The Early Christian Period 250-1200 AD
Early Middle Ages
THE OLD BASILICA OF ST. PETER
From a fresco in S. Martino ai Monte, Rome
Begun c. 333
Around 333 Constantine began the construction of St.
Peter's, which eventually was adopted as the prototype of the Christian
basilica. It was based on classic Roman models. It had a large apse that held
the bishop's throne and a large central altar. The nave was the place for the
congregation, and was bordered by arcades or columns. Above the nave were
clerestory windows and an open timber roof. Side aisles were largely for
processions. One new feature was the transept, crossing arms between the nave
and the apse, possibly used for meetings of the clergy. The steps in this
fresco between the nave and the aisles and the nave and the apses are
undocumented. Notice the lavish decorations throughout the church.
Exterior,
St. SABINA
Rome422-432
The typically plain exterior of the apse and right side of St. Sabina,
probably the greatest parish church of the fifth century. Closely placed
clerestory windows flood the nave with light. The building extension on the far
left was a tenth century addition.
Detail,
COLUMNS AND ENTABLATURE
St. Lorenzo fuori le MuraRome570-590
The classical columns and pieced-together entablature come from ancient
buildings. Reusing old materials is a common practice among Early Christian
builders. Notice the pilaster on the far wall.
Exterior,
St. LORENZO
Milanc. 370
In the fourth century Milan was an Imperial capital and a spiritual
center. St. Lorenzo is one of five large churches built during this time.
A quatrefoil structure, it has a double-shell design that is based on the plans
of second century and later Roman baths and palaces. There are four towers at
the church corners and chapels off the outer shell. An atrium and propylaeum
face the street.
Romanesque
WEST
FACADE
Corvey on the WeserGermany873-85
The early towering design on the west wall of Corvey, though heightened
in the mid-twelfth century, became characteristic of the German Romanesque.
CRYPT
OF ST. GERMAIN
St. GermainAuxerre850-9
A major step in Carolingian Romanesque architecture and in religious
architecture in general is the development of the interior space at the east
end to include the apse, ambulatory, and radiating chapels. In its first stages
it is called an apse chelon, later referred to as a chevet). This new
arrangement allowed pilgrims to visit the tombs of a saint by moving around the
apse without disturbing the services in the main church area. One of the
earliest examples is in the abbey church of St. Germain. The decorative
painting in the crypt is among the oldest to survive in France.
ABBEY
CHURCH OF NOTRE DAME Jumieges
1037-66
One of the most beautiful Norman churches is the surviving abbey church
at Jumieges. The church's clarity of line and design is very apparent from the
apse, which had an ambulatory without radiating chapels. At the crossing one of
four arches remain, supporting the fragmentary two-stage lantern tower. The
masonry is of ashlar blocks.
PISAN
BUILDING COMPLEX
1063-1350
One of the most famous building complexes in the world, the Pisan group
consists of the cathedral, baptistery, belfry or campanile, and the Camposanto.
The architectural forms are simple. Typical of Italian Romanesque, they all are
faced with marble paneling, arcading, and colonnades. The buildings are highly
ornamented.
READING STAND
Cosmati
San Lorenzo al Verano
Rome
First half of 13th century
A Cosmati masterpiece, this stand for the reading of the
Gospel is simply designed but stunningly decorated.
THRONE
OF CHARLEMAGNE
Palatine ChapelAachenc.800
The throne of Charlemagne is made of simple marble slabs,
raised above the gallery floor on its own stepped platform. The throne's
elegant but spare form contrasts with the rich surroundings in the imperial
chapel.
Early Middle Ages
THE OLD BASILICA OF ST. PETER
From a fresco in S. Martino ai Monte, Rome
Begun c. 333
Around 333 Constantine began the construction of St. Peter's, which eventually was adopted as the prototype of the Christian basilica. It was based on classic Roman models. It had a large apse that held the bishop's throne and a large central altar. The nave was the place for the congregation, and was bordered by arcades or columns. Above the nave were clerestory windows and an open timber roof. Side aisles were largely for processions. One new feature was the transept, crossing arms between the nave and the apse, possibly used for meetings of the clergy. The steps in this fresco between the nave and the aisles and the nave and the apses are undocumented. Notice the lavish decorations throughout the church.
Exterior,
St. SABINA
Rome422-432
The typically plain exterior of the apse and right side of St. Sabina, probably the greatest parish church of the fifth century. Closely placed clerestory windows flood the nave with light. The building extension on the far left was a tenth century addition.
Detail,
COLUMNS AND ENTABLATURE
St. Lorenzo fuori le MuraRome570-590
The classical columns and pieced-together entablature come from ancient buildings. Reusing old materials is a common practice among Early Christian builders. Notice the pilaster on the far wall.
Exterior,
St. LORENZO
Milanc. 370
In the fourth century Milan was an Imperial capital and a spiritual center. St. Lorenzo is one of five large churches built during this time. A quatrefoil structure, it has a double-shell design that is based on the plans of second century and later Roman baths and palaces. There are four towers at the church corners and chapels off the outer shell. An atrium and propylaeum face the street.
Romanesque
WEST
FACADE
Corvey on the WeserGermany873-85
The early towering design on the west wall of Corvey, though heightened in the mid-twelfth century, became characteristic of the German Romanesque.
CRYPT
OF ST. GERMAIN
St. GermainAuxerre850-9
A major step in Carolingian Romanesque architecture and in religious architecture in general is the development of the interior space at the east end to include the apse, ambulatory, and radiating chapels. In its first stages it is called an apse chelon, later referred to as a chevet). This new arrangement allowed pilgrims to visit the tombs of a saint by moving around the apse without disturbing the services in the main church area. One of the earliest examples is in the abbey church of St. Germain. The decorative painting in the crypt is among the oldest to survive in France.
ABBEY
CHURCH OF NOTRE DAME Jumieges
1037-66
One of the most beautiful Norman churches is the surviving abbey church at Jumieges. The church's clarity of line and design is very apparent from the apse, which had an ambulatory without radiating chapels. At the crossing one of four arches remain, supporting the fragmentary two-stage lantern tower. The masonry is of ashlar blocks.
PISAN
BUILDING COMPLEX
1063-1350
One of the most famous building complexes in the world, the Pisan group consists of the cathedral, baptistery, belfry or campanile, and the Camposanto. The architectural forms are simple. Typical of Italian Romanesque, they all are faced with marble paneling, arcading, and colonnades. The buildings are highly ornamented.
READING STAND
Cosmati
San Lorenzo al Verano
Rome
First half of 13th century
A Cosmati masterpiece, this stand for the reading of the Gospel is simply designed but stunningly decorated.
THRONE OF CHARLEMAGNE
Palatine ChapelAachenc.800
The throne of Charlemagne is made of simple marble slabs, raised above the gallery floor on its own stepped platform. The throne's elegant but spare form contrasts with the rich surroundings in the imperial chapel.
THRONE
OF ARCHBISHOP URSO
Master Romuald
Cathedral, Canosa
1073-89
A carved bishop's throne is held up by beasts of burden. The main lines of the basically square shape are carved with a subtle and softening decorative pattern. The round finials also soften the finish, at the same time emphasizing this seat of authority.
THRONE
OF ARCHBISHOP ELIAS
S.Nicola
Bari
c.1098
Beasts, demons, and pagans are forced into the service of God. This throne, a variation on the last, is supported by three pagans and includes a footstool at its base.
Byzantine
Anthemios
and Isidorus
FACADE
Hagia Sophia
Constantinople
532-537
Anthemios, a mathemetician, and Isidorus, an Architect designed and built the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia belongs to the transitional type of the domed Basilica. Its most remarkable feature is the huge dome supported by four massive piers, each measuring approximately 300 square feet at the base. The thrust of the dome is countered by the two half-domes opening east and west, the smaller conchs of the bays at the four corners of the nave, and the massive outside buttresses to the north and south. The impressive huge dome rises about 205 feet above the floor has a diameter of about 110 feet.
CHAIR
OF MAXIMIAN
c. 547
Archiepiscopal Museum
Ravenna
Made entirely of ivory, the panels depict apostles and evangelists bordered by scrolling vines with grapes and various animals.