History of Architecture II

•Early Christian and Byzantine

 Outline of Lecture
1. Introduction
•Geographical Influence
•Climatic influence
•Regional influence

2. Architectural Character

3. Planning
•Forms
•Byzantine Dome

4. Examples
• Saint Peter’s Rome, 333AD
• Sanit. Sophia, Constantinople
Roman Republic Empire Timeline
GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE- LOCATION
GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE- LOCATION
 LOCATION
1. The Early Christian and
Byzantine architecture
started in two Prominent
locations centered at
Rome and Byzantium or
Constantinople

2. From the two focal points

Early Christian and
Byzantine Architecture
spread to other areas in
the European and Asian
region
 Architectural Character
1. It represents fusion of
oriental and roman classical
Architecture.
2. The massive decoration had
its origin in the ‘Babylonian
Style’ while dome
construction was
incorporated from Rome.
3. Horizontal lands were
introduced the domical roof
created an impression of vast
enclosed space.
4. Interiors were decorated with
massive glass work.
 Planning-Form

1. Demand of the religion for worship space.

2. Mode of worship- determined form of Churches.
3. Requirement of church- space for worship and burial.
4. Use of centrals square plans. On square divisions to
accommodate domes for roofing system is the measure
characteristic feature.
5. Modifications in Basilican plan consisted of
a. Deletion of atrium court
b. Incorporation of Nartex or vestibule (an antechamber, hall, or
lobby next to the outer door of a building. )as on Basilica of
Constantinople
c. Deletion of Belfry towers.
Byzantine Dome
 Byzantine Dome
1. A primitive form of dome and the barrel vault is of great
quality.
2. Built in stone, brick or mud.
3. In tracing the growth of the dome in horizontal times, it has
been regarded as an out come of the eastern empire,
because it was at Constantinople and in the byzantine
province that it was employed in ecclesiastical
structure(relating to the Christian Church ).
4. But it was the Romans who in reality developed the use of
dome as of all other applications of the semicircular arch
from Rome, gets carried to Constantinople and from the
same source different parts of western empire.
 Early Christian
Basilica

1. Propylaeum
2. Atrium
3. Narthex
4. Nave
5. Side Aisle
6. Crossing
7. Transept
8. Apse
9. Nave elevation
10. Clerestory
Types of Church
St. PETER’S ROME, 333AD
St. PETER’S ROME, 333AD
History of Architecture - I 17
 St. PETER’S ROME ,333AD

• BASILICA OF St. PETER (Original: 320-330 AD)

• Built by Constantine over the tomb of St. Peter who was a disciple of
Jesus(usual practice)
• Present church was modified after the 15th century (Renaissance
period: many architects like Bramante, Bernini, etc involved)
• Central nave with two aisles on either side
• Apse in the centre
• 22 columns with flat entablature supported nave walls

History of Architecture - I 18
 Santa Sophia , Istanbul
• Santa Sophia / Hagia Sophia (Divine wisdom) in Istanbul
• Vertical axis added to create tremendous sense of space
• Impact so dominant that later Turkish conquerors didn’t demolish it.
Instead they converted it into a mosque
• 9 centuries as a church
• 6 centuries as a mosque
• Now a museum
• Massive dome – precedent for later churches
• Dome supported by pendentives
• N-S thrust taken by additional pier
• E-W thrust taken by semi domes
• Apse / Mehrab on East (towards Mecca)
• Double narthex on West
• Istanbul / Constantinople : imp due to geographical junction between
trade routes between Europe & Asia
History of Architecture - I 19
History of Architecture - I 20
Santa Sophia , Istanbul

History of Architecture - I 21