Early Christian

Architecture
Simran Loonawat
Sneha R
Sonika Madhuri
Spurthi M Revankar
Srikumaran Umapathy
Srujana B N
History
Christianity was founded by Jesus. He was born in Bethlehem near
Jerusalem. He was the son of Joseph and mother Mary. He lived in
Nazareth. When he was 30 he started preaching about the kingdom of
god and plunged himself for the services of mankind. So he became a
revolutionary figure among the Jewish religious leaders who had only
contempt for the poor and sinner. So he boldly exposed the injustice
and hypocrisy of those religious leaders. Afraid of his growing power,
they accused him of blasphemy and complained against him to Pontius
Pilate, the Roman Governor. Consequently he was crucified. But this
was not the end. He resurrected again n the third day. His disciples
were shocked and surprized when their beloved Jesus appeared before
them they therefore realised Jesus Christ was not an ordinary man and
further recognised him as ‘Son Of God’. This recognition was the birth
of Christianity as a religion of new faith. Jerusalem where Christ lived
and preached is considered to be the most sacred place to the Christians
all over the world.
• The vast Roman Empire spanning from the main lands of Italy,
Greece extending up to England and France in the north, as well
as encircled around to the Mediterranean Sea confronting with
Asia Minor and North Africa was subject to dismantling due to
lack of central power.
• The vast empire was divided into western and eastern empires
• The rich western province centered around Rome was obviously
the target for invaders who destroyed the city.
• These confrontation resulted in the migration of artisans,
craftsmen, masons to other developing countries – eastern
province which were less hazardous.
• Due to this fact the Western province faced discontinuation of
construction tradition and caused overall deterioration in build
skills.
• On the contrary, the eastern province which accepted the migrated
population was provided with continuation of Roman structural techniques.
• The western empire was centred around Rome while the Eatsern empire
flourished around Constantinople (currently, Istanbul), which was
strategically located on trade route by sea – connecting Asia and North
Africa by Europe.
• Christianity was born in Judea – a place in eastern province of the Roman
empire, which spread towards the north and west even against the
backdrop of great opposition and ultimately accepted as state religion.
• The formulation phase of Christianity and its architecture can be considered
from Constantine period (300 AD) to Charlemagne (800 AD – French ruler
• The development of Christian Architecture thus can be divided into the
following phases:
• In these phases, architectural development experienced the
formulation phase, alterations and development in plans, profile
surroundings and concluded with limitation of classical structures
and mannerism.
• The development of Christian architecture in general proved
beneficial in establishing new norms, new construction features,
new materials, different types of façade treatments and also
versatile construction analysis.
• The phases proved beneficial not only for the religious
architecture but also for secular, domestic, commercial and
Mediterranean development.
Geographical
• Christianity had its birth in Judaea , an eastern province of the
roman empire, spread and carried by St. Peter, St. Paul and other
missionaries to Rome, as the centre of the World – Empire.
• Early Christian architecture at Rome was influenced by, and was
the logical outcome of, existing Roman architecture, modified in
other parts of the empire according to the type already
recognized as suitable for the geographical situation of those
countries, such as Syria, Asia minor , north Africa, and Egypt
Geological
• Geological influences may be said to have
acted indirectly on Early Christian
architecture for the ruins of roman
building often provided the quarry where
obtained.
• This influenced the style, both as regards
construction and decoration.
• Columns and other architectural features,
as well as fine sculptures and mosaics from
older building, were incorporated into
basilican churches of the new faith.
 Climatic
• North Italy has the climate of the temperate region
of Europe . Central Italy is genial and sunny.
Southern Italy is almost tropical.
• This variety of climatic condition is sufficient to
account for diversity of architectural features and
treatment in the peninsula itself.
• The climatic conditions in Roman provinces as Egypt
, Syria, and North Africa where Christianity was
established were varied , and naturally modified the
style in those countries where the fiercer sun and
hotter climatic necessitated small windows and other
Eastern features.
Religious
In all human history there is no record so striking as that of the rise of
Christianity a phenomenon so outstanding as the rapidity with which it
was diffused throughout the civilized world, and, not only in this
period
but also in all subsequent ages.
Christianity has inspired the building of some of the greatest
architectural monuments.
The number of Christian communities established by the Apostle Paul
in his missionary journeys round the Eastern Mediterranean, in Syria,
Africa, Greece, and Italy, might lead us to expect many more ruins of
Early Christian basilican churches throughout these districts.
• In this connection, however, it must be remembered that the God
preached by S. Paul was " not like unto gold or silver or stone graven
by art and device of man," nor a God that dwelled " in temples made
with hands " like those of the old Greeks and Romans which were
built to shelter the statues of the gods.
• Purpose of the Christian church was to shelter worshippers who met
for prayer and praise to an unseen Deity, and, during the unsettled
conditions at the beginning of Christianity, various places were
adapted for this worship.
• Building of pagan temples ceased before any attempt was made to
build Christian churches.
• In A.D. 313 Constantine issued his celebrated decree from Milan,
giving Christianity equal rights with other religions.
• In A.D. 323 he himself professed Christianity, which became the
official religion of the Roman Empire, and the Christians then began
to build churches of a type suit-able to their needs and ritual.
Social
• Constantine changed the capital of the Empire from Rome to
Byzantium in A.D. 324, when the old Roman political system came to
an end, and reigned as an absolute monarch till his death in A.D. 337.
• Christianity suffered disabilities upon the division of the Roman
Empire, which first took place in A.D. 365 when Valentinian became
Emperor of the West and his brother Valens of the East. Colossal
marble head of Emperor.
• Theodosius the Great (A.D. 379-395) reunited, for a time, the Eastern
and Western Empires, and in A.D. 438 Theodosius II published his
legal code, an important work on the constitutions of the Emperors
from the time of Constantine.
• The series of Emperors in the West came to an end in A.D. 475, and
the Eastern and Western Empires were nominally reunited by Zeno,
who reigned at Constantinople.
• Then again the seat of power was changed, and Theodoric the
Goth reigned in Italy (A.D. 493–526) during a period of peace
and prosperity
• Byzantine art influenced Early Christian art by way of Ravenna,
which rivalled Rome in importance and was the capital of the
Gothic Dynasty A.D. 493–552 with the exception of a short
period when it was subdued by Justinian (A.D. 537)
• Kings were now elected for the separate states of Spain, Gaul,
Northern Africa, and Italy, where King Odoacer recognized the
supremacy of the one Roman Emperor at Constantinople.
• Emancipation of Western Europe from direct imperial control
resulted in the development of Romano-Teutonic civilization, it
facilitated the growth of new states and nationalities, gave a
fresh impulse to Christianity, and eventually strengthened the
power of the Bishops of Rome.
Historical
The Early Christian period is generally taken as lasting from
Constantine to the death of Gregory the Great (A.D. 604),
although in Rome and many Italian cities it continued up to the
tenth century.
Huns incursions into Germany about A.D. 376 eventually brought
about invasions from the north into Italy, and in A.D. 410 Rome
itself was sacked by the Goths under Alaric.
Spread of the new religion was arrested during this period of
change and upheaval, till A.D. 451, the defeat of Attila, King of
the Huns, at the battle of Chalons aided in the consolidation of
Christianity in Europe
• In A.D. 568 the Lombards penetrated into Italy and held the northern part for 200
years. In A.D. 800 Charlemagne was crowned by the Pope in Rome, and from this date
the Empire was styled the Holy Roman Empire, a title retained till A.D. 1800.
• Under Pope Gregory the Great (A.D. 590–604) Early Christian architecture, the latest
phase of Roman art, gradually fell into disuse, and for the next two centuries
architectural development was practically at a standstill in Europe.
• Even though the influence of Byzantium asserted itself, old Roman traditions were in
abeyance till the time when Romanesque architecture gradually evolved.

Miniature
depicting Pope
Leo III crowning
Charlemagne
emperor on
Christmas Day,
800
 Summary on the social characteristics and beliefs in the Early Christian
period

• The single most important social phenomenon of the Early

Christian period was the spread and acceptance of the Christian
religion
• During the period from the first century to the third century after
the death of Jesus, Christianity was a secret society.
• It was considered dangerous and subversive by the government
Christians met secretly in tombs and private houses
• Gradually, however, it spread and became widely accepted in
Asia minor and in Rome itself.
• By the third century, Rome had a population of 50,000
Christians
• The religion was tolerated but it was illegal.
 TIMELINE
29 AD Passing of Isa (AS) and
the beginning of Christian
Religion
286 AD Emperor Diocletian
reorganizes the Roman Empire
splitting it into two; the
Eastern and Western part

313 AD Emperor Constantine

recognizes the Christian
religion and adopts it is a state
religion
324 AD Emperor Constantine
reunited the Roman Empire
with a new capital

364 AD Rome finally splits

into two; The western and
Eastern Empire
Architectural Features
• With Christianity widely accepted as a state religion in Rome it was
necessary fir architecture to respond to the demands of the religion
for the worship space.
• Mode of worship was the most important determinant of the form of
the church.
• The requirements include:
• A path for processional entry and exit of the clergy
• An altar area, where the clergy celebrate the mass
• A space for the segregation of the clergy from the congregation
during procession and communion
• Burial space
The Early Christians did make ample use of Greco Roman architecture.
There was no prosperity as was in Roman period. They had no
substantial's precedents of their own to follow. They made use of remains
of roman buildings for the construction of their new churches.
The orders of the temples and stoas weather Doric, Ionic, Corinthian
were collected and disposed them in symbolic plans. In early stages they
did not solve constructive problems. The column, either short or long,
fluted or unfluted, were brought to uniform size and height by some
device for use in the same church. Columns were either closely spaced to
carry entablature or widely spaced to carry semi-circular arches.
There was no one basic kind of Constantinian church. Even the basilican
form was variously treated and was not in anyway standardised.
The plan of the church was simple in design, having two colonnades
forming a long nave in the centre and two aisles on either side with a
high altar at one end and covered with simple timber roof trusses.
The baptisteries and mausoleum chapels however were circular,
octagonal in shape based on Roman precedent, and also in the shape of
a Greek cross.
Yet Early Christian style evolved many forms, visual effects from those
already in existence.
The monumental churches succeeded brilliantly for the rapid changing
world. The basilican churches were rendered spacious, graceful,
impressive and dignified by arranging the columns in rows. Most
important of all, the main entrance was provided in one shorter side.
This sort of treatment had driving point of focus. Eye was directed
horizontally along the row of columns to the seat of gods placed on
high altar. One can see that a continuous magical rhythm fills the whole
of church.
Mouldings were coarse-like in the Roman period. Skilled craftsman were
scarce. Incised relief mouldings, acanthus leaf mouldings were most
common.
A vast cycle of pictures, emblem, Biblical scenes and processions of
martyrs in mosaic began by Ostrogoth's and finished under Justinian
enriched Early Christian architecture. In all these, colour was the prime
ingredient. Coloured mosaics representing Christ, the Virgin lined the
apses of the semi-circular domes. Pictures showing Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Heaven, Biblican scenes became usual features of decoration.
Their architecture represents their fanaticism, their passionate search for
the mystery of the Real Presence.
The constructional features and spatial development are so fitting and
completely established that neither gothic nor the present day churches
have gone beyond it.
• Basilican churches had either closely spaced columns
carrying the entablature, or more widely spaced columns
carrying semicircular arches.
• The basilican church with there or five aisles, covered by a simple
timber roof, is typical of the Early Christian style as opposed to the
vaulted Byzantine church with its central circular dome placed over a
square by means of pendentives and surrounded by smaller domes.
• It is long perspective of oft-repeated columns which carry the eye
along to the sanctuary; a treatment which, combined with the
comparatively low height of interiors, makes these churches
appear longer than they really are, as it seen in S. Paolo fuori le
Mura, and S. Maria Maggiore
 Characteristics Of The Early Christian
Church Building
Early Christian Architecture is Transitional Architecture and
have no own structure

• The church building as we know it grew out of a number of features of the Ancient
Roman period:

• The house church

• The atrium
• The basilica
• The bema
• The mausoleum: centrally-planned building
• The cruciform ground plan: Latin or Greek cross
House Church
The first house church is where the disciples of Jesus met together in the "Upper Room" of a house. For
the first three centuries of the church, known as Early Christianity, Christians typically met in homes, if
only because intermittent persecution (before the Edict of Milan in 313 AD) did not allow the erection
of public church buildings. Clement of Alexandria, an early church father wrote of worshiping in a
house. The Dura-Europos church was found to be used as a Christian meeting place in AD 232, with ne
small room serving as a baptistery at many points subsequent history, various Christian groups
worshipped in homes, often due to persecution by the state church or the civil govt.
Atrium
• When Early Christian
communities began to build
churches they drew on one
particular feature of the
houses that preceded them,
the atrium, or courtyard
with.
• A colonnade surrounding
it. Most of these atriums
have disappeared.
Basilica
• Is a rectangular
early Christian or
medieval church,
usually having a
nave with
clerestories, two
or four aisles, one
or more vaulted
apses, and a
timber roof.
• Many basilica churches were
erected out of fragments
taken from older buildings,
and present a curious
mixture of columns, capitals,
&c.; others, especially those
at Ravenna, exhibit more
care, and are noble
specimens of ancient and
severe architectural work.
The illustration which we
give of part of the nave,
arcade, and apse of one of
these, Sant’ Apollinare in
Classe, shows the dignified
yet ornate aspect of one of
the most carefully executed
of these buildings
Mausoleum
• Monumental form of tomb.

• A mausoleum is a house of the

dead, although ii is often as
much a symbol as a sepulcher.

• This term has been employed

for large, monumental, and
stately tombs, usually erected for
distinguished or prominent
individuals.
Latin and Greek Cross
• Greek Cross, Latin Cross,
Rotunda.
• These terms usually refer to
the shape of a church.
• A Greek cross church has four
arms having the same length.
• A Latin cross church has the
arm of the entrance longer
than the other arms.
INTRODUCTION

• THE TERM EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE REFERS TO THE ARCHIECTURE OF

EARLY CHRISTIAN CHRUCHES OF THE ROMAN ERA
• EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WERE FURTHER DIVIDED INTO TWO
• BASILICA CHRUCH
• ALTERNATIVE CHRUCH PLAN
• WITH CHRISTANITY ACCEPTED AS A STATE RELIGION IN ROME AND EXPANDING
IN INFLUENCE IT BECOME NECESSARY FOR ARCHITECTURE TO RESPOND TO THE
SPACE DEMANDS OF THE NEW RELIGION.
 FROM AGORA TO BASILICAN CHRUCH
Greece
• Agora –assembly or gathering
place
• Served as a marketplace
Rome
• Forum- centre roman public life
• Venue for public speeches,
criminal trials
• Basilica part of forum
• Served as place for giving justice
and transacting business
• The layout of basilicas was ,by
extension used for Christian
churches ,having the same form
 PARTS OF AN EARLY CHRISTIAN
BASILICA
• Propylaeum-the entrance building of a sacred precinct, whether church or imperial palace.
• Atrium –in early Christian ,byzantine and medieval architecture, the forecourt of a church it has colonnade with
portico on all four sides
• Narthex-the entrance hall or porch proceeding the nave of a church
• Nave –the great central space in a church. In longitudinal churches it extends from the entrance to apse and is
usually flanked by side aisles.
• Side aisle –one of the corridor running parallel to the nave of church and separated from it by an arcade or
colonnade
• Crossing –the area in a church where the transept and the nave
intersect.
• In a cruciform church , the whole arm set at right angle to the nave 8.
Apse-sometimes rectangular but usually semicircular, in the wall at the
end of roman basilica or Christian church. The apse in a roman
basilica frequently contained image of the emperor .In early Christian
basilica ,the apse contains the cathedra or throne of the bishop and
the alter
S.GIOVANNI LATERANO (AD 313 -320)
A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF EARLY CHRISTAIN CHRUCH
IS S.GIOVANNI IN LATERANO ROME.
IT WAS THE FIRST CHRUCH COMMISSION BY
EMPEROR CONSTANTINE
IT WAS BUILT AS THE CATHEDRAL OF BISHOP OF
ROME
IT WAS REMODELED SEVERAL TIMES ,NOTABLE IN
17TH AND 19TH CENTURY.
IT WAS A BASILICA WITH A WIDE CENTRAL NAVE
TERMINATING IN AN APSE
CENTRAL NAVE WAS FLANKED WITH DOUBLE
AISLES ON EITHER SIDE (OF WHICH INNER ONE
WERE TALLER THAN THE OUTER )
THE TALL NAVE COLONNADES CARRIED
ENTABLATURES AND THE LOWER AISLE CARRIED
ARCADES.
THE CENTRAL NAVE ROSE ABOVE THE AISLE ROOF
AND THE INNER AISLE BROSE ABOVE THE OUTER.
THE STRUCTURE WAS OF BRICK FACED CONCRETE
WITH SIMPLE TRUSSED TIMBER ROOF
 BASILICAN CHURCH OF S.PETER , ROME

• IT WAS BUILT BY CONSTANTINE IN 300AD.

• IN THE FIRST CENTURY, NERO BUILT A CIRCUS OUTSIDE THE
CITY WHICH WAS USED FOR HORSE AND CHARIOT RACING.
• ST PETER WAS CRUCIFIED AT THE OBLISK THAT STOOD ON THE
SPINE OF THE CIRCUS AND THEN BURIED IN THE ADJACENT
CEMETARY.
• TH CEMETARY WAS IN USE FOR NEXT 250 YEARS UNTIL
CONSTANTINE DECIDED TO BUILD HIS MEMORIAL CHRUCH
THERE IN HONOUR OF PETER.
• THE GROUND PLAN IS IN THE FORM OF CROSS,THE SIGN
UNDER
• WHICH HE HAD CONQURED.
• THE ORIGINAL CHRUCH SURVIVED WITHOU MUCH CHANGE
UNTIL TOWARDS THE END OF 15TH CENTURY AND THE NAVE
FOR ANOTHER CENTURY.
• REMAINS OF OLD FOUNDATION ARE PRESENT BELOW THE
PRESENT BELOW THE RESENT FLOORING BUT THE DETAILS OF
THE ATRIUM IS OBSCURE.
• A BOARD PLATFORM OR BEMA EXTENDED TO EACH SIDE AND
APSE PROJECTED BEHIND.
• IN FRONT STRECHED THE BASILICA,SOME 64 M WIDE WITH
DOUBLE AISLES ON EACH SIDE AND SOME 90M LONG NOT
COUNTING THE BEMA AND APSE.
• THE NAVE WAS DIVIDED FROM AISLES BY 22 VAIRED (SIZE AND COLOUR ),HUGE AND ANTIQUE
MARBLE COLUMNS WITH EQUALLY VARIED CAPITALS SUPPORTING THE NAVE WALLS ON A
HORIZONTAL ENTABLATURE,WHILE SIMILAR NUMBERS OF SHORTER COLUMNS CARRYING
ARCADES DIVIDED AISLE FROM AISLE.

• THE ATRIUM OF OPEN RECANGULAR COURT FORMED AN IMPOSING APPROACH

• NEXT IS NARTHEX BETWEEN ATRIUM AND CHRUCH.
• THE NARTHEX OPENED TO THE GREAT NAVE WITH DOUBLE AISLES ENDING IN FIVE ARCHES ,THE
CENTRAL ONE IS CALLED THE ARCH OF TRIUMPH.
• AT THE END WAS BEMA OF PLATFORM AND APSE WITH POPE’S SEAT.
In Iraq many of early churches were likely converted by islam into
mosques
• Syria is an exception. The conquest of Islam left tge greater part
of this area an empty desert. Since most of these early churches
were built of stone, they have survived. They are therefore some
of tge best available examples of Christian architecture from the
third and fourth centuries.

• The holy land, especially Jerusalem and Bethlehem, was a place

of pilgrimage and therefore was the site of many beautiful
churches.Many of these were constructed first by the order of
Roman Emperor Constantine and later Justinian. Scant remains
are still left of these churches. The Crusaders who came 1000
years later, in their love of building,showed little respect for
ancient monuments.
Church of the holy
Sepulcher, Jerusalem
Constantine’s most important church.
Its present form is the result of several major
reconstructions & adaptations
Most notable is Gothic choir and the tall
entrance facade on one side by the Crusaders in
12th century
Recent excavations have done much to clarify its
original form.
Consisted of several related structures :
ANASTASIS ROTUNDA plan was reconstructed.
This is rising over the tomb ,
• a porticoed court embracing in one corner,
THE ROCK OF CALVARY.
• MEMORIAL OR MARTYRIUM BASILICA
Also serving as cathedral and an outer atrium

It is irregular in shape because of the nature of

the site.
Approached from the street through a
propylum
The basilica was shorter in relation to its width
and had galleries as well as double aisles on
each side.
The precise form of the altar is not yet fully
established.
 The Church of Nativity
,Bethlehem (330 A.D).
• It was founded by Constantine at the birth place
of Jesus Christ.
• It consists of -
• an ATRIUM
• A LARGE-SIZED NAVE,
• TWO AISLES
• FORMED BY TWO ROWS OF MONOLITHIC
CORINTHIAN COLUMNS ABOUT 6 M IN
HEIGHT.
• It terminates in a large TRICONCH
ARRANGEMENT, comprising a central apse and
two similar apsidal transept arms below which is
the Grotto Of The Nativity
• the nave and aisles of the original basilica
probably did not differ greatly from the present
ones, but in the place of the triconch termination
they opened into a large octagon probably with a
conical roof over the grotto.
• This historic building is surrounded by high walls
enclosing precincts of Greeks, Latinas and
Americans.
The Church of St.Clement Rome , Italy
• FIRST BASILICA DEDICATED TO POPE ST. CLEMENTE I.
• REBUILT 1084-1108 OVER A 4TH CENTURY CHURCH
• DIMENSIONS : 45.0 M X 25.0 M WITH WIDTH OF NAVE AS 13.0 M.

• MOST INTERESTING EXAMPLE OF THE CONTINUED ROMAN USE

OF EARLY BASILICAN PLAN UNTIL WELL INTO ROMANESQUE
PERIOD.

• ANTE PORTICO OR PORCH

• ATRIUM , or court; under which the penitent ( feeling of
sorrow ), and those who had fallen away from the faith ,
demanded the prayers of the passers by.
• On ONE OF THE SIDE AISLES , WERE THE MEN, the
CATACHUMENS ( is receiving instruction in preparation for
Christian baptism ) , AND THE NEWLY CONVERTED.
• AISLES ON THE RIGHT FOR THE WOMEN , narrower than
the other one .
• Space ENCLOSED WITH A LOW WALL OF MARBLE , within
which were the acolytes, the exorcists , and other
functionaries of the minor orders.
• SANCTUARY TERMINATEDS IN A SEMICIRCLE , AROUND
WHICH is THE BENCH FOR THE PRIESTS WITH THE
EPISCOPAL SEAT (bishop's throne ) ; IN THE CENTER AN
ISOLATED ALTAR ,and IN FRONT THE CONFESSION BOX.
• AT THE CENTER of San Clemente’s FORECOURT THERE IS
A FOUNTAIN , a TRADITIONAL SYMBOL OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY.
• THE RICHLY PROFILED ALTAR IS INSCRIBED WITH
A DEDICATION TO ST.CLEMENT, WHOSE RELICS ,
along with those of St. Ignatius, lie directly
underneath in the confessio. .
• here is a beautiful detail, common in paleo-
Christian Churches, yet unfortunately never seen
today.
• The confessio is simply a chamber for relics
below an altar.
• As a unit, the confessio and altar form a cube,
which is the ideal geometry of an altar.
• THE ALTAR SITS JUST PROUD OFNTHE CENTRE OF
THE HALF DOME , THE APSE.
• THE PRESENT DAY( ROMAN CATHOLIC MINOR
BASILICA) CHURCH IS ACTUALLY A 3
TIERED COMPLEX BUILDINGS

• LOWER PART: 2 STRUCTURES 1ST CENTURY

HOUSE OF A ROMAN NOBLE AND 2ND CENTURY
PAGAN TEMPLE DEDICATED TO GOD MITRA

• MIDDLE PART: 4TH CENTURY (C. 380 AD) OLD

CHURCH DEDICATED TO ST. CLEMENTE

• TOP PART - EARLY 12TH CENTURY 1100 AD

ROMANESQUE CHURCH REPLICA OF THE EARLIER
CHURCH
St. CATHERINE’S MONASTERY
• THIS CHRUCH IS BUIT WITHIN A FORTESS.
• IT IS OF SIMPLEST STONE CONSTRUCTION.
• IT WAS TIMBER TRUSS ROOF WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN FABRICATED
ELSEWHERE.
• IT CONTAINS PREFECTLY PRESERVED,THE FINEST APSE MOSAIC OF PERIOD
,PORTRAYING THE TRANS –FIGURATION ANG CLEARLY MADE BY CRAFTMAN
FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.
• THE CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION IS THE
MONASTERY'S FOCAL POINT AND DOMINATES THE
ENTIRE COMPLEX
• . BUILT UNDER ORDERS BY THE BYZANTINE EMPEROR
JUSTINIAN, THE CHURCH'S ELABORATELY CARVED
WOODEN DOOR LEADS YOU INTO THE THREE-
AISLED BASILICA.
• HEAVY GRANITE COLUMNS BOASTING RICHLY
DECORATED FOLIAGE CAPITALS SEPARATE THE AISLES,
WHILE ON THE WALLS, PAINTINGS OF SAINTS STARE
DOWN FROM ABOVE.
• THE NAVE IS SEPARATED FROM THE APSE BY A
GILDED ICONOSTASIS .
• BEHIND THE APSE — ALSO CLOSED TO VISITORS — IS
THE CHAPEL OF THE BURNING BUSH. THIS WAS THE
ORIGINAL CHURCH OF THE MONASTERY, BUILT ON
BYZANTINE EMPRESS HELENA'S ORDERS. A SILVER
PLAQUE IN THE FLOOR HERE MARKS THE SPOT
WHERE GOD IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE APPEARED TO
MOSES.
.
St. MARIA MAGGIORE,ROME
• IT WAS BUILT BY POPE SIXTUS III.
• IT IS A SUBTRERRANEAN BUILDING OF HARDLY 13M IN
LENGTH.
• IT IS SINGLE AISLES HALL WITH BEAUTIFUL IONIC COLUMNS
IN MARBLE.
• ABOVE THE ENTABLATURE IS A FINE SERIES OF ORIGINAL
MOSAIC PANELS DEPICTING SCENES FROM OLD TESTAMENT.
• AT THE APSIDAL END IS THE HIGH ALTER BUILT OVER
CONFESSIO COVERED BY BALDACHINO.
BAPTISTERY
• Baptistery, hall or chapel situated close to, or connected with, a church, in which the
sacrament of baptism is administered.

• The baptistery was commonly octagonal in plan, a visual metaphor for the number eight,
which symbolized in Christian numerology a new beginning.

• A Baptistery was roofed with a dome.

• Baptisteries commonly adjoined the atrium, or forecourt, of the church and were often
large and richly decorated.
 Plan Views of Early Churches

(E) Xenodochium of Pammachius,

Porto; (F) St. Maria Maggiore,
Rome; (G) Basilica in Kalb-Luseh,
Syria.

A) St. Lorenzo, Rome; (B) Basilica in

Suweda, Syria; (C) Basilica Ursiana,
Ravenna; (D) St. Paul's, Rome
Exterior and Interior Views of Early Churches

Basilica in Turmanin, Syria Basilica in Kalb-Luseh, Syria

St. Apollinare in Nuovo, Ravenna. Sixth century St. George, Ezra, Syria
LATERAN BAPTISTERY
• The domed octagonal Lateran Baptistery is the
oldest Baptistery in the world.

• In those days this was the only Baptistery in the

world and all christians were baptised here by
the pope.
• The octagonal-shaped baptistery has served as a
model for baptisteries worldwide.

• Its octagonal structure, centered upon the large

octagonal basin for full immersions, provided a
model for others throughout Italy

• The dome, which originally rested on an

architrave is now supported by an arcade that
rests on classical porphyry columns.

• Several chapels adjoin the baptistery. On the

west side is the chapel of John the Baptist

• Opposite is the chapel of John the Evangelist

NOCERA SUPERIORE BAPTISTERY
• The Nocera baptistery belonged to the
sixth century.

• Like most baptisteries , it was covered by

a dome.

• The layout of the monument centres on

an enormous three-metre high cylinder,
with a baptismal fountain in the centre

• Along the edge of the dome, fifteen

coupled columns and the architrave
support the structure.
ST.CONSTANZA , ROME
 ST.CONSTANZA, ROME
•This was a church originally designed as a
mausoleum for emperor constantine’s daughter
•It was designed as a centralized monument
•It is symmetrical in plan with a domed central space
•A vestibule porch leads into a circular barrel-vaulted
ambulatory
•The domed central space was ringed by an arcade
with12 pairs of double colonnade
•Beyond the arcade is an encircling ambulatory
•A barrel vault is used to roof the ambulatory
•The whole aisle vault still has its original mozaic
decoration,largely of geometric motifs and
interwined vines on a white backround.
ST STEFANO ROTONDO
 ST STEFANO ROTONDO
San Stefano Rotondo is the only extant early Christian
Church with a completely circular plan. Built to house
the relics of St. Stephen, its form followed in the
tradition of the ancient Roman mausoleums.
Two concentric rings of columns surround a central
octagonal altar and with the exterior wall make two
annular ambulatories, the outer one of which includes
the entry porch and a number of chapels. The columns
could not carry a heavy dome and probably only
supported a light conical roof.
The central ring is lit by clerestory windows in a
curving wall supported by the columns.
A transverse arcade which bisects the center was later
added to stabilize the structure and makes a striking
spatial division.
The exterior is brick masonry and the roof is framed in
timber. The contemporary interior is plain white
stucco, but there is evidence that it was originally faced
in rich marbles.
TOMB OF GALLA PLACIDIA , RAVENNA
•Located in the backyard of san vitale,
the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna is known
for its ancient and breathtaking mosaics.
•It was attached to one end of the narthex of original
church of st.Corce
•Like the church,it is cruciform in plan
•Over the crossing rises a low square
tower,terminating in a dome with merging
pendentives
•The whole of vault surfaces are covered in mosaic
and the walls below in marble
•Sacropahgi still stand in the three shorter arms of the
cross
•it has blind arches on its walls and a square tower
over the crossing.