by Mary Paliescheskey

Created on: July 09, 2011

Byzantine architecture is characterized by domes supported above polygonal bases, arches, interior decorations including glass mosaics, and plain exteriors. Each of the characteristic features has religious symbolism. During the fifth century, Byzantine architecture differentiated from its Roman roots. Major advancements in building technology allowed the creation of the floating central dome over a square building.

Domes

While monolithic domes were common in Roman architecture, they had to be supported by walls and columns directly under the circular dome. Byzantine designers invented a way to place a circular dome on a square building. Geometry and mathematics were required to create this dome. Four sections of intersecting triangles, pendentives, created the dome.The top of the four arches interlock to form a complete circle. The stability of this structure can support additional domes. Byzantine architects placed many domes on a single building resulting in a vast central dome. Examples of this architecture can be found in theHagia Sophia,Saint Mark’s Basilica,and Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus.

During this time, architects were experimenting with the form and shape of the dome. The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus was built upon using a base of eight. The Hagia Sophia is an archetypal example of this intricate collection of small semi-domes supporting the vast central dome. The central dome is known as the dome of heaven. The domes could be seen from both the inside and the outside of the structure.

Interior Decorations

Opulence and color greet the visitor. The design draws your eyes up to heaven. The walls and columns inside these structures are covered in thin layers of marble. The higher areas are covered in glass and tile mosaics. The contrast between the dull exterior and the richly decorated interior is deliberate. The color and beauty symbolize the redemption to be found through god. The size and grandeur was to humble the faithful. Light was filtered through openings carved into the dome. The fall of the light into the interior was muted or bright by design via the dome’s structure.

Mosaics

Color was extremely important in Byzantine art. Mosaics were preferred because paintings could fade and lose their impact. The glass mosaics not only retained their color, but could reflect the light filtering in from the dome. The mosaics depicting religious figures and themes were used on the large areas of the vaults and ceiling areas. Smaller walls would receive simpler motifs like crosses.

Exterior

While the interior of the churches in Byzantine architecture are intricately decorated, the exteriors are plain and austere. The only sign of the grandeur within is the rising of the domes above the building.

Learn more about this author, Mary Paliescheskey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.