Measurement of intelligibility and clarity of the speech in romanesque churches

Intelligibility and clarity of the speech are important acoustic parameters of sacred spaces, such as churches and temples. The study focuses on the description of the acoustic characteristics of Romanesque churches with a matroneum from the 10th up to the 12th century and compares the results of measurements taken from different positions intended for speech recitation. From the complex acoustic research, the case study focuses on the presentation of the results of measurements of clarity and intelligibility of the speech via acoustic field research. The research objects are three important Romanesque churches with a matroneum in Slovakia-Christian Reformed Church in Kalinčiakovo, St. Stephen-King Church in Nitra and the Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Sádok. The aim of the research is to highlight not just the differences but also the commonalities of the selected acoustic parameters of these churches.