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ARCHITECTUR

GOTHIC
BYZANTINE
EARLY CHRISTIAN
EARLY MEDIEVAL

Sch. no. 101110044


-101110053

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Gothic architectureis a style of architecture that


flourished during the high and latemedieval period. It
evolved fromRomanesque architectureand was
succeeded byRenaissance architecture.
characteristic features include thepointed arch,
theribbed vaultand theflying buttress.
regional influence was the availability of materials.
limestonewas readily available, the very fine white
limestone ofCaenbeing favoured for sculptural
decoration. England had coarse limestone , red
sandstoneas well as greenPurbeck marblewhich
was often used for architectural features.

The nave is generally flanked on either side by aisles, usually single, but
sometimes double. The nave is generally considerably taller than the aisles,
having clerestorywindows which light the central space. Gothic churches of
the Germanic tradition, likeSt. Stephen of Vienna, often have nave and aisles
of similar height
One of thedefiningcharacteristics of Gothic architecture is the pointed
orogivalarch. Arches of this type were used in pre-Islamicas well asIslamic
architecturebefore they were structurally employed in medieval architecture
Gothic openings such as doorways, windows, arcades and galleries have
pointed arches. Gothicvaultingabove spaces both large and small is usually
supported by richly moulded ribs.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOTHIC CHURCHES AND


CATHEDRALS

In Gothic architecture, a unique combination of existing


technologies established the emergence of a new
building style. Those technologies were theogivalor
pointedarch, theribbed vault, and theflying buttress.
The Gothic style, when applied to
anecclesiasticalbuilding, emphasizes verticality and
light. The structural parts of the building ceased to be
its solid walls, and became a stone skeleton comprising
clusteredcolumns, pointed ribbedvaultsandflying
buttresses.

PLAN

Most Gothic churches, unless they are entitled chapels, are


of theLatin cross(or "cruciform") plan, with a long nave
making the body of the church, a transverse arm called
thetranseptand, beyond it, an extension which may be
called thechoir, chancel or presbytery.

The nave is generally flanked on either side by aisles,


usually single, but sometimes double. The nave is generally
considerably taller than the aisles, having
clerestorywindows which light the central space. Gothic
churches of the Germanic tradition, likeSt. Stephen of
Vienna, often have nave and aisles of similar height called.
In the South of France there is often a single wide nave and
no aisles.

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS

Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of


the finest examples ofFrench Gothic
architecture and thenaturalismof its
sculptures andstained glassare in contrast with
earlierRomanesque architecture.

Notre Dame de Paris was among the


first buildings in the world to use the
flying buttress.The building was not
originally designed to include the flying
buttresses around thechoirandnave.

Though severalorganswere installed


in the cathedral over time, the earliest
ones were inadequate for the building.
The first noteworthy organ was finished
in the 18th century

BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Byzantine architectureis thearchitectureof


theByzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged
as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is
today referred to as theRoman Empire
Use of lime concrete started in roman period was
continued by Byzantines. They manufactured bricks
which they use for construction of domes.
Flat roofs with small openings were adopted in hot
places and sheltered arcade surrounded the open
courtyard. These with oriental dome become the chief
feature of this style.

CONSTRUCTION OF DOMES

Byzantine architecture is characterised by the noval


development of dome to cover square or polygonal
plans of churches and tombs while romans placed
domes on circular plans.

Various types of domes used were simple , compound ,


melon shaped and onion shaped. Domes were placed
on square or polygonal plans by spherical pendentives.

Domes were constructed without


centering with thin radiating bricks
or light weight pumice stone to
lessen the side thrust on supporting
walls.
Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas

EXTERNAL FACADE

External faade 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
Mouldings were rare. Interiors were radiant with
beautiful pavement.Walls were fully covered with
marble mosaic and fresco decoration.
Byzantine architecture, which is devoid of sculpture,
expressed fully in flat coloured glass mosaics, biblical
scenes, group of saints, holy monogram of Christ over
church walls.

STRUCTURAL
EVOLUTION

As early as the building of Constantine's churches


inPalestinethere were two chief types of plan in
use: thebasilican or axial type, represented by the
basilica, and the circular or central type,
represented by the great octagonal church once
atAntioch. The central space in which deep
recesses, to the interior, were formed, as at the
noble church of St George,Salonica, or by a vaulted
aisle, as at,Rome; or annexes were thrown out from
the central space in such a way as to form a cross,
in which these additions helped to counterpoise the
central vault. The most famous church of this type
was that of theHoly Apostles, Constantinople. Vaults
appear to have been early applied to the basilican
type of plan; for instance, at Hagia Irene,the long
body of the church is covered by two domes.

HAGIA SOPHIA, TRABZON

The Hagia Sophia church is an important example


of lateByzantine architecture, being characterised
by a high centraldomeand four large column
arches supporting the weight of the dome and
ceiling.
Below the dome is an Opus sectilepavement of
multicolored stones. The church was built with a
cross-in-square plan, but with an exterior form that
takes the shape of a cross thanks to prominent
north and south porches.

frescoes

The structure is 22 metres long, 11.6 metres wide and


12.7 metres tall. The late 13th-century frescos,
revealed during the Edinburgh University restoration,
illustrateNew Testamentthemes. External stone
figurative reliefs and other ornamenting is in keeping
with local traditions found in Georgia and Armenia.
Hagia Sophia was built in Trebizond during
the reign ofManuel Ibetween 1238 and 1263.
AfterMehmed IIconquered the city in 1461
the church was converted into a mosque and
its frescos covered in whitewash

Dome frescoes

interior

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

The invention of the Christian church was one of the


brilliant--perhaps the most brilliant--solutions in
architectural history. This was achieved by a process of
assimilating and rejecting various precedents.

Early Christian Architecture: basilical church developed


from Roman secular basilica; centralized type from
Roman tombs.

In Rome, classical marble wall


membering and vocabulary, and
emphasis on massive wall,
gradually
replaced by
broad, flat surfaces, evenly
lighted; plain brick exteriors; mosaic
bands of interiors

CHURCH ARCHITECTURE

The simplest church building comprises a single


meeting space, built of locally available material and
using the same skills of construction as the local
domestic buildings.
The basilica always had a central aisle; and this nave or
central portion was usually separated from the side
aisles by rows of columns.
At the further end of the nave was the sanctuary or
apse, in front of which stood the altar.

CHARACTERSTIC FEATURES

In front of the whole was usually


an atrium or fore-court,
surrounded by a covered arcade.
The exterior was extremely
plain, and the interior
resplendent with marbles and
mosaics. A wooden roof covered
the edifice.
Above the columns that
surrounded the nave there
usually arose another story
called the clerestory (clear
story), the walls of which were
pierced with windows.

CHRISTIAN SCULPTURES

The sculpture of the


stonesarcophagus was extensively
practiced in Roman art and was
continued into the Christian era. In
some cases subjects similar to those
of the catacombs were used.
In others, scenes of the life of Jesus
or more ceremonious compositions
were created, showing the enthroned
Christ receiving the homage of the
apostles.
In addition, ivory carvers decorated
book
covers and reliquary caskets or larger

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICA

TheLatinwordbasilica was originally


used to describe a Romanpublic building,
usually located in the Roman town.
The temple was a backdrop for the
sacrifices. This exterior orientation of the
Pagan temple reflects the openness and
inclusive nature of Pagan religious
practices. This would lead to a significant
reorientation of religious architecture
from an architecture of the exterior to an
architecture of the interior.
Roman basilicas served places for public
gatherings: law courts, financial centers,
army drill halls, reception rooms in
imperial palaces. Roman cities would
regularly have a Basilica as a central
public building. It was, like our City Hall, a
center of public power.

KING HERODS TEMPLE

King Herod's temple, Jerusalem, Israel: successor


to King Solomon's temple: reconstruction before
destruction in 70 AD; same site with the Dome of
the Rock (fig. 334) on same terrace; Jews continue
to worship at the Western Wall of the temple
terrace today.

HOLY SEPULCHER

Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem, Israel:


Reconstructed plan in fourth century
Reconstructed interior perspective of the basilica
Reconstructed plan of basilica and Anastasis
rotunda in fourth century;
Exterior today, much rebuilt.

EARLY MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE

Western European architecture in


theEarly Middle Ages may be
divided intoEarly Christian andPreRomanesque
includingMerovingian,Carolingian ,
Ottonian, and Asturian.
While these terms are problematic,
they nonetheless serve adequately as
entries into the era.
Considerations that enter into
histories of each period include
Italian versus northern, Spanish, and
Byzantine elements, and especially
the religious and political
maneuverings between kings, popes,
and various ecclesiastic officials.

ROMANESQUE

Romanesque, prevalent in medieval


Europe during the 11th and 12th
centuries, was the first panEuropean style sinceRoman
Imperial Architectureand examples
are found in every part of the
continent.
The term was not contemporary
with the art it describes, but rather,
is an invention of modern
scholarship based on its similarity
to Roman Architecture in forms and
materials.
Romanesque is characterized by a
use of round or slightly pointed
arches, barrel vaults, and cruciform
piers supporting vaults.

ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS
The Romanesque Architecture of the Middle
Ages can be defined as having the following
features:
Stone used in Romanesque architecture was
cut with precision
The use of the Roman arch led to the stone
being supported in the middle by the arch
construction
Buttresses were introduced as a means of
support to the basic design in Romanesque
architecture in the Middle Ages
The vault was developed to enable the
construction of stone roofs. Barrel or Tunnel
Vaults - consisted of a continuous surface of
semicircular or pointed sections resembling a
barrel or tunnel which has been cut in half
lengthwise. Groin Vaults were produced by the
intersection, at right angles of two barrel
vaults. The arches of groin vaults were either
pointed or round

MEDIEVAL CASTLES

Most castles had just one central tower, called the


keep. A keep usually had two or three floors, with
one big room on each floor.
There was one big chimney running up the side, so
each room had one giant fireplace to heat it.
The castle of thekings of
FranceatVincennesis a good example of this
kind of castle. Other examples are theTower of
London, or theConciergeriein Paris.

TOWER OF LONDON

The Tower of London is one of London's most


popular and iconic tourist attractions. Built by
William the Conquerer in the early 1080s the
Tower's role has been as a fortress, palace and
prison.
The Tower includes the 'Yeomen of the Guard', the
Ravens, Henry VIII's armour, instruments of torture
in Lower Wakefield Tower and the Traitors Gate.

EARLY MEDIEVAL SURVIVORS

Because early medieval


domestic buildings were
usually made of wood, only
the stone edifices raised for
Christianity and military
protection remained.

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