Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE
ARCHITECTURE
CONTENTS
 FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
 EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE
 TYPICAL EXAMPLES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTIC

FEATURES.
EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT –
EARLY CHRISTIAN
 GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION
Christianity initially took its root in Jadaea an eastern part of Roman Empire and was carried to
other parts of the world by St.Peter, St.Paul and other missionaries.
The Early Christian architecture is largely influenced by the existing remains of the Roman art and
was skillfully modified according to the suitability of geographical conditions of those countries like
Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Italy and N.Africa etc,
 GEOLOGICAL CONDITION
The architecture was the outcome of the religion and hence geological conditions had no direct
effect on it. The early Christians relied upon the existing remains of the Roman buildings.
Either the old buildings were converted into churches or new churches were constructed out of
existing remains.
 CLIMATIC CONDITION
The climate of Italy is varying, its north part being temperate, south being hot.
Also climatic conditions of Syria, Egypt N.Africa are different from one another.
Hence climate naturally modified the style.
Small windows were used in hot climatic place whereas large ones used where climate was dull.

 RELIGIOUS CONDITION
EARLY CHRISTIAN
From the east came the new attitude towards religion.
The various creeds if Mithraism from Persia, Judaism found their followers.
But Christianity proved to be the strongest.
Christianity founded by Jesus was born at Bethlehem near Jerusalem.
He was the son of Joseph and mother Mary. He lived in Nazareth. When he was 30, he started
preaching about the kingdom of God and plunged himself for the services of mankind.
Soon he became the revolutionary figure among the Jewish leaders.
Afraid of his growing power they accused him and complained against him to Pontius Pilate, the
Roman Governor.
Consequently he was crucified. But this was no the end. He resurrected again on the third day.
His disciples were shocked and surprised when their beloved Jesus appeared before them.
This recognition for Jesus as ‘son of God’ was the birth of Christianity as a religion of new faith.
Jerusalem, where Christ lived and preached is considered to be the most sacred place to the
Christian all over the world.
EARLY CHRISTIAN
The main purpose of Christian church was to provided shelter for the worshippers who were
together and paid homage to the unseen god.
The desire and necessity to centre, focus and celebrate is an outstanding characteristic feature
of Christian Architecture.
After Christianity became the official state religion at the end of the 4th Century, the number of
church buildings increased markedly.
At this time, in Rome alone, about thirty churches of basilican type were built by the early
Christians as followers of new faith.
 SOCIAL CONDITION
Cities had declined and deserted.
Trade – sea borne, land borne came to an end.
But a new stability was brought by Constantine in 330 A.D.
It was the most extraordinary year in history. Under his orders, churches were built.
He removed the seat of Government from Rome to Byzantine in 330.

EARLY CHRISTIAN
 HISTORICAL CONDITION
Between Marcus Aurelius and Constantine, a period of 125 years, there were 47 emperors.
There was several warfare and constant attacks of Huns in Europe.
Goths, Alemans, Franks, Persians sacked whole provinces of Rome, which no longer remained as
the capital of the Empire.
Constantinople took her place.
Then the Empire divided in two, that of East to prove mighty, that of the west to become prey of
invaders.
The chaos caused by these invasions disrupted law and culture so severely that Europe slipped
into the Dark Ages (5th to 11th Century)

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE
 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
The Early Christians did make ample use of Graeco Roman Architecture.
There was no prosperity as was in Roman period. They had no substantial precedents of their own
to follow.
They made use of remains of Roman buildings for the construction of their new churches.,
In the early stages they did not solve constructive problems.
The columns, either short or long, fluted or unfluted, were brought to uniform size and height by
some device for use in the same church.
Columns were either closely spaced to carry entablature or widely spaced to carry semi-circular
arches.
The basilican form was variously treated and was not in anyway standardized.
The plan of the church was simple in design, having two colonnades forming a long nave in the
centre and two or four aisles on either side with a high altar at one end and covered with simple
timber roof trusses.
Early Christian style evolved many forms, visual effects from those already in existence.

 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES (contd)
The monumental churches succeeded brilliantly for the rapidly changing world.
They rendered spacious, graceful, impressive and dignified by arranging the columns in rows.
Most important of all, the entrance was provided in one shorter side.
This sort of treatment had driving point of focus.
Mouldings were coarse like in the Roman period. Incised relief mouldings, acanthus leaf
mouldings were most common.
A vast cycle of pictures, emblem, biblical scenes and processions of martyrs in mosaic began by
Ostrogoths and finished under Justinian enriched Early Christian Architecture.
In all these colour was the prime ingredient.
Pictures showing Adam and Eve in the garden of Heaven, Biblican scenes became usual features
of decoration.


TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 BASILICAN CHURCHES
The old basilicas of Romans used as halls of Justice were slightly modified into basilican churches.
However they have colonnades not only between ‘aisles’ and ‘naves’ but also on the narrow
sides, like a Greek temple turned outside in.
Two Apse was not common. Apse at one end was cut off from the main body forming an atrium
or open court in the front.
The nave was used as congregational hall, the apse was occupied by Bishop.
Members of the church occupied the seats of Roman accessors.
The altar in front which was used for sacrifices by Romans was now converted for Christian rites.
The basilican churches were usually built over places or confession of great saints to whom the
churches were dedicated.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 BASILICAN CHURCH OF ST.PETER, ROME
It was built by Constantine in 300A.D.
In the 1st century, Nero built a circus outside the city which was used for horse and chariot racing.
St. Peter was crucified at the Obelisk that stood on the spine of the circus and then burried to the
adjacent cemetery.
The cemetery was in use for next 250 until Constantine decided to build his memorial church in
honour of Peter.
The ground plan is in the form of Cross the sign under which he had conquered.
The atrium of open rectangular court formed an imposing approach.
Next was narthex between atrium and church. The narthex opened to the great nave with
double aisles ending in five arches, the central one was called the arch of triumph.
At the end was bema of platform and apse with Pope’s seat.
It was pulled down to raise the present Cathedral in 1505. the obelisk of the circus which stood at
the side of the old church now stands in the great ceremonial plaza of st. peters

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 BASILICAN CHURCH OF NATIVITY, BETHLEHAM
It was founded by Constantine at the birth place of Jesus Christ.
It consists of an atrium and a large-sized nave, two aisles formed by two rows of monolithic
Corinthian columns about 6m in ht.
This historic building is surrounded by high walls enclosing precincts of Greeks, Latins and
Americans.
 BASILICAN CHURCH OF ST.MARIA MAGGIORE, ROME
 BASILICAN CHURCH OF ST. CATHERINE’S MONASTERY
 BASILICAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, JERUSALEM

BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE
 GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION
The early Greek settlers from Manga were led by some Byzia, from whom the name Byzantion was
derived.
Later it was Romanised to Byzantium. The City of Byzantium was renamed as “Constantinople” the
“God’s Favourite City” in 330, after its imperial founder Constantine.
It was made as the New capital of Christian Empire. It w is now named as ‘Istanbul’.
The city is situated between Black Sea and Mediterranean sea and forms a link to Europe and
Asia by means of a narrow strip of water.
It has a natural harbour of “Golden Horn” – a deep water inlet which helped to expand
commerce and trade to all parts of Eastern Roman Empire and further carried to Greece, Asia
Minor, Russia, N.Africa, Venice, which later came under the influence of Byzantine style.
 GEOLOGICAL CONDITION
The use of lime concrete started in Roman period was continued by the Byzantines.
They manufactured bricks which they used for the construction of domes.
Marble was imported from other parts and used for ornamental works.

 CLIMATIC CONDITION
Byzantines adopted the system of building to suit their needs.
Hence flat roofs with small openings were adopted in places of hot weather and sheltered
arcades surrounded the open courtyard.
These with the oriental dome as a symbol of faith became the chief features of this style.
In 313, Constantine issued high command at Milan granting to Christians and everybody the free
power to follow the religion of their choice.
The results were seen at an early date in Palestine where as per the wish of Constantine many
churches were built.
In the beginning they were of basilican Christian type but later dome became the prevailing motif
of Byzantine Church.
Soon there were disputes and differences in the mode of construction of churches between
Eastern and Western Europe.

 SOCIAL CONDITION
Constantine declared Christianity as the State Religion of the Roman Empire in 324 A.D. and
founded Constantinople in 330 A.D.
It was completed in 6 years time of the old Greek city Byzantium.
The new city was formed in Roman style with Imperial Palaces, Senate House, Law-courts etc.
The forum of Constantine with its splendid columns were the main centre of the Byzantine business
world.
Side by side churches were built. The largest one is St.Sophia, Constantinople became the centre
of Byzantine-world, culturally Greek, juridically Roman, officially and Passionately Christian.
 HISTORICAL CONDITION
After the death of able ruler Constantine, a line of weak emperors followed and finally the Empire
was divided in 364 A.D.
Thereafter the other Emperor who rose to prominence was Justinian (527 – 565 A.D).
As a builder he was second Trajan another Constantine.
He encouraged many gifted artists.
He commissioned useful civil works, like schools, hospitals, hostels, theatres, baths, palaces,
harbours, aqueducts and a dozen of churches.
 HISTORICAL CONDITION (CONTD)
His code of ‘Civil Laws’ or ‘Justinian Code’ produced a dynamic effect on society.
The principal buildings of Justinian, a great patron of architecture were unequivocally original and
clear.
He was a man of astonishing energy. His citizens called him ‘the Emperor who never sleeps’.
Later on many more building activities continued in spite of constant attacks by barbarians from
north and Muslims from the east.
By 15th Century it could not resist the energy and cannon of the Turks who succeeded and
captured it where Goths, Germans, Huns and Arabs had failed.

 CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
The Byzantine architecture is characterized by the noval development of dome to cover square
or polygonal plans of churches and tombs while Romans placed domes only on circular plans.
This system of placing of the domes was gradual from Roman to Early Christian period.
But after 2 centuries the system of domical roof became the chief motif of design in Byzantine
architecture.
The various types of domes used were (i) Simple, (ii) Compound, (iii) Melon Shaped and (iv) Onion
Shaped.
These domes were placed on square or polygonal plans by means of spherical pendentives, i.e.
triangular curved overhanging surface formed between the adjacent arches.
Placing of small domes round the large central dome was very effective.
On account of their great height, eye was directed upwards, as if pointing to the sky or heaven
while in Early Christian Style, eye was directed horizontally along the row of columns to the seat of
God.
The domes were constructed without centering with thin radiating bricks or light weight pumic
stones to lessen the side thrust on supporting walls.

The use of cement started in the Roman period continued by the Byzantines.
The brickwork in concrete was first completed and allowed to settle before covering the interior
surface with marble slab.
The external facades were decorated with various design patterns in brick-work.
For brick-work they needed concrete which they prepared from lime, sand crushed tiles and
bricks.
Byzantines used the columns decorately as well as structurally to support the galleries and semi-
circular arches.
Mouldings were very rare
The walls were fully covered with marble mosaics and fresco decoration.
The Byzantine architecture which is devoid of sculpture, expressed fully in flat colored glass
mosaics, biblical scenes, group of saints, holy monogram of Christ over the Church walls, arches
and vaults.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 St. SOPHIA, CONSTANTINOPLE
Sophia 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.
Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture
and is said to have "changed the history of architecture.“
It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until Seville Cathedral was
completed in 1520.
The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 on the orders of
the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and was the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site,
the previous two having both been destroyed by rioters.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
It was constructed by two genius architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorous of Miletus.
The church was designed in the form of Greek-Cross 91.5 x 99m with top of the dome at 54.8m
from the ground.
It has a central space of 32.6m square with four massive stone piers 7.6mx18.3 peirced by arches
to form aisles and galleries.
The stone piers support semi-circular arches forming a spherical pendentive on which rests the
dome 32.6 in dia and 54.8m above the ground.
The curved surface of the dome produces extraordinary effects of resonance.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
On both ends are two large hemi-cycles covered with semi-domes, foming an oval nave 68.6m
long and 32.6m wide.
The hemi-cycles are flanked by exedrae covered with semi-domes which act as buttresses to the
central dome.
The central dome 33m cross appears like a canopy in the centre and hung by a golden chain
from the sky.
The dome collapsed due to an earthquake in 558A.D. and had to be rebuilt.
The interiors are decorated with coloured mosaics which shine brilliantly under the light of the
clere-storey formed by 40 windows in the lower part of the dome.
Judged from its grandeur it is similar to the Parthenon of Greeks and Pantheon of Romans.
Interior view of the dome

One of the mighty stone
columns with metal clasps

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Mosaics with geometric pattern decorate

Marble door.
the upper imperial gallery
Imperial Gate.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 St. CLEMENT, ROME
The Basilica of Saint Clement is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Pope Clement
located in Rome, Italy.
Archaeologically speaking, the structure is a three-tiered complex of buildings:

(1) the present basilica built just before the year 1100 during the height of the Middle Ages;
(2) beneath the present basilica is a 4th century basilica that had been converted out of the
home of a Roman nobleman, part of which had in the 1st century briefly served as an early
church, and the basement of which had in the 2nd century briefly served as a mithraeum;
(3) the home of the Roman nobleman had been built on the foundations of a republican era
building that had been destroyed in the Great Fire of 64.
History
This ancient church was transformed over the centuries from a private home that was the site
ofclandestine Christian worship in the first century to a grand public basilica by the sixth
century, reflecting the emerging Catholic Church's growing legitimacy and power.
Before the 4th century

A new house was built on those foundations shortly thereafter.
At this time, the home was ownedby the family of Roman consul and martyr Titus Flavius
Clemens, who was one of the first among the Roman senatorial class to convert to
Christianity.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
An insula, or apartment complex, in the basement of the same building was used around 180-
220 as part of a mithraeum, that is, as part of a sanctuary of the cult of Mithras.
The main cult room which is about 9.6m long and 6m wide, was discovered in 1867 but could
not be investigated until 1914 due to lack of drainage.
The exedra, the shallow apse at the far end of the low vaulted space, was trimmed with
pumice to render it more cave-like.
Ventilation was provided by seven holes in the ceiling.
A central cult relief of Mithras slaying the bull was not found, but an altar of Parian marble has
the tauroctony scene on its front face.
The torchbearers Cautes and Cautopates appear on respectively the left and right faces of
the same monument.
One of the rooms adjoining the main chamber has two oblong brickwork enclosures one of
which was used as a ritual refuse pit for remnants of the cult meal.
All three monuments mentioned above are still on display in the mithraeum. A fourth
monument, – a statue of St. Peter found in the speleum's vestibule and still on display there – is
not of the mysteries.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
4th-11th century
At some time in the 4th century, the former home of the Clemens family was extended and
converted into a church, acquiring the adjoining insula and other nearby buildings.
The central nave lay over the former home, with the apse approximately over the former
mithraeum.
This "first basilica" is known to have existed in 392.
Restorations were undertaken in the ninth century.
Apart from those in Santa Maria Antiqua, the largest collection of Early Medieval wall paintings
are to be found in the lower basilica of San Clemente.
The early basilica was the site of councils and the last major event that took place in the lower
basilica was the election in 1099 of Cardinal Rainerius of St Clemente as Pope Paschal II.
The second basilica
The current basilica was rebuilt in one campaign by Cardinal Anastasius, 1099 A.D.
Today, it is one of the most richly adorned churches in Rome.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Its original entrance is through an axial peristyle (B on plan) surrounded by arcades, which now serves
as a cloister, with conventual buildings surrounding it.
At the rear is Fontana's chaste facade, supported on antique columns.
The church behind it is in three naves divided by arcades on ancient marble or granite columns.
The 12th-century schola cantorum (E on plan) incorporates marble elements from the original basilica.
Behind it, in the presbytery is a ciborium (H on plan) raised on four gray-violet columns over the shrine
of Clement in the crypt below.
The episcopal seat stands in the apse, which is covered with mosaics on the theme of the Triumph of
the Cross that are a high point of Roman 12th century mosaics.
The carved and gilded coffered ceilings of nave and aisles, fitted with paintings, date from this time,
as do the stucco decor, Ionic capitals and frescos.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 St. MARKS, VENICE
The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy.
It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine
architecture.
It lies on Piazza San Marco adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace.
Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral.
Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Venice.
The building
The first St Mark's was a temporary building in the Doge's Palace, constructed in 828.
This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832; from the same century dates the first
St Mark's Campanile (bell tower).
The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the
present basilica since 1063.
The basilica was consecrated in 1094.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Within the first half of the 13th century the narthex and the new façade were constructed, most of
the mosaics were completed and the domes were covered with higher wooden, lead-
covered domes in order to blend in with the Gothic architecture of the redesigned Doge's
Palace.
The completion
While the basic structure of the building has been much altered, its decoration changed greatly
over time.
Gradually, the exterior brickwork became covered with various marbles and carvings, some
much older than the building itself.
The Exterior
The exterior of the basilica is divided in three registers: lower, upper, and domes.
In the lower register of the façade five round-arched portals, enveloped by polychrome marble
columns, open into the narthex through bronze-fashioned doors.
Above the central door round three bas-relief cycles of Romanesque art.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Interior
Ceiling mosaic
The interior is based on a Greek cross, with each arm divided in three naves and emphasized by a
dome of its own.
This is based on Justinian's Basilica of the Apostles in Constantinople.
The marble floor is entirely in geometric patterns and animal designs.
The lower register of walls and pillars is completely covered with polychrome marble slabs.
The transition between the lower and the upper register is delimited all around the basilica by
passageways which largely substituted the former galleries.
The presbytery
The eastern arm has a raised presbytery with a crypt beneath.
The presbytery is separated by an altar screen formed by eight red marble columns crowned with
a high Crucifix and statues by Pier Paolo and Jacobello Dalle Masegne, masterpiece of
Gothic sculpture.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Above the high altar is a canopy on columns decorated with remarkable relieves.
Mosaic
The upper order of the interior is completely covered with bright mosaics containing gold, bronze,
and the greatest variety of stones.
The decorated surface is on the whole about 8000 m2. In the most ancient works, both Byzantine
and Gothic influences can be recognized, as for example in the Saints from the 11th century
between the windows of the apse.
In the vault above is a mosaic with Christ Pantocrator.
From the apse towards the entrance one can contemplate the history of Salvation in the domes:
In the vaults between the domes are represented episodes of Jesus’ life.
As mentioned above, restorations and replacements were often necessary thereafter, and great
painters such as Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Castagno, Paolo Veronese, Jacopo Tintoretto and
his son Domenico took part drawing the cartoons.
Other remarkable mosaics decorate the Baptistery, the Mascoli Chapel, St Isidor Chapel and the
Zen Chapel.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
 St. VITALE, RAVENNA
The Church of San Vitale —though it is not of architectural basilica form — is a church in Ravenna,
Italy, one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine Art and architecture in
western Europe.
The church was begun by Bishop Ecclesius in 527, when Ravenna was under the rule of the
Ostrogoths, and completed by the 27th Bishop of Ravenna, Maximian in 548 during the
Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna.
Ground plan of the building
The church has an octagonal plan.
The building combines Roman elements: the dome, shape of doorways, and stepped towers; with
Byzantine elements: polygonal apse, capitals, and narrow bricks.
The church is most famous for its wealth of Byzantine mosaics, the largest and best preserved
outside of Constantinople.
The church is of extreme importance in Byzantine art, as it is the only major church from the period
of the Emperor Justinian I to survive virtually intact to the present day.
According to legend, the church was erected on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Mosaic art
The cross-ribbed vault in the presbytery is richly ornamented with mosaic festoons of leaves, fruit
and flowers, converging on a crown encircling the Lamb of God.
The crown is supported by four angels, and every surface is covered with a profusion of flowers,
stars, birds and animals, including many peacocks.
Above the arch, on both sides, two angels hold a disc and beside them a representation of the
cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
All these mosaics are executed in the Hellenistic-Roman tradition: lively and imaginative, with rich
colors and a certain perspective, and with a vivid depiction of the landscape, plants and
birds.
The apse is flanked by two chapels.
Jesus Christ appears, seated on a blue globe in the summit of the vault, robed in purple, with his
right hand offering the martyr's crown to Saint Vitale.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES

Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE

 FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT

 EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

 TYPICAL EXAMPLES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTIC

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Hence climate naturally modified the style.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

But Christianity proved to be the strongest.

Christianity founded by Jesus was born at Bethlehem near Jerusalem.

Soon he became the revolutionary figure among the Jewish leaders.

Trade – sea borne, land borne came to an end.

But a new stability was brought by Constantine in 330 A.D.

He removed the seat of Government from Rome to Byzantine in 330.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

There was several warfare and constant attacks of Huns in Europe.

Constantinople took her place.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

In the early stages they did not solve constructive problems.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

This sort of treatment had driving point of focus.

In all these colour was the prime ingredient.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Members of the church occupied the seats of Roman accessors.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

The atrium of open rectangular court formed an imposing approach.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

It was completed in 6 years time of the old Greek city Byzantium.

As a builder he was second Trajan another Constantine.

He encouraged many gifted artists.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Mouldings were very rare

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

The curved surface of the dome produces extraordinary effects of resonance.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

The dome collapsed due to an earthquake in 558A.D. and had to be rebuilt.

Interior view of the dome

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Mosaics with geometric pattern decorate

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Archaeologically speaking, the structure is a three-tiered complex of buildings:

Before the 4th century

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Ventilation was provided by seven holes in the ceiling.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

This "first basilica" is known to have existed in 392.

Restorations were undertaken in the ninth century.

The second basilica

Today, it is one of the most richly adorned churches in Rome.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

At the rear is Fontana's chaste facade, supported on antique columns.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

The basilica was consecrated in 1094.

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

This is based on Justinian's Basilica of the Apostles in Constantinople.

The marble floor is entirely in geometric patterns and animal designs.