point of interest, however, is that it contains the germ of those external galleries under the roof which form not only one of the most com- mon but also one of the most beautiful features of the class of build- ings Ave are now considering. From the elevation (Woodcut No. 740) it will easily be seen what Avas the motive and use of this arrangement, the first trace of which dates perhaps as far back as the baptistery at Nocera (Woodcut Xo. 300) ; for wherever a wooden roof Avas placed over a circular A'ault, it is evident that the external walls must be carried up higher than