1. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture
Architectural History
ACT 322
Doris Kemp

2. Topics Early Christian Architecture Rome Structures
Structures in the Holy Lands
Milan Structures
Ravenna Structures
Structures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

3. 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 dead

4. 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 churches

5. 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

6. 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 form

7. 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 there

8. Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land
Photo: Sullivan

9. 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 scale

10. Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land
Photo: Sullivan

11. 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 Christ

12. Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land
Photo: Sullivan

13. 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 Sepulcher

14. Early Christian Architecture: Rome and the Holy Land
Photo: Sullivan

15. Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna
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 West

16. 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 altar

17. 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 model

18. Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna
Photo: Sullivan

19. Early Christian Architecture: Milan and 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 architecture

20. 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: Sullivan

21. Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna
Photo: Sullivan

22. 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 Christ

23. Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna
Photo: Sullivan

24. 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 construction

25. Early Christian Architecture: Milan and Ravenna
Photo: Sullivan

26. 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.

27. Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland
Photo: Sullivan

28. 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 scheme

29. Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland
Photo: Sullivan

30. 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 architecture

31. Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland
Photo: Sullivan

32. 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 380

33. Early Christian Architecture: Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland
Photo: Sullivan

34. References Sullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/
Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity
Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

35. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture
Architectural History
ACT 322
Doris Kemp