Byzantine architecture

Byzantine architecture is the style of building used in the Byzantine Empire, also called the Eastern Roman Empire. It started around AD 330 when Constantine the Great made a new capital in Byzantium, which became Constantinople. This style lasted until the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453.

Early Byzantine buildings looked much like late Roman architecture. They used arches, vaults, and big domes. The most beautiful rooms had walls covered with mosaics that had a gold background. Sometimes they used frescos instead, which were cheaper. Rich rooms had thin sheets of marble or colorful stone. Columns were often made of marble too. Builders used bricks, stone, and mosaics made from tiny squares of stone or glass called tesserae. Inside, people had fancy wooden furniture and shiny cups made of silver or gold.

Byzantine architecture began with ideas from Greek architecture and Roman designs. Over time, they made their own special style. The most famous plan for churches was called the Greek cross. The Byzantines also built strong walls and bridges, though not as many big water systems called aqueducts as the Romans built. This style of building later influenced medieval architecture in Europe and the Near East.

Characteristics

When the Roman Empire moved east and became Christian, its buildings became more beautiful and grand. The new capital was at Constantinople. This new style is called "Byzantine." It has round domes and shiny decorations. It spread to places like Ravenna, Venice, and Moscow. Many churches had tall domes that made the inside feel open and bright. The round arch was important in this style. The walls often had golden pictures that made the churches feel warm and special.

One famous building was Hagia Sophia. It became a symbol for Christianity. Unlike old temples for Classical religion, Christian churches were made for people to gather inside. Byzantine churches came in different shapes, such as long halls, buildings with a central dome, or ones shaped like a cross. Some were built around a central point, and others were turned into churches from old temples. Over time, new designs like the cross-in-square shape became popular.

Columns

Byzantine columns come in many styles, mostly based on the classical Corinthian style. Artists used special tools to make each column look unique. One famous design shows leaves that look like they are blowing in the wind. You can see this at the Hagia Sophia (Thessaloniki) from the year 600.

Columns at places like San Vitale, Ravenna have special pieces called dosserets that help support the arches. Some columns have simple carvings of animals like eagles and lions.

At Hagia Sophia, there are two main types of columns: Composite and Ionic. The Composite column mixes Corinthian and Ionic styles. These line the main space, while Ionic columns are placed behind them. The designs on these columns have patterns of leaves and plants.

The columns at the Basilica of San Vitale have soft, wavy flower designs. Their shape looks like an upside-down basket.

Byzantine Ionic column from [National Museum of Medieval Art](/wiki/National_Museum_of_Medieval_Art_\(Albania\)) ([Korçë](/wiki/Korçë), Albania)

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  Illustration of a Byzantine Corinthian column

Byzantine composite column from [Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo](/wiki/Basilica_of_Sant'Apollinare_Nuovo) ([Ravenna](/wiki/Ravenna), Italy)

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  Byzantine basket column from Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)

Overview of extant monuments

Buildings became more complex in shape. They used brick and plaster along with stone to decorate important buildings. Classical styles were used more freely, and mosaics took the place of carved decorations. Large domes rested on strong supports, and windows let in soft light through thin sheets of alabaster.

Most of the buildings that still exist are religious. Many non-religious buildings were destroyed.

Early architecture

Great examples of early Byzantine architecture come from the time of Emperor Justinian I. You can find them in Ravenna and Istanbul, as well as in Sofia (the Church of St Sophia).

Justinian's architects made an important discovery. They found a way to smoothly change a square church shape into a round dome using a special method.

In Ravenna, they built the long-shaped basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and the round-shaped church of San Vitale, which Justinian ordered but never saw. In Istanbul, Justinian built the domed churches of Hagia Sophia and Hagia Irene. There is also a smaller church called Saints Sergius and Bacchus, known as "Little Hagia Sophia", which might have been a model for the bigger churches. It mixed the shapes of a long basilica and a round building.

Other important structures include the ruins of the Great Palace of Constantinople, the strong walls of Constantinople with 192 towers, and the Basilica Cistern with many old columns.

Hagios Demetrios in Thessaloniki, Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai, Jvari Monastery in Georgia, and three Armenian churches of Echmiadzin all date from the 7th century.

Amazing engineering feats include the Sangarius Bridge, the Karamagara Bridge, and the dome of the Church of Hagia Sophia.

Middle Byzantine architecture

In the time of the Macedonian dynasty, it is thought that Basil I’s small church of the Theotokos of the Pharos and the Nea Ekklesia were models for many cross-in-square churches. Examples include the Cattolica di Stilo in southern Italy, the monastery church of Hosios Lukas in Greece, Nea Moni of Chios, and the Daphni Monastery near Athens. These churches show changes in design.

The Hagia Sophia church in Ochrid (now in North Macedonia), built in the First Bulgarian Empire during the time of Boris I of Bulgaria, and a similar cathedral in Kiev (now in Ukraine) show a trend of using many smaller domes that got taller and narrower over time.^{[citation needed]}

Comnenian and Paleologan periods

In Istanbul and Asia Minor, architecture from the Komnenian period is rare, except for the Elmali Kilise and other rock sanctuaries in Cappadocia, and the Churches of the Pantokrator and of the Theotokos Kyriotissa in Istanbul. Many older Byzantine churches and buildings were destroyed or turned into mosques. Some were abandoned because of events from 1915 to 1923. Similar styles can be seen in countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, and other Slavic lands, as well as in Sicily (Cappella Palatina) and Veneto (St Mark's Basilica, Torcello Cathedral).

In Middle Byzantine architecture, "cloisonné masonry" means walls built with a mix of stone and brick. The outside of the Pammakaristos Church in Istanbul is an example.

Late Byzantine architecture

The Paleologan period is shown in many former churches in Istanbul, especially St Saviour at Chora and St Mary Pammakaristos. Unlike churches in Slavic countries, Paleologan architects did not make structures taller.

The Church of the Holy Apostles (Thessaloniki) is a good example of late Byzantine style. Its outside walls have detailed brick patterns or glazed ceramics. Other churches from just before Constantinople fell can be found on Mount Athos and in Mistra (like the Brontochion Monastery).

In the late Byzantine period, a beautifully decorated room was added to the Pammakaristos Church in Constantinople. It was made for the tomb of Michael Glabas Tarchaniotes, a Byzantine noble and soldier. This room shows the slim shapes liked in the late Byzantine time.

Structural evolution

There were two main types of church plans used when Constantine built churches in Palestine. One type was the basilican plan, like the church at the Holy Sepulchre. The other was a circular plan, like the great octagonal church in Antioch.

Many of these circular churches had domes. Sometimes, they had thick walls with spaces inside, like at the Church of St. George, Sofia. Other times, they had special rooms added around the center, like at Santa Costanza in Rome.

One amazing example is Hagia Sophia from the 6th century. It had a big central space that was made longer by adding special curved rooms on each end. This created a huge area covered by many domes and half-domes.

After the 6th century, most churches followed a similar plan. The main space with the dome was placed in a larger square shape. Around this space were areas that rose higher, creating a main path and side paths. Sometimes the space under the dome was square, and sometimes it was octagonal, with more supports instead of just four.

Churches often had special areas like a courtyard called the atrium with a fountain, an entrance area called the narthex, and a raised area called the ambo where readings took place. The altar area, called the bema, was separated by a screen called the iconostasis. The walls were decorated with beautiful patterns and designs, and the inside had colorful mosaics and marble decorations.

Legacy

Byzantine architecture influenced many places. In Western Europe, it helped shape styles like Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture. You can see great examples in places like Ravenna, such as the Basilica di San Vitale.

In the East, Byzantine ideas were important for early Islamic architecture, especially during the Umayyad Caliphate. Buildings in Syria show clear Byzantine influences. Features like tile work, domes, and arches became common in Moorish architecture.

Byzantine styles continued in many Eastern Orthodox countries, including Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, and Russia, lasting into the 18th century.

Neo-Byzantine architecture became popular in the 19th century, inspired by the Gothic revival. Famous examples include Westminster Cathedral in London and many churches in Russia.

Main article: Neo-Byzantine architecture

Important Byzantine monuments

See also: Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki

Hagia Irene

Hagia Irene was an early church in Constantinople, built in the 4th century. It was the first church in the city but was damaged by earthquakes and riots, requiring many repairs. One special feature of Hagia Irene is its large open space in front, which is rare in buildings from the Byzantine Empire.

Construction

Hagia Irene was built using stone, brick, and mortar. The bricks were large and strong, and the building used special volcanic materials to keep it light yet durable. The outside looks simple, while the inside has beautiful decorations like mosaics and marble.

History of Hagia Irene

Hagia Irene has seen many changes through history, with repairs after riots and earthquakes. When the Ottomans took control, they changed how it was used but not as much as they did to another famous building. Today, Hagia Irene is a museum that visitors can explore.

Construction of Hagia Irene

Hagia Sophia

The most famous building from Byzantine times is the Hagia Sophia. It is very important in the Christian world and is seen as a symbol of Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox civilization. The name Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom" in Greek.

Construction of Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia mixes different building styles and was part of a big complex made for Emperor Justinian. Its large dome is a key feature and shows off Byzantine building skills. Even though it was meant to withstand earthquakes, it has needed many repairs after quakes over time.

History of Hagia Sophia

The original Hagia Sophia may have been started by Emperor Constantine, but it was finished later by his son. Emperor Justinian oversaw the building of the version we see today. For many years, Hagia Sophia was the center of Orthodox Christianity until the city fell to the Ottomans.