Scribd
Upload
53 views

Background: Early Byzantine Architecture

Early Byzantine architecture developed after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Justinian reconquered parts of the lost Western Empire and established Constantinople as the new center. Significant architectural achievements included Hagia Sophia, featuring a massive central dome supported by pendentives, and the use of domes, vaults, and light construction materials. Middle Byzantine architecture featured churches in cross-in-square and octagonal plans topped by domes. Late Byzantine architecture showed declining imperial control but maintained artistic creativity, featuring segmented and excessive ornamentation.

Uploaded by

Srihari Surya Vamsi Batchala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
53 views

Background: Early Byzantine Architecture

Early Byzantine architecture developed after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Justinian reconquered parts of the lost Western Empire and established Constantinople as the new center. Significant architectural achievements included Hagia Sophia, featuring a massive central dome supported by pendentives, and the use of domes, vaults, and light construction materials. Middle Byzantine architecture featured churches in cross-in-square and octagonal plans topped by domes. Late Byzantine architecture showed declining imperial control but maintained artistic creativity, featuring segmented and excessive ornamentation.

Uploaded by

Srihari Surya Vamsi Batchala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

EARLY BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

BACKGROUND
 WESTERN EMPIRE IN RUIN

1. Rome twice sacked


2. Italy in hands of Ostrogoths

 JUSTINIAN

1. Re-conquers western empire


2. Launches era of Byzantine architecture
3. Establishes Constantinopole as center of political and architectural renewal
4. All religions were denied legal protection
5. Pagan temples were turned down and strict laws were passed to consolidate and unify the
Christian domination of the empire
6. He was able to recover Italy and Africa. Bridges, fortifications, aquaducts, churches, markets
and whole cities sprang up in the wake of conquest.
7. Windows were introduced

ARCHITECTURAL FACTORS
 CENTRAL- PLAN STRUCTURE

1. Square central core


2. Square pier forms
3. Galleries

 PENDENTIVE DOME

 LIGHTENING AND DECORATION

1. Transcendental effect
2. No visible surface left in a natural state

ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLES
 HAGIA SOPHIA
1. Lofty domes structure is produced
2. 30m sq. forms the center
3. At corners piers rise up to support four arches, between which are pendentives that holds a
dome scalloped with forty ribs.
4. The vaults made of bricks are thin and light weight.
5. Was considered as one of the greatest buildings in the western world

 SAINT VITALE, RAVENNA

 SAINT MARCO, VENICE

 CHURCHES IN CONSTANTINOPOLE DEDICATED TO SERGIUS AND BACCHUS

 NARTHEX ALLIGNED WITH THE SS.PETER AND PAUL

{Remarkable feature of SS. Sergius and Bacchus and Hagia Sophia is that there is no
separate room to the right or left of the alter-rooms.}

MIDDLE BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

BACKGROUND
 RENAISSANCE

 FOLLOWS PERIOD OF THE DARK AGES

 CULMINATED IN ICOLOCLASM

 EMPIRE REDUCED FROM JUSTINIAN’S RULE

 RELATIVELY STABILIZED

 REACHED A PEAK IN A FLOWERING OF THE ARTS

ARCHITECTURAL PLANS
 CROSS IN SQUARE

1. Domed central core


2. Radiating cross arms
3. Barrel valued
4. Vaulted corner units

 OCTAGONAL DOMED
1. Triple domed
2. Double apsed outer narthex
3. Inner narthex with a single dome
4. Barrel vaulted aisles

 CROSS OCTAGON

1. Begins as a cube
2. Transformed through squinches
3. Becomes an octagon, cupola, and cross
4. Interpenetrates a secondary belt of structure

ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLES

 BODRUM CAMII

 THEOTOKOS CHURCHES, HOSIOS LOUKAR

LATE BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

BACKGROUND
 PERIOD BETWEEN 1267 – 1453

 PALEOLOGIAN DYNASTY RULE

 DIMINISHING EMPIRE

 RETAINS A SURPRISING ARTISTIC CREATIVITY

 LATINS OCCUPY CONSTANTINOPOLE FOR 50 YEARS

ARCHITECTURAL FACTORS
 ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEM PUSHED TO THE LIMIT

 LACKED BALANCE AND HARMONY

 SEGMENTED SPACES ADDED

 EXCESSIVE AND MANNERISTIC

 TALL DOMES AND SEMI DOMES WERE INTRODUCED IN CHURCHES

ARCHITECTURAL EXAMPLES
 PANTANASSA

 PARIGORITISSA AT ARTA

 CHURCH OF GRACANICA

BYZANTINE CAPITALS
 2 TYPES – COMPOSITE AND IONIC

COMPOSITE
- Emerged during late Byzantine Empire

- Mixture of Corinthian and Ionic

- Composite capital lined the principal space of the Nave

IONIC
- Ionic capitals are used behind the composite in the side spaces

- Used in the minor position related to the composite order

 Capitals are filled with foliage in all short of variation.

 In some of the capitals there were lush leaves appeared to be cut-off in the spinning of the
scrolls

When Visigoths invaded Byzantine territories in 3 rd century they tended to use Vine and Plant motifs for
their Ornamentation which can be seen in their belt buckles.

BYZANTINE REVIVAL
There were little changes in this period

- Central Element was still a DOME resting on four columns placed in a square

- Compound Churches by adding new churches to old churches by opening a pathway between
them and uniting them by means of new NARTHEX

CHUCH OF CHRIST PANTOKARTOR


- Complex of 3 churches , completed by Emperor John ii

- South and north churches were built first

- The 3rd church dedicated to Archangel Michael which connected the two churches

- The building was made of bricks with plaster wall that was painted

You might also like