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Lecture 2 Byzantine Romanesque Gothic
Lecture 2 Byzantine Romanesque Gothic
Gothic Architecture
(1000 to 1400 AD)
Excellent
example of
creating a
unified series of
spaces based on
a centralised
dome,
surrounded by
semi-domes.
PLAN OF HAGIA SOPHIA
Hagia Sophia
About 100 ft in
diameter where the
central domed space
dominated the
architecture
Use of ‘Pendentives’
Mosaic
Marble
Solid /void
Light/dark
Mysterious -Screen
of Columns
The Byzantine Dome
SS. Sergius and Bacchus:
Constantinople
S. Vitale : Ravenna
Other Byzantine Churches
The Evolution of the Early Christian
Churches
Basilica : S. Peter’s Rome
Early Christian
churches adopted
the Roman Basilica
form which is
suitable to the needs
of the church rites
and rituals.
A tower rose from the roof over the point where the
transept crossed the nave. Four large supports called
piers held up the tower. An arcade separated the nave
from the side aisles. A gallery was built above the arcade.
The clerestory, made up of a row of windows set in
arches, topped the gallery
Durham cathedral
Not yet gothic
Durham
Norman period
Cathedral
started in the
Rounded
11th century arches
Later introduction
of Gothic elements
12th century church St Clemente, Rome, built
over the remains of a 4th century basilica
Apart from the
nave and the
aisles, it has an
atrium or forecourt
with ablutionary
fountain and a
large narthex or
porch where the
penitents and the
unbaptized could
hear the services
Romanesque
S Michele
Monastery of St
Gallen
9th century
Durham cathedral
Not yet gothic
Durham
Norman period
Cathedral
started in the
Rounded
11th century arches
Later introduction
of Gothic elements
Gothic Architecture
Key features of Gothic architecture were:
The pointed arch
The flying buttress
The vaulting rib
The moulding
Westminster Abbey
Different stages of
development best
shown here, typical of
manyGothic churches.
Pointed arches
Ribbed vaults
Flying buttresses
Pointed Arch
A) The round arch
requires a square vaulting
bay
B) If rectangular bay,
round arch on shorter
side must be raised (a)
C) All arches can be on
same level and get the
rectangular bay. Just
some more pointed than
others
D) Additional ribs can be
added.
Evolution of Gothic Vaulting
Evolution of Gothic Vaulting
Peterborough
Cathedral
Norman period
Rounded arches
Types of Arches
Types of Arches
Piers, capitals
and bases
The size of the Gothic
structure such as
piers, capitals and
bases are reduced
more and more
throughout the
different periods:
norman, early english,
decorated and finally,
perpendicular.
Different periods
Gothic Cathedrals
Gothic Cathedrals
From World Book © 2001 World Book, Inc., 233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL
60601. All rights reserved. World Book illustrations by Trevor Hill, Venner Artists Ltd.
Early churches were built, in most cases, on the oblong basilica plan or the round or many-sided centralized plan. Old
St. Peter's, left, which stood on the site of the present St. Peter's in Rome, was the best-known early Christian basilica.
It was begun about 330. San Vitale, right, is a centralized church in the Byzantine style. It was built in Ravenna, Italy,
in the mid-500's.
From World Book © 2001 World Book, Inc., 233 N. Michigan
Avenue, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601. All rights reserved.
World Book diagram