Byzantine architecture
Church of St John the Baptist in Crimea , Basilica of San Vitale | |
Years active | 4th century – 1453 |
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Byzantine culture |
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Byzantine architecture is the
The richest interiors were finished with thin plates of
Early Byzantine architecture drew upon earlier elements of Roman and Greek architecture. Stylistic drift, technological advancement, and political and territorial changes meant that a distinct style gradually resulted in the Greek cross plan in church architecture.[3] Civil architecture continued Greco-Roman trends; the Byzantines built impressive fortifications and bridges, but generally not aqueducts on the same scales as the Romans.
This terminology was introduced by modern historians to designate the medieval Roman Empire as it evolved as a distinct artistic and cultural entity centered on the new capital of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) rather than the city of Rome and its environs. Its architecture dramatically influenced the later medieval architecture throughout Europe and the Near East.
Characteristics
When the
In the same way the Parthenon is the most impressive monument for Classical religion, Hagia Sophia remained the iconic church for Christianity. The temples of these two religions differ substantially from the point of view of their interiors and exteriors. For Classical temples, only the exterior was important, because only the priests entered the interior, where the statue of the deity to whom the temple was dedicated was kept. The ceremonies were held outside, in front of the temple. Instead, Christian liturgies were held inside the churches.[4]
Columns
Byzantine columns are quite varied, mostly developing from the classical
The column in
There are two types of columns used at
The columns at Basilica of San Vitale show wavy and delicate floral patterns similar to decorations found on belt buckles and dagger blades. Their inverted pyramidal form has the look of a basket.
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Byzantine Ionic column from National Museum of Medieval Art (Korçë, Albania)
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Illustration of a Byzantine Corinthian column
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Byzantine composite column from Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (Ravenna, Italy)
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Byzantine basket column from Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)
Overview of extant monuments
Buildings increased in geometric
Early architecture
Prime examples of early Byzantine architecture date from the Emperor
One of the great breakthroughs in the history of Western architecture occurred when Justinian's architects invented a complex system providing for a smooth transition from a square plan of the church to a circular dome (or domes) by means of pendentives
In Ravenna, the longitudinal
Other structures include the ruins of the
Remarkable engineering feats include the 430 m long Sangarius Bridge, the pointed arch of Karamagara Bridge, as well as the dome of the Church of Hagia Sophia.
Middle Byzantine Architecture
In the
The
Comnenian and Paleologan periods
In Istanbul and
In Middle Byzantine architecture "cloisonné masonry" refers to walls built with a regular mix of stone and brick, often with more of the latter. The exterior of the 11th- or 12th-century Pammakaristos Church in Istanbul is an example, though it is even more renowned for Late Byzantine additions discussed below.
Late Byzantine Architecture
The
The Church of the Holy Apostles (Thessaloniki) is cited as an archetypal structure of the late period with its exterior walls intricately decorated with complex brickwork patterns or with glazed ceramics. Other churches from the years immediately predating the fall of Constantinople survive on Mount Athos and in Mistra (e.g. Brontochion Monastery). That site also has preserved secular architecture such as the Palace of the Despots and several houses.
In the late Byzantine period, c. 1310, a highly ornate parekklesion was added to the Pammakaristos Church in Constantinople for the tomb of Michael Glabas Tarchaniotes, a Byzantine aristocrat and general who lived c. 1235 to c. 1305–08.[6] It displays the attenuated proportions favored in the late Byzantine era, as well as shifts in style in the mosaics' treatment of figures.
Structural evolution
As early as the building of
Those of the latter type we must suppose were nearly always
At Saint Sergius, Constantinople, and San Vitale, Ravenna, churches of the central type, the space under the dome was enlarged by having apsidal additions made to the octagon. Finally, at Hagia Sophia (6th century) a combination was made which is perhaps the most remarkable piece of planning ever contrived. A central space of 100 ft (30 m) square is increased to 200 ft (60 m) in length by adding two hemicycles to it to the east and the west; these are again extended by pushing out three minor apses eastward, and two others, one on either side of a straight extension, to the west. This unbroken area, about 260 ft (80 m) long, the larger part of which is over 100 ft (30 m) wide, is entirely covered by a system of domical surfaces. Above the conchs of the small apses rise the two great semi-domes which cover the hemicycles, and between these bursts out the vast dome over the central square. On the two sides, to the north and south of the dome, it is supported by vaulted aisles in two stories which bring the exterior form to a general square.
At the Holy Apostles (6th century) five domes were applied to a cruciform plan; the central dome was the highest. After the 6th century there were no churches built which in any way competed in scale with these great works of Justinian, and the plans more or less tended to approximate to one type. The central area covered by the dome was included in a considerably larger square, of which the four divisions, to the east, west, north and south, were carried up higher in the vaulting and roof system than the four corners, forming in this way a sort of nave and transepts. Sometimes the central space was square, sometimes octagonal, or at least there were eight piers supporting the dome instead of four, and the nave and transepts were narrower in proportion.
If we draw a square and divide each side into three so that the middle parts are greater than the others, and then divide the area into nine from these points, we approximate to the typical setting out of a plan of this time. Now add three apses on the east side opening from the three divisions, and opposite to the west put a narrow entrance porch running right across the front. Still in front put a square court. The court is the
The continuous influence from the East is widely shown in the fashion of decorating external
Legacy
In the West
Ultimately, Byzantine architecture in the West gave way to Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture. But a great part of current Italy used to belong to the Byzantine Empire before that. Great examples of Byzantine architecture are still visible in Ravenna (for example Basilica di San Vitale which architecture influenced the Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne).
In the East
As for the East, Byzantine architectural tradition exerted a profound influence on early Islamic architecture, particularly Umayyad architecture. During the Umayyad Caliphate era (661-750), as far as the Byzantine impact on early Islamic architecture is concerned, the Byzantine arts formed a fundamental source to the new Muslim artistic heritage, especially in Syria. There are considerable Byzantine influences which can be detected in the distinctive early Islamic monuments in Syria (709–715). While these give clear reference in plan - and somewhat in decoration - to Byzantine art, the plan of the Umayyad Mosque has also a remarkable similarity with 6th- and 7th-century Christian basilicas, but it has been modified and expanded on the transversal axis and not on the normal longitudinal axis as in the Christian basilicas. The tile work, geometric patterns, multiple arches, domes, and polychrome brick and stone work that characterize Muslim and Moorish architecture were influenced heavily by Byzantine architecture.
Post-Byzantine architecture in Eastern Orthodox countries
In Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Russia and other Orthodox countries the Byzantine architecture persisted even longer, from the 16th up to the 18th centuries, giving birth to local post-Byzantine schools of architecture.
- In Medieval Bulgaria: The Preslav and Tarnovoarchitectural schools.
- In Medieval Serbia: Vardar architectural school and Morava architectural school.
Neo-Byzantine architecture
Important Byzantine monuments
Hagia Irene
One of the less famous Byzantine churches is Hagia Irene. This church served as a model church for the more famous church, Hagia Sophia. Construction on the church began in the 4th century. This was the first church that was built in Constantinople, but due to its location, it was severely damaged by earthquakes and the Nika riots, and required repair several times. The Hagia Irene is defined by its large atrium, and is in fact the only surviving building of the Byzantine Empire to have such a feature.[8]
Construction
Hagia Irene is composed mainly of three materials: stone, brick, and mortar. Bricks 70 cm x 35 cm x 5 cm were used, and these bricks were glued together using mortar approximately 5 cm thick. The building materials chosen for the construction of the church had to be lightweight, durable, and strong. Volcanic materials were chosen for this purpose, as volcanic concrete is very light and durable. Perhaps the most definite feature of the Hagia Irene is the strict contrast between the interior and exterior design. While the plain outside composed of stone and brick favors functionality, the interior is decorated in elaborate mosaics, decorative marble, and, in some places, covered in plaster. Another important characteristic of the church include two domes that follow one behind another, the first being a lower oval, and the second being a higher semi-circle.[8]
History of Hagia Irene
Throughout history Hagia Irene has undergone several changes. There were multiple repairs due to the Nika riots and earthquakes. When the Ottomans took over Hagia Irene they repurposed it and made a few changes, but none as drastic as what was done to Hagia Sophia.[8] Today, Hagia Irene is still standing and open to visitors as a museum. It is open everyday, except for Tuesdays.
Construction of Hagia Irene
Time | Event |
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4th C. | Construction began |
532 | Church was burned during Nika riots |
548 | Emperor Justinian repaired the church |
740 | Significant damages from earthquakes |
1453 | Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans - became a weapons storehouse |
1700 | Became a museum |
1908-1978 | Served as a military museum. |
Hagia Sophia
The most famous example of Byzantine architecture is the
Construction of Hagia Sophia
The construction is a combination of longitudinal and central structures. This church was a part of a larger complex of buildings created by Emperor Justinian. This style influenced the construction of several other buildings, such as St. Peter's Basilica. Hagia Sophia should have been built to withstand earthquakes, but since the construction of Hagia Sophia was rushed this technology was not implemented in the design, which is why the building has had to be repaired so many times due to damages from the earthquakes. The dome is the key feature of Hagia Sophia as the domed basilica is representative of Byzantine architecture. Both of the domes collapsed at different times throughout history due to earthquakes and had to be rebuilt.[13]
History of Hagia Sophia
The original construction of Hagia Sophia was possibly ordered by Constantine, but ultimately carried out by his son Constantius II in 360. Constantine's building of churches, specifically the Hagia Sophia, was considered an incredibly significant component in his shift of the centralization of power from Rome in the west to Constantinople in the east, and was considered the high-point of religious and political celebration. The construction of the final version of the Hagia Sophia, which still stands today, was overseen by Emperor Justinian. Between the rule of these two Emperors, Hagia Sophia was destroyed and rebuilt twice. Following its reconstruction, Hagia Sophia was considered the center of Orthodox Christianity for 900 years, until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans.[14]
Time | Event |
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360 | Construction began |
404 | Hagia Sophia was burned down in public riot. |
415 | Construction begins on the next version of Hagia Sophia. |
532 | The church is once again demolished during Nika riots. |
537 | The final version of Hagia Sophia opens to Christian worship after five more years of construction. |
558 | Earthquake - dome collapsed |
859 | Fire damage |
869 | Earthquake damage |
989 | More earthquake damage |
1317 | Large buttresses added |
1453 | Constantinople fell to the Ottomans - converted into a mosque |
1935 | Hagia Sophia is converted into a museum by secularists |
2020 | Reverted to a mosque |
Gallery
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Mosaic of Jesus in Pammakaristos Church in Istanbul
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Mosaic of Saint Antony, the desert Father in Pammakaristos Church in Istanbul
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Byzantine mosaics in St Mark's Basilica, Venice
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Interior ofSt. Sophia's Church, Sofia(6th century)
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Mosaic above the entrance portal of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč (6th century)
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Hagia Sophia, Thessaloniki (8th century)
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Narthex of
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Interior ofChurch of St. George, Sofia, 4th century
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Agkistro Byzantine bath
See also
- Architectural style
- Architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School
- Architecture of Kievan Rus'
- Byzantine art
- Golden Age of medieval Bulgarian culture
- History of Roman and Byzantine domes
- Medieval architecture
- Neo-Byzantine architecture
- Ottoman architecture
- Russian-Byzantine architecture
- Sasanian architecture
- Armenian architecture
References
- ^ Dimitriu Hurmuziadis, Lucia (1979). Cultura Greciei (in Romanian). Editura științifică și encyclopedică. p. 93.
- ^ Graur, Neaga (1970). Stiluri în arta decorativă (in Romanian). Cerces. p. 38.
- ^ "Byzantine architecture".
- ^ Dimitriu Hurmuziadis, Lucia (1979). Cultura Greciei (in Romanian). Editura științifică și enciclopedică. p. 92.
- ^ Ousterhout, Robert (2021). "Middle Byzantine Church Architecture". In Freeman, Evan (ed.). Smarthistory Guide to Byzantine Art. Smarthistory.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Ousterhout, Robert (2021). "Late Byzantine Church Architecture". In Freeman, Evan (ed.). Smarthistory Guide to Byzantine Art.
- ISBN 978-83-903796-6-1.
- ^ ISSN 1877-7058.
- ^ a b Heinle & Schlaich 1996
- ^ Cameron 2009.
- ^ Meyendorff 1982.
- ^ Bordewich, Fergus M. "A Monumental Struggle to Preserve Hagia Sophia". Smithsonian. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
- ISSN 1877-7058.
- .
Works cited
- public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Byzantine Art". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
- Cameron, Averil (2009). Οι Βυζαντινοί (in Greek). Athens: Psychogios. ISBN 978-960-453-529-3.
- Heinle, Erwin; Schlaich, Jörg (1996), Kuppeln aller Zeiten, aller Kulturen, Stuttgart, ISBN 3-421-03062-6)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ISBN 978-0-913836-90-3.
Further reading
- Bogdanovic, Jelena. "The Framing of Sacred Space: The Canopy and the Byzantine Church", New York: Oxford University Press, 2017. ISBN 0190465182.
- Ćurčić, Slobodan (1979). Gračanica: King Milutin's Church and Its Place in Late Byzantine Architecture. Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 9780271002187.
- ISBN 0-7506-2267-9. Cf. Part Two, Chapter 11.
- Mango, Cyril, Byzantine Architecture (London, 1985; Electa, Rizzoli).
- Ousterhout, Robert; Master Builders of Byzantium, Princeton University Press, 1999. ISBN 0-691-00535-4.