Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp

Topics

Early Christian Architecture Rome Structures Structures in the Holy Lands Milan Structures Ravenna Structures Structures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Early Christian Architecture

The most crucial period of Christianity was the first three centuries A.D.

Officially recognized as the state religion of Rome in 326 A.D. by the Roman Emperor Constantine

Replaced Paganism

First Christian architecture was modest in scope and served two needs:
Provided a space for spiritual needs of the living Provided a burial place for the dead

Early Christian Architecture

Early Christian meeting places were actually set-up in preexisting apartments or homes

These locations were known as titilus Most were rebuilt into full scale churches

Best known early Christian architecture are the burial places, known as catacombs

Early Christians were quite poor Burial was provided in individual shelf tombs or private family chambers Usually located beneath churches

Early Christian Architecture

Open air cemeteries were also in existence

Actually preferred over the dreary catacombs Vatican Hill

Modest monument of the late second century Said to have marked the grave of Saint Peter Now occupied by the church of Saint Peter

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Roman Structures

Lateran
Constantine donated this structure to be seat of the Bishop of Rome (The Pope) Built around 313 A.D., prior to the official establishment of Christianity in Rome The first important Christian structure in Rome Has been rebuilt, leaving only its foundations and historical evidence as to its original form

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Roman Structures

(Old) St. Peters Church

Considered the most important basilican church built by Constantine Building began around 333 A.D. Located on the slope of the Vatican Hill in Rome Covers a cemetery and features a shrine to Saint Peter, whom is presumably buried there

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Structures in the Holy Lands

Constantine also built many structures in the Holy Lands Church of the Nativity

Built in Bethlehem as a shrine to honor Christ Replaced in the sixth century A.D. with the modern structure Very similar to St. Peters but on a much smaller scale

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Structures in the Holy Lands

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Built to honor the burial place of Christ More elaborate than the Church of the Nativity

Had been instructed by Constantine to be a basilica more beautiful than any on Earth
Believed to be the burial place of Christ

Surrounded the Holy Sepulcher

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Structures in the Holy Lands

Anastasis Rotunda
Located in Jerusalem Built to honor the resurrection of Christ Middle Age representations of Christs tomb are almost all based on this structure Built by Constantine, or possibly his sons, in the fourth century A.D.

An addition to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Milan
Emerged as a major architectural center in the early Christian period After Constantine moved the seat of the Roman Empire to Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), Milan became the capitol of the Western Empire, replacing Rome. A number of important churches were built after Milan was recognized as the spiritual capitol of the West

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Structures in Milan

Church of the Holy Apostles

St. Ambrose laid out the design of this church

A huge, cross-shaped structure

Housed relics of the apostles in a silver casket beneath the main altar

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Structures in Milan

Church of S. Lorenzo
Built around 370 A.D. Most scholars believe that it was used as the official chapel of the Imperial Palace in Milan Based on a Constantinian model

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Ravenna
In 402, Emperor Honorius transferred the Western Capitol from Milan to Ravenna Ravenna became the residence of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric and his followers

Maintained close contact with Byzantine East (the Eastern Empire based in Constantinople) Gained much influence from the East ion architecture

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Structures in Ravenna

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Built around 425 A.D. Featured a cross-shaped plan Small but perfectly preserved

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Structures in Ravenna

Orthodox Babtistery
Built between 400 450 A.D Featured a wealth of internal ornamentation on the wall surfaces

Uncommon at this time

Features a dome overhead that depicts the baptism of Christ

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Structures in Ravenna

Tomb of King Theodoric

Reflects the unique political and cultural status of Ravenna during this time period Features a two storied interior

Cruciform chamber below Circular structure above

Probably required laborers from Syria who, at the time, were the only people versed in the technique of massive ashlar construction

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Structures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Hagios Demetrios
Salonika, Greece Considered the most imposing early Christian church in the Greek-speaking eastern Mediterranean Has been restored after a fire in 1917 A.D.

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Structures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

St. Simeon Stylites

Located in Qalat Siman, Syria Built around 470 Constructed of heavy ashlar masonry Grandiose in size, but simple in scheme

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Structures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Church in Qalb Louzeh

Located in Syria Built around 500 A.D. Hints at the beginnings of the Romanesque style of architecture

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Structures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

The early Christian structures in the Rhineland laid the foundations for later Medieval architecture Rhineland maintained close architectural ties with Milan St. Gereon

Located in Cologne Originally constructed as a double cathedral Underwent major reconstruction in 380

Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: Sullivan

References

Sullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

Architectural History ACT 322 Doris Kemp