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Early Christian Architecture

The document discusses the history and influences on early Christian architecture from the 4th century AD. It was influenced by existing Roman architecture as well as geographical, climatic, religious, and social/political factors. Important features included basilican design with naves, aisles, apses and baptisteries. Major early churches included St. Paolo Fuori Le Mura and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.

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Xlyth Rodriguez
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
920 views

Early Christian Architecture

The document discusses the history and influences on early Christian architecture from the 4th century AD. It was influenced by existing Roman architecture as well as geographical, climatic, religious, and social/political factors. Important features included basilican design with naves, aisles, apses and baptisteries. Major early churches included St. Paolo Fuori Le Mura and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.

Uploaded by

Xlyth Rodriguez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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History of architecture | world architecture

sculpture and mosaic from older building


w/c were turn into basilican churches of
EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE the new faith.
4th Century A. D.
CLIMACTIC INFLUENCE

• The climactic condition of Roman


provinces where Christianity was
GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE
established naturally modified the style.
• The fiercer the sun & hotter climate
necessitated small windows & other
Eastern features.

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE

• In 63 BC, the Romans conquered Judea in


the Eastern Mediterranean
• Main inhabitants were the Jews
• Jews believed that one day the “Messiah”
or “Christ” would free them from the
Romans
• Christianity spread out rapidly and was an
important factor in the development of
• Christianity had its birth in Judea, Eastern
early Christian architecture & inspired the
provinces of the Roman Empire.
building of some of the greatest
• Early Christian Architecture was influenced
architectural monuments.
by the existing Roman art.

GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE

• Constantine & Licinus issued their


celebrated edict of Milan giving
Christianity equal rights with other
• The ruins of the Roman buildings provided
religions and Constantine made it the
quarry where materials were obtained.
official religion.
• This influence of the style for construction,
decoration for columns, & other
architectural features as well as fine

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 47


History of architecture | world architecture

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE • They used bell tower or “campanile“ in


their exterior.
• Constantine was the prime character but
was not proclaimed Emperor; he removed
his empire from Rome to Byzantium and
developed a new style of Architecture.
• The final phase of Roman Architecture
from 4th to 6th Century, primarily in
church building

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

• They had either closely spaced columns


carrying the entablature (trabeated) or more
• Early Christian Architecture is basically widely spaced columns carrying semi-
Roman in character but executed it circular arches known as “archivolt”.
through:
- Simplicity In Design
- Coarseness In Execution

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE EARLY


CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

• They were usually with 3-5 aisles covered


by a simple trussed roof.
• Uses long rows of “off-repeated” columns
from entry to sanctuary for a long Church
appearance.
• An “arch of triumph” (transaction thru
death to life eternal) gave entrance to
• They contributed in the development of Sanctuary with the high altar at the corner.
“ribbed vaulting & arcades & timber
trussed roof”

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 48


History of architecture | world architecture

CHIEF CHURCHES BASILICAN CHURCHES PARTS OF BASILICAN CHURCH

• In the construction of a basilican church,


there is a rule that it should be built right
over the burial place of the saint to whom
the church was dedicated.

• Atrium – open rectangular forecourt,


surrounded by arcades, which formed as
the approach to the church with a fountain
at the center, containing water used for
“ablution” (a form of cleansing).
• Narthex – covered area between the
atrium & the church and which was
• And over this burial place, “crypt” was the assigned to the penitents.
high altar covered by a “ciborium”

• Nave and the Aisle – the nave is the central


aisle usually lighted by a clear storey of
• Ciborium, also known as tabernacle or small windows, with an aisle on either side
“baldachino”. usually half the width of the nave.

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 49


History of architecture | world architecture

• Apse orientation at the east, while the


entrance, at the west

BASILICAN CHURCHES

• Roman basilicas as models


• Usually erected over the burial place of the
saint to whom it was dedicated
• Unlike Greek and Roman temples that
sheltered gods, the purpose of the Christian
• Sanctuary – preceded by the “arch of church was to shelter worshippers
triumph” with a high altar in the center • Came in a complex, with cathedral, belfry
standing free under its “baldachino” or campanile, and baptistery
upheld by marble columns. • Fine sculptures and mosaics worked into
new basilicas
• Paid little regard to external architectural
effect
• Entrance at west
• Priest stood behind altar, facing east

Examples:

• Choir – placed in front of the & was


enclosed by a low screen walls known as
“cancelli” (hence chancel) & was provided
w/ a pulpit or “ambo” on either side use
for reading the epistle and gospel.

• Apse – terminal of the church, where


“sanctuary“ is located and the bishop took - St. Paolo Fuori Le Mura, Rome – largest &
the central space. most impressive among all basilican
churches.

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 50


History of architecture | world architecture

BAPTISTERIES

• Used only for sacrament of baptism, on


festivals of Easter, Pentecost and Epiphany
• Large separate building from church,
sometimes adjoined atrium

Examples:

- The Baptistery of Constantine, Rome – by


Sixtus III, dedicated to Constantine, oldest
- Church of Nativity, Bethlehem – founded among the Italian Baptisteries
by Constantine, built over the traditional
birth of Christ.
TOMBS OR CATACOMBS

• Christians objected to cremation, insisted


on burial on consecrated ground
• Land for burials had become scarce and
expensive
• Monumental tombs became expressions of
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem – faith in immortality
founded by Constantine, built over the • Cemeteries or catacombs were excavated
reputed tomb of Christ. below ground

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 51


History of architecture | world architecture

• Several stories extending downwards • Antepodium – a seat behind the choir


• Usually domed and enriched with lavish reserved for the clergy.
mosaic decorations
• Walls and ceilings were lavishly decorated
with paintings mixing pagan symbolism
with scenes from the bible

Example:

• Bema – a stage reserved for the clergy.

- Tomb of Galla Placidia, Ravenna – earliest • Chevet – the apse, ambulatory, & radiating
building of “ cruciform” plan terminal of a church.

TERMINOLOGIES:

• Clerestory –an upper stage in the church


• Ambulatory – a passageway around the with windows above the adjacent roof
apse of church.

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 52


History of architecture | world architecture

• Transept – the portion of a church crossing


the main axis at the right angle & forming
a cruciform plan.
• Clergy – priest with the religious elders. • Tribune – a slightly elevated platform or
• Dais – a raised platform reserved for the Dais for the speaker.
seating of speakers or dignitaries.

• Oratory – a small private chapel furnished


w/ an altar and a crucifix.

• Triforium – roof over the aisles below the


clerestory
• Sepulcher – a tomb or receptacles for relics
especially in a Christian altar.

• Reredos – an ornamental screen or wall at


the back of an altar. -End of Section-

All rights reserved © Claudia Isabelle Montero W ORLD: EARLY CHRISTIAN | 53

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