A Brief study on Byzantine Empire Architecture

2. Byzantine Architecture is architecture originated from
Byzantine empire.
Characterized especially by massive domes with square
bases and rounded arches and spires and extensive use of
glass mosaics.
Early Byzantine architecture was built as a continuation of
Roman architecture.
Stylistic drift, technological advancement, and political and
territorial changes meant that a distinct style gradually
emerged which imbued certain influences from the Near
East and used the GREEK CROSS plan in church architecture.

3. Byzantine Empire - Early Period Timeline:
• 330: Emperor Constantine founds a new capital of the Roman
Empire at the Greek town of Byzantium, renaming the city
Constantinople after himself
• 395: Death of Emperor Theodosius – Empire permanently split in
two halves. Constantinople is capital of the Eastern Roman Empire
• 527-565: reign of Emperor Justinian I. Greatest expansion of
Byzantine Empire
• 1453: Fall of Byzantine Empire

4. Architecture
1) Early Byzantine architecture continues Early Christian and Late Roman forms becoming
distinctive by 6th century with the building of Hagia Sophia. Early churches follow the basilica
plan but eventually most are centralized and square with domes.
2) By the Middle Byzantine period (9th-11th century) a lot of monastic churches were built. Which
are smaller with more exterior ornamentation and patterned brickwork. Variations of Greek cross
(cross with equal length arms) and central dome s are typical.
3) Taller, narrower forms, more domes, more exterior ornamentation characterize Late
Byzantine Churches (beginning 12th century). Surface decoration of interiors moves to exteriors.
Architectural innovations: pendentive (triangular curving form that allows construction of circular
dome over a square of rectangular space)
Combined centralized and basilica plans in churches and a skillful use of light as a mystical
element.

6. Public Buildings
Types: churches are the most common building type.
Floor plans: churches plans are symmetrical, ordered and often complex. Centralized plans with circular
and polygonal forms are most common.
Materials: brick. Vaults and domes are out of brick to eliminate centering. Iron-toe rods reinforce arches
and vaults. Brick is usually covered with stucco, marble, stone or mosaics.
Facades: walls of earlier churches are smooth plain and unadorned. Later ones are articulated with
architectural elements. As time passes facades grow more complex as in form following the interior shapes.
Circular or polygonal forms, the repetition of windows, walls, and arches create rhythmic pattern in Middle
and Late Byzantine structures.
Columns: usually unfluted, with inverted pyramidal impost block (which separates the capital from
springing of arch). Both impost block and capital are covered with complex and pierced lacy undercut
foliage or geometric shapes.
Windows: windows with round tops punctuate walls and domes, usually placed in the drums of dome so
that dome appear to float.
Roofs: sloped and gabled rooflines are complicated. Domes over plan centers and crossings are universal,
small chapels may also be domed or semi domed.

7. Interiors
Byzantine churches interior are opulent
and formal. Surface decorations of rich
colors and materials are typical.
Paintings, mosaics and marble panels
cover floors, walls and ceilings. Few
secular interiors have survived? Writings
and illustration indicate that homes of
wealthy citizens followed late Roman
forms and decoration.

8. Public and Private Buildings
Colors: gold, green, red, blue
Floors: have patterns of marble, stone, or mosaics often of geometric patterns.
Walls: are articulated with columns, pilasters, and cornices. Walls are richly colored and decorated.
Mosaics: Byzantine mosaic have more gold and reflective surfaces than Early Christian, as the symbol
of Christ as the light of world. Placement of figural decorations is hierarchical.
Windows: are often numerous and made of glass or alabaster.
Doors: of iron, bronze or wood
Ceilings: center or crossing of churches have domes, surrounded by smaller or half-domes. Central
dome supported by pendetives, which provided a transition from a circular dome base to squared plan.

12. Types of domes :-
There were 4 major types of
domes constructed :-
1. Single
2. Compound
3. Melon
4. Onion

14. A new way of design and
rendering was developed.
A picture or pattern
produced by arranging
together small colored
pieces of hard materials
such as stone, tiles or
glass.

15. Some Mosaics design of BYZANTINE
ARCHITECTURE

16. Hagia Sophia- “Holy Wisdom”
The great achievement of
Byzantine architecture was the
huge Church of Hagia Sophia
(Holy Wisdom) in Constantinople
(c.532–7), designed by the
scientists and mathematicians
Anthemios of Tralles and
Isidorus of Miletus.

18. Hagia Sophia- Today

20. Longitudinal
Section

21. Transverse Section

25. Details of a typical Byzantine
church

26. COMPARISON BETWEEN EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE
Early Christian vs. Byzantine Architecture
Early Christian Byzantine
Where in Europe: West. East.
Capital: Rome. Byzantium/Constantinople.
Language: Latin. Greek.
Relationship between church and
state:
Separation between church and
state.
Union between church and state.
Type of Christianity: Catholic. Orthodox.
Art: Catacomb paintings, mosaics. Mosaics, icons.
Architecture: Basilica-plan church. Central-plan church.
Roof: Flat timber. Domed.
Roof support: Post and lintel. Pendentives.
Example: S. Apollinare. Hagia Sophia.
Time: 3rd-7th century CE 330-1453 CE

27.  Buildings increased in geometric complexity.
 Brick and plaster were used in addition to stone in the
decoration of important public structures.
 Classical orders were used more freely.
 Mosaics replaced carved decoration.
 Complex domes rested upon massive piers, and windows
filtered through thin sheets of alabaster to softly
illuminate interiors.
 Bigger buildings than Rome.
 A new way of design MOSAICS developed.