Byzantine architecture emerged as the distinct style of construction developed around the new Roman capital of Byzantium (later renamed Constantinople or present Istanbul). Historyplex takes you through the various characteristics of this building style.
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Situated near the Hagia Sophia, it exhibits immense influence of Byzantine architecture.
The Byzantine Empire refers to the wide time period spanning the 4th century up to the mid-15th century. It was also alternately known as the Eastern Roman Empire. Byzantium was the earlier capital of the Roman Empire. The 4th century Roman Emperor Constantine built a new administrative capital to the east, on the Bosphorus river, called Constantinople.
Byzantine architecture mostly developed during the rule of Justinian I, in the 6th century. The empire under Justinian I was spread around the Mediterranean sea, covering a large periphery. The expanse of the empire reduced, later limiting to the areas covering present-day Greece and Turkey.
Characteristics of Byzantine Architecture
It is said that Justinian carried forward Constantinople’s perspective in bringing up religious structures. There are also similarities found in the early Christian architecture and the Byzantine styles. Basilicas formed the most common structural similarities, along with the use of apse, mosaic, and clerestory. Architects in the Byzantine Empire have borrowed heavily from Roman temples, combining the best of all designs.
Apse: Semi-circular termination of the main building, or the hemispherical end of the nave.
Nave: Central part of a church from the entrance to the chancel or altar.
Clerestory: Walls rising high, above the height of the roof, with windows to allow light to penetrate.
The construction functioned primarily on two types of plans: basilican or axial, and the circular or central plan. However, different styles of building evolved in the later period, especially after the invention and use of pendentives in the dome structures.
Domed Roof
Byzantine structures can be identified by their peculiar domes. Theses huge hemispherical roofs used to be based over a square-shaped foundation. The construction of one heavy design over another required immense detailing and perfection. To achieve this, two techniques were resorted to:
1. Use of the squinch. This is like an arch in every corner of a square base, that transforms it into an octagon,
or
2. Use of the pendentive.
Pendentives
This is known to be a revolutionary breakthrough in the Byzantine architectural style. It is almost like a triangular segment of a spherical surface. These segments fill up all the upper corners of a room. Therefore, they form a strong circular support at the base of a dome. Pendentives were utilized to form a circular dome over a square room, or an elliptical dome over a rectangular room.
Greek Cross
This peculiar design evolves from the mix of the symmetrical central plan and the conventional basilica or axial plan. Churches shaped like the cruciform were constructed with this unique foundation. It was built over a square-central mass, with four arms spread out at equal lengths.
Quincunx
This 11th century style or plan included five elements, four in the corners and the fifth one placed above it. This was the highlight of the Greek-cross architecture. The Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki, Athens, is an example.
Other Highlights
– Lofty and towering interior spaces, with rich and luxurious decoration.
– The columns were made of marble, and displayed beautiful inlay work.
– Vaults of the structure were never left empty, mostly filled with various mosaics.
– The ceilings were sometimes coffered using gold.
– Byzantine structures, mostly the churches, had stone pavements.
Early Byzantine Architecture
The early period of this architectural style refers to the old structures built during the rule of Justinian I. Many of these ancient edifices still stand proudly in Ravenna and Istanbul.
The Hagia Sophia (or the Ayasofya in Turkey) built in Constantinople, is the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Another heritage structure, the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, reflects the typical longitudinal structure, common to a basilica.
Church of St Sophia, Bulgaria
It was built in the 6th century, and is believed to be the fifth structure built on that place. St. Sophia Church, today, has a cross design.
San Vitale Ravenna, Italy
Here is an example of the central plan of construction (Byzantine architecture). Thus, the central space below the dome in the interiors was enlarged. Apses added onto the sides give it the magnanimous look from inside.
A radical change in the architectural style of this empire came about during the reign of Justinian I. His architects invented a different system that brought about the transfer of the earlier square plan of building to a circular plan. So, the structures built henceforth usually featured domes supported by pendentives. Some works during this transitional or developmental phase include the Hagios Demetrios in Thessaloniki, Athens, Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai, in Egypt, and Jvari Monastery in present-day Georgia.
Famous Byzantine Architecture
Here are some famous architectural marvels from the Byzantine era. The Holy Apostles of Constantinople in Istanbul, the Cattolica di Stilo in southern Italy built in the 9th century, the Sangarius Bridge, and the Karamagara Bridge are a few of them.
Hagia Sophia, Sophia, Bulgaria
This church in Istanbul can be considered as the feat of Byzantine architecture. Hagia Sophia (or Holy Wisdom) was designed by two scientists and mathematicians, Anthemios of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus. Its construction dates back to around 530 AD. A concave disc-like dome was built over a squarish base, using pendentives to support the dome. This structure is known to be built using both the basilican and centralized plan.
Hagia Irene in Istanbul, Turkey
The construction of the Hagia Irene (or Holy Peace) began in the 6th century, but it was altered during the 8th century to incorporate an extra dome over the nave, which made the building more longitudinal.
Hagia Sophia in Trabzon, Turkey
Situated in the northeastern part of Turkey, it belongs to the Paleologan Period (named after the noble Byzantine Greek family), which became the last ruling dynasty of the Byzantine Empire. The buildings of this period did not emphasize on the vertical thrust, except this Hagia Sophia of Trabzon.
Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki, Athens
Cloisonné type of wall decoration is seen in this building, where one-colored stones are placed in a series along with bricks of another color. It shows variants of the quincunx plan. This structure includes three apses in the east direction, and the narthexes (entrance areas or church vestibule) to the west.
Virgin Mary Holding the Christ Child
This Mosaic is from the Hagia Sophia (9th century). It depicts Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child; Justinian on the left holding a model of the Hagia Sophia; and Constantine is on the right holding a model of the city of Constantinople. The Irene Ducas is another example of a 12th-century mosaic in the Hagia Sophia.
Ancient Byzantine Mosaic
An ancient mosaic from the Byzantine Era. Mosaics were a very essential part of the decoration done on the walls.
Influences of Byzantine Architecture
The Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture are influenced by the Byzantine construction pattern. Romanesque architecture also considers the structural walls or piers (wall sections) to be the main load-bearing segments. Cathedrals in France and Italy show small influences in their structural plans or decoration styles.
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
Islamic architecture on the eastern side of the Mediterranean has peculiar attributes originating from the Byzantine style. Dome of the Rock, built around 691 AD in Jerusalem is a striking example. The Umayyad Mosque of Damascus built in the early 8th century is similar to the Christian basilicas, but with further modifications.
Neo-byzantine Architecture
The temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade is a 12th century marvel, and the biggest neo-byzantine structural attempt. A centrally planned Greek-cross design, it has a large dome resting on four pendentives, and semi-domes built over apses.
Westminster Cathedral in London
Westminster Cathedral in London is an example of Byzantine culture being revisited through buildings. In the 1800s, industrial buildings showcased the Bristol Byzantine style in Bristol, which was a combination of Byzantine and Moorish architecture. It was developed to a greater extent by Russian architects.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria
The designs of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, St Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kiev, St. Mark’s Church in Belgrade, St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt, and the New Athos Monastery in New Athos near Sukhumi are all influenced by Byzantine art.