Byzantine Architecture

Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine empire. That empire emerged in AD 330 when Constantine moved the capital of the Roman empire to Byzantium, which was later renamed Constantinople and is now Istanbul.

Early Byzantine architecture is essentially a continuation of Roman architecture. Examples include the walls of Byzantium and Yerebatan Saray. A frieze in the Ortrogothic palace in Ravenna (now S Apollinare Nuovo) depicts an early Byzantine palace.

Gradually, a style emerged which was influence more by the architecture of the near east, and used the Greek cross plan for the church architecture which mostly stands today. Brick replaced stone, classical orders were used more freely, mosaics replaced carved decoration, and complex domes were erected.

Ultimately, Byzantine architecture in Italy gave way to the Romanesque and Gothic architecture, while in the east it informed early Islamic architecture.

Neo-Byzantine architecture had a small following in the wake of the Neo-Gothic of the nineteenth century.

Great works of Byzantine architecture include:

In modern day Egypt

St Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai

In modern day Greece

Nea Moni Katholikon, Chios

Brontocheion monastery, Mistra

Monasteries of Mount Athos

In modern day Israel

Dome of the Rock

In modern day Italy

Palace of the Exarch, Ravenna

San Marco di Venezia

Torcello Cathedral, Venice

S Miniato, Florence

Baptistry, Florence

S Vitale, Ravenna

In modern day Syria

Great mosque, Damascus

In modern day Turkey

Elmsli Kilise, Cappadocia

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

In modern day Ukraine

St. Sophia, Kiev