HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II

(13AR1303)
Module 1

BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Hudha Abdul Salam

Assistant Professor
Department of Architecture
TKMCE, Kollam

Byzantine Architecture: Greek cross and Latin cross plans, Technique adopted to construct domes, Surface treatment
and material of construction. (Example; Hagia Sophia)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
By the time Constantine became the Caesar of the Roman empire, the
empire had split into two
• The Western Roman Empire centred in Rome, speaking Latin
• The Eastern Roman Empire of Byzantium

Byzantium, “New Rome” was later renamed as Constantinople and is now

called Istanbul.
The empire endured for more than a millennium
Influenced the Medieval & Renaissance era architecture in Europe
HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The Eastern Empire became strong & stable in the 6 th C under Justinian

• Lasting 1000 years, with great cultural history

• It felt to the Turks in 1453
• The emperor was forced to abandon Rome & moved to Milan and
then to Ravenna
• Barbarians spilled over the rest of the roman empire
• By the end of the 6th C there were a dozen of barbarian kingdoms,
which replaced the central authority o Roman Emperor
• Sea trade ceased, great cities were abandoned, and Rome shrunk,
every institution of government ceased except – Churches
 Byzantine Architecture

• Is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire

• Characterised especially by
• Massive domes with square bases
• Rounded arches & spires
• Extensive use of glass mosaics
• Early byzantine – built as a continuation of Roman architecture
• Stylistic drift
• Technological advancement
• A distinct style gradually emerged (with an influence from the
East)
• Greek cross plan in church architecture
Byzantine Architecture

• Greek cross plan in church architecture – A cross

with four equal arms at right angles
• Buildings increased in geometric complexity
• Brick & plaster were used
• Stone in decoration of important public structures
• Columns from classical orders were extensively
• Mosaics replaced carved decoration
• Complex domes rested upon massive piers
• Windows filtered light through thin sheets of
alabaster to softly illuminate the interiors
 GREEK CROSS

• A square plan – nave, chancel and transept arms are of equal length
to form a Greek Cross Form
• The crossing generally surmounted by a dome – a common form in
Orthodox church (many churches throughout eastern Europe & Russia
being built in this way)
• Churches of Greek Cross form often have a Narthex or Vestibule-
stretched across the front of the church
 GREEK & LATIN CROSS PLANS

The byzantine church of Holy Pisa Cathedral from the Leaning

Apostles, Athens – Greek Cross Plan Tower shows the Latin Cross Form with
wit central dome and the axis projecting apse, foreground and free
marked by the narthex ( transverse standing baptistery at the west
vestibule)
Byzantine Dome Construction

Most distinctive feature was the DOMED ROOF

Fusion of domical construction with the Classical
Columnar Style
(In Roman architecture – dome was placed only over
circular or polygonal base)

Any of the two additions were

introduces in the byzantine
churches to rest the dome above
the square base :
SQUINCH
PENDENTIVE
Byzantine Dome Construction
Windows were formed in the lower portion of the dome which made it
unstable
Later period the dome were hoisted upon a HIGH DRUM
These domes were believed to be constructed - Without Temporary
Support Or Centering
Byzantine Dome Construction
Domes were constructed using BRICKS or Some Light Porous Stone such as
pumice or even pottery
The simple use of Large Flat Bricks is quite a distinct system (probably derived
from Eastern Methods)

Grouping of small / semi domes round the large central dome was effective
In byzantine type – vaults & domes were visible externally (not as in the case
of timber roofs)
ie, the exterior closely corresponds with the interior
The mystical quality of Light Floods The Interior
The central dome dominates in the interior also – like a CANOPY
Creates a Halo Of Light from windows in the base of the dome.

An illusion that the dome is resting on the light that comes through them
like a floating dome of heaven

Light is the mystic element in the interiors of byzantine churches

It glitters the mosaics, shines from the marbles & pervades spaces that
cannot be defined
Material Substance – Transformed To Abstract Spiritual Vision
Materials of construction
Brick work – mortar with lime & sand with crushed
pottery, tiles or bricks
Core of the wall was sometimes done with concrete
( as in Roman)
External facade decoration – largely depended on
the arrangement of bricks
Usual horizontally laid – sometimes obliquely/ in the
form of meander fret / in the chevron / herringbone
pattern and in many other patterns giving great
variety to the facades
Attempt was made to ornament the rough brick
exterior with stone bands & decorative arches
Internally walls cladded with marbles ; vaults &
domes with coloured glass mosaics usually on golden
background
FEATURES OF BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE
Greek Roman & Oriental Elements in architecture & decoration

• Greco – Roman

Columns, arches, vaults, domes over

square base

• Oriental ( Eastern)

Rich ornamentation, rich use of

colour, mosaics, poly chrome
marble & stone works
play of light in the interiors
TYPICAL BYZANTINE CHURCH
 HAGIA SOPHIA
“Church of holy wisdom” Chief church in Constantinople
Rebuilt by Justanian between AD 532 – 537
Original by Constantine was burned in a riot
First – Orthodox patriarchal basilica; Then – a mosque Now – museum in
Istanbul, Turkey
360 AD – 1453 AD served as a cathedral of Constantinople
(except between 1204 -1261 when it was converted to a Roman Catholic
Cathedral) Mosque – from 29 May 1453 till 1934 From 1 February 1935 – Museum
HAGIA SOPHIA

Architects – Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles

Reconciled basilica and central plans
Central dome – 101’ diameter
Pendentives - makes the dome appear like - “Suspended By A Chain From
Heaven”
 V
HAGIA
V SOPHIA
STYLE OF HAGIA SOPHIA – CHURCH OF DIVINE WISDOM

Large Dome in centre of the structure

Four Massive Pillars arranged along four corners of a square – Unique
feature of Hagia Sophia
Dome – the main focus of Byzantine Church
 FROM CLASSICAL MATERIALISM TO CHRISTIAN TRANSCENDENTALISM
Hagia Sophia – similar to Pantheon – large; domed
Basic Difference – Pagan’s classical Point of view to Medieval point of view
Pantheon – everything was clear, understandable
H.Sophia – architectural form becomes blurred, softened
Mosaics covered upper part of the wall, the lower part – richly patterned marble
When there is no marble or mosaic then comes windows – large in number
Dome sits on a row of windows
A miniature heaven – symbolic of heaven
Pantheon was solid, massive; H.Sophia – insubstantial, shell like – walls disappear
BYZANTINE CAPITALS &
USE OF MARBLE
DOMES & LIGHT
 GALLERIES ALONG THE ASILE
MOSAIC WORKS
S MARK’S VENICE
HOW TO RECOGNISE BYZANTINE CHURCH ???
HOW TO RECOGNISE BYZANTINE CHURCH ???
HOW TO RECOGNISE BYZANTINE CHURCH ???