Byzantine culture

Reghină Paula-Elena
 Byzantine Art
• Byzantine art It encompasses all the works of painting, architecture and
other visual arts produced in the Byzantine Empire, which were centered
on Constantinople. In addition, it includes works of art created in other
areas, but directly affected by the influence of the Byzantine artistic style.
§ The images and representations created in the paintings and buildings had a
rather homogenous character throughout the empire .This was especially
surprising, given the large area of land occupied by this civilization.
• The Byzantine Empire began as the
capital for the eastern part of the
Roman Empire. The city of
Constantinople, byzantium later,
Istanbul today – became the center of
Rome's political power. It was also the
center of the region, of power, of a
vibrant and sophisticated society.
 Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

•
• Housed in the palace of Ibrahim Pasha, who
was the Grand Vizier for Sultan Süleyman
the Magnificent, this museum is a
mandatory attraction for anyone interested
in Ottoman and Islamic art. The carpet
collection displayed here is vast and is
announced by textile specialists as the best
in the world. This is a first place to come
and take a look at the horrific range of
Styles of Turkish carpets
 Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern is one of the most surprising tourist

attractions in Istanbul.The project was started by Constantine
the Great, but finished by Emperor Justinian in the VI century.
The most famous of these are the bases of the columns known
as The Medusa Stones in the northwest corner, with the
sculptures of the Medusa head.A visit here is very
atmospheric, with the columns beautifully lit and with the soft
and constant drain of water around you.
 Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sophia, from the Greek Aghia Sophia, or

the Church of The Holy Wisdom, also known by
other names such as Sancta Sophia in Latin, or
Ayasofya in Turkish, is an old cathedral
belonging to the Orthodox Church of
Constantinople, and which is located in the city
of Istanbul in modern-day Turkey. It was
converted into a mosque by the Turks.
 Fortress Yedikule
The fortress stands in front of the "Porta
Aurea" (Golden Gate), once the most
magnificent entrance to the Byzantine
capital, and a Roman triumphal arch, which
was often the scene of the glorious entrances
of the Byzantine emperors.
It had three gold-plated gates, the one in the
middle of which was larger than the two side
gates, which can still be seen today, despite
the building.
 Curiosities about the Byzantine Empire
• The bizarre fleet was the first to use a creepy liquid in naval battles. The liquid was thrown towards the
enemy ships and troops through large siphons mounted on the bow of the Byzantine ships. It ignited
when it came into contact with seawater, and could be extinguished very hard.
• It combines Greek practices with Roman traditions. Byzantine culinary tastes were based on the regions
where Hellenism developed: cheese, figs, eggs, olive oil, nuts, almonds, apples and pears, all of them
being basic for a Byzantine diet.
•
• The Byzantine Empire consisted of several small towns and seaports, linked together by a developed
infrastructure. The production was very high, there were even many people who owned land. The
Byzantines had a Christian lifestyle, more domestic, in which women dedicated themselves to raising
children. There were even more types of public places where men relaxed after working hours.
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