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GOTHIC BYZANTINEEARLY CHRISTIANEARLY MEDIEVAL

ARCHITECTURESch. no. 101110044 -101110053

GOTHIC ARCHITECTUREGothic 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 CATHEDRALSIn 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 ARCHITECTUREByzantine architectureis thearchitectureof theByzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as theRoman EmpireUse 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.

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. NicholasCONSTRUCTION OF DOMES

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 bricksMouldings 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.

EXTERNAL FACADESTRUCTURAL EVOLUTIONAs 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.

frescoesThe 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

interior

Dome frescoes

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTUREThe 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 interiorsCHURCH ARCHITECTUREThe 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 FEATURESIn 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 SCULPTURESThe 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 objects, such as the throne of Maximianus in Ravenna, a work of the 6th cent.

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICATheLatinwordbasilica 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 TEMPLEKing 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 SEPULCHERChurch of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem, Israel:Reconstructed plan in fourth centuryReconstructed interior perspective of the basilicaReconstructed plan of basilica and Anastasis rotunda in fourth century; Exterior today, much rebuilt.

EARLY MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTUREWestern European architecture in theEarly Middle Ages may be divided intoEarly Christian andPre-Romanesque 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.

ROMANESQUERomanesque, prevalent in medieval Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries, was the first pan-European 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 ELEMENTSThe Romanesque Architecture of the Middle Ages can be defined as having the following features:Stone used in Romanesque architecture was cut with precisionThe use of the Roman arch led to the stone being supported in the middle by the arch constructionButtresses were introduced as a means of support to the basic design in Romanesque architecture in the Middle AgesThe 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 CASTLESMost 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 LONDONThe 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 SURVIVORSBecause early medieval domestic buildings were usually made of wood, only the stone edifices raised for Christianity and military protection remained.