Editing Rose window (section)

=== Romanesque Circular windows ===
Circular windows and decorative circular recesses are a feature of many [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] churches and cathedrals, particularly in Germany and Italy where the style existed for a prolonged period, overlapping the development of Gothic in France and its arrival with French architects in England.

In Germany, [[Worms Cathedral]], has wheel windows in the pedimental ends of its nave and gables, very similar to the Early Christian [[Basilica]] of S. Agnese in Rome. The apsidal western end has a central wheel window with smaller oculi in each face. The Church of the Apostles, [[Cologne]] has an array of both ocular and lobed windows forming decorative features in the gables and beneath the [[Rhenish helm]] [[spire]]. The octagonal [[dome]] has a ring of oculi with two in each of the curved faces.<ref name="Banister Fletcher"/> 
[[File:Avila San Pedro View.jpg|thumb|upright|San Pedro, [[Ávila, Spain|Ávila]], Spain]]
In [[Třebíč]], [[Czech Republic]], is the 12th- and 13th-century Romanesque style Basilica of St Procopius with apsidal windows similar to those at Worms, but in this case the openings are filled with tracery of a Gothic form, clearly marking the transition to a new style.

In Italy, the use of circular motifs in various media was a feature of church facades, occurring on [[Early Christian art|Early Christian]], [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]], [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]], [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] and [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] churches, a well-known example being those great circles in [[polychrome]] marble which complement the central circular window on [[Leon Battista Alberti|Alberti's]] Early Renaissance façade at [[Santa Maria Novella]] in [[Florence]].<ref>Joseph Rykwert, ''Leonis Baptiste Alberti, Architectural Design'', Vol 49 No 5–6, Holland St, London</ref> Oculi were also typically used in the drums supporting domes and as upper lights in octagonal baptisteries such as that at [[Cremona]].

Romanesque facades with oculi include [[San Miniato al Monte]], [[Florence]], 11th century, [[Pavia|San Michele, Pavia]], c. 1117, and [[Pistoia]] Cathedral, 1150. As the windows increased in size in the later Romanesque period, wheel windows became a standard feature of which there are fine examples at [[Verona|San Zeno Maggiore, Verona]] and [[Monza]] Cathedral.<ref name="Banister Fletcher"/>

On the Romanesque façade of [[Spoleto]] Cathedral there is a profusion of recessed and traceried oculi surrounding the central features of a rose window set within a square beneath a large mosaic of 1207.

In England there exist five Romanesque wheel windows, notably those at [[Barfreston]] and [[Castle Hedingham]] parish churches.