Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

Architectural History

ACT 322

Doris KempSlide2

Topics

Early Christian Architecture

Rome Structures

Structures in the Holy Lands

Milan Structures

Ravenna Structures

Structures in Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandSlide3

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 deadSlide4

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 churchesSlide5

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

Slide6

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 formSlide7

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 thereSlide8

Early Christian Architecture:

Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: SullivanSlide9

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 scaleSlide10

Early Christian Architecture:

Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: SullivanSlide11

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”

Surrounded the Holy Sepulcher

Believed to be the burial place of ChristSlide12

Early Christian Architecture:

Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: SullivanSlide13

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 Christ’s 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 SepulcherSlide14

Early Christian Architecture:

Rome and the Holy Land

Photo: SullivanSlide15

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 WestSlide16

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 altarSlide17

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 modelSlide18

Early Christian Architecture:

Milan and Ravenna

Photo: SullivanSlide19

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 architectureSlide20

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: SullivanSlide21

Early Christian Architecture:

Milan and Ravenna

Photo: SullivanSlide22

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 ChristSlide23

Early Christian Architecture:

Milan and Ravenna

Photo: SullivanSlide24

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 constructionSlide25

Early Christian Architecture:

Milan and Ravenna

Photo: SullivanSlide26

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.Slide27

Early Christian Architecture:

Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: SullivanSlide28

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 schemeSlide29

Early Christian Architecture:

Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: SullivanSlide30

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 architectureSlide31

Early Christian Architecture:

Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: SullivanSlide32

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 380Slide33

Early Christian Architecture:

Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Photo: SullivanSlide34

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 ArchitectureSlide35

Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

Architectural History

ACT 322

Doris Kemp