HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

- Early Christian Architecture

- Byzantine Architecture
History of Architecture 1_Finals

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

History

• Christianity had its birth in Judea.

• Also known as Paleochristian Art. is the art produced by Christians or under Christian patronage from the
earliest period of Christianity to, depending on the definition used, sometime between 260-525 A.D.
• Places: Jerusalem, Syria, Judea, Synagogue, Italy, Ethiopia and Pompeii in Rome
• Happened after Constantine won the battle of the Milvian Bridge. Making him the principal patron of
Christianity.
• Christian Architecture are divided in four phases: Early Christian and Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and
lastly Renaissance.
• Most of the structures and artworks are made in relation to the stories in the Bible, which Constantine is the
first one to publish it.
• Lacking of external decoration but has intricate and detailed designs in the interior.
• Just like the Romans, the early Christians uses concrete, arches and even columns in their structures.
• A distinct emphasis was placed on the centralized plan, which was of round, polygonal, or cruciform shape
Early Christian Temple
• Compared to Basilicas, Christian Temples has a covenant, a chest given by God, instead of a cross.
• These are the places of worship of Christians before Constantine but after Jesus’ Death.
• These structures are often found in Jerusalem and in Judea, often resembles a house.
• A place for congregation, no other necessary parts like baptistery.
Dura-Europos Church
• The earliest Christian house church, located by the 17th tower and preserved by the same defensive fill that
saved the synagogue.
• The building consists of a house conjoined to a separate hall-like room, which functioned as the meeting
room for the church. The surviving frescoes of the baptistery room are probably the most ancient
Christian paintings.
• The "Healing of the paralytic" and "Christ and Peter walking on the water". These are the earliest depictions
of Jesus Christ ever found and date back to 235 AD
The Christian Basilica
• Derived from the Roman Basilica but because compared to Roman religion, Christian Religion does not
require burning food to an idol, it’s about coming together as a congregation.
• On the right is the Exterior and Interior of Sta. Sabina in Rome.
• Used as a audience hall, congregation, and a place for the celebration of the Christian sacrament: The
Eucharist.
• Interiors are decorated with mosaics depicting stories and characters from the Bible.
• 3-5 aisles covered by a timber roof.
• Has a long colonnade which carry the eye along the sanctuary a treatment which makes these churches
appear longer than they really are.
Parts of a Basilican Church
1. Nave - The long, open rectangular colonnade was the perfect place for congregations/clergy to congregate.
2. Apse - That semicircular area at one end. Used as a location for the altar.
3. Atrium – before the entrance, an open-aired columned courtyard typical of Roman palace where a baptismal
fountain could be found. Also called as courtyard.
4. Narthex - Between the atrium and the nave or main entrance of the church.
5. Gatehouse – Entrance before the atrium.
6. Clerestory – a high section of wall that contains windows above eye level. The purpose is to admit light,
fresh air, or both. Symbol of transcendence and grace of God.
7. Aisles – where common people sits.
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
- Early Christian Architecture
- Byzantine Architecture
History of Architecture 1_Finals

The Baptistery
• A place of baptism not by sprinkling babies but by immersion --- of all ages wishing to be converted to
Christianity.
• ‘Baptismo’ means “I submerge”
• If the Churches are derived from the Roman Basilica, Baptisteries are derived from Roman baths providing
an in ground pool.
• Compared to Thermae and Balnea, most Baptisteries has an oculus lighting the main pool, mimicking the
baptism of Jesus in the river of Jordan.
• Often round or octagonal shaped with the baptism pool in the middle.
Mausoleum
• an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial
chamber of a deceased person or people.
• A Christian mausoleum sometimes includes a chapel.
Martyria
• Also called Martyrium
• Structure built at "a site which bears witness to the Christian faith, either by referring to an event in Christ's
life or Passion, or by sheltering the grave of a martyr“
• Stefano Rotondo, Rome at the right
• There was often a sunken floor, or part of it, to bring the faithful closer to the remains of the saint, and a
small opening, the fenestella, going from the altar-stone to the grave itself
• Later, they are turned into churches or made as an extension of a mausoleum.
Catacomb
• Human-made subterranean passageways for religious practice.
• Any chamber used as a burial place is a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with
the Roman Empire.
• The first place to be referred to as catacombs was the system of underground tombs between the 2nd and
3rd milestones of the Appian Way in Rome, where the bodies of the apostles Peter and Paul, among others,
were said to have been buried.
• catacumbae, a word of obscure origin, Latin phrase cata tumbas, "among the tombs".
• Catacomb of Priscilla on the left, burial of many Christians.
Early Christian Art
• Gold Glass – or Gold Sandwich Glass was a technique for fixing a layer of gold leaf with a design between
two fused layers of glass. roundels that are the cut-off bottoms of wine cups or glasses used to mark and
decorate graves in the Catacombs of Rome
• Mosaics - the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other
materials. It is a technique of decorative art or interior decoration.
Definition of Terms
• Synagogue - the building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and
instruction. A Jewish assembly or congregation.
• Frescoes - a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors
penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries.
• Fenestella - a niche like a window in the south wall of the sanctuary near the altar (as of a Roman Catholic
church) containing the piscina and often also the credence. b : a small window or opening like a window (as
in an altar front for allowing relics within to be seen)
• Congregation - a group of people assembled for religious worship.
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
- Early Christian Architecture
History of- Byzantine
Architecture 1_Finals
Architecture

BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

History
• Eastern Roman Empire of Byzantium (Constantinople)
• The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the
Roman Empire after 330 A.D., when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman
Empire east from Rome to Byzantium.
• Byzantium, "New Rome", was later renamed Constantinople and is now called Istanbul

Main Features
• Main Features Early Byzantine architecture was built as a continuation of Roman architecture. A distinct
style gradually emerged which imbued certain influences from the Near East and used the Greek cross plan
in church architecture.
• Main features Buildings increased in geometric complexity Brick and plaster were used in addition to stone
in the decoration of important public structures Classical orders were used more freely Mosaics replaced
carved decoration Complex domes rested upon massive piers, and windows filtered light through thin
sheets of alabaster to softly illuminate interiors.
• Architecture of the Byzantine Empire Byzantine Characterized especially by massive domes with square
bases and Architecture rounded arches and spires and extensive use of glass mosaics. Early Byzantine
architecture was built as a continuation of Roman architecture. Stylistic drift, technological advancement,
and political and territorial changes meant that a distinct style gradually emerged which imbued certain
influences from the Near East and used the Greek cross plan in church architecture.

Greek Cross Plan

A square plan in which the nave, chancel and transept arms are of equal length forming a Greek cross, the crossing
generally surmounted by a dome became the common form in the Orthodox Church, with many churches throughout
Eastern Europe and Russia being built in this way.

PARTS OF BYZANTINE CHURCH

• The altar or apse (sanctuary) is situated in the eastern part of the church, regardless of its shape. A bell
tower is attached to (or built separately by) the western part of the church.
• The iconostasis it is a screen or wall between the nave and the sanctuary, which is covered with icons.
• A cupola is a small, most often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or
to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome.
• The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches
consisting of the entrance or lobby area, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church's main
altar.
• The bema or bima is an elevated platform. In ancient Athens, it was used an orator's podium.
In synagogues, it is also known as a bima and is for Torah reading during services.
• the nave central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation.

HAGIA SOPIA
• Hagia Sophia “Church of Holy Wisdom,” chief church in Constantinople Rebuilt by Justinian between A.D.
532-537 after Constantine’s original was burned down in a riot Holy Wisdom"; Latin is a former Orthodox
patriarchal basilica later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
• From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople, except
between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of
Constantinople of the Western Crusader established Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May
1453 until 1934, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
- Early Christian Architecture
- Byzantine Architecture
History of Architecture 1_Finals

• Hagia Sophia Architects were Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles Reconciled basilica and central
plans Central dome 101 feet in diameter Pendentives made dome appear “suspended from by a chain from
heaven” At the dedication of the church, Justinian reported exclaimed, “Solomon I have outdone thee!”

Comparison Chart
Early Christian Architecture Byzantine Architecture

• Dwellers from Roman Empire • Greek Colony, Byzantium

• Christianity was introduced • Constantine, converted christian
• Basilica>Church (Rome>byzantium)
• Materials from old roman bldgs. • Domed Centralized Plan of churches with
• Timber Roof with King and Queen Post classical columns
• Mosaic on interiors or ext.west façade • Roof and ceiling (simple Compound,Special
• Orientation- façade at west,altar at east Design)
• Church Complex –Belfry,Campanile,Baptistery • Orientation- façade at west
• Tombs – buried within city walls, prohibits • Hagia Sophia
cremation • St. Basils Cathedral
• St. Mark, Venice