What is Byzantine architecture?

Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine era is usually lasted from 330 AD, until Constantinople fell in 1453. Byzantine architecture is stylistically and structurally indistinguishable from earlier Roman architecture and this terminology was introduced by modern historians to designate the medieval Roman Empire as it evolved as a distinct artistic and cultural entity centered on the new capital of Constantinople. The architecture during this time really dramatically influences the later medieval architecture throughout Europe and the Near East, and became the primary progenitor of the Renaissance and Ottoman architectural traditions that followed after the empire fell.

What are its’ influences?

Eastern Orthodox art and iconography are found throughout all Byzantine Churches. Most of the decorations within the churches within the empire were completed between 1315 and 1321. During this time the Eastern Orthodox religion had really begun to spread throughout Europe. The art of the Eastern Christians was drastically different than the more rich and decadent art of the Latin Christians in the West. The image above shows an example of the Christian aspect within the churches in the Byzantine Empire.

In many buildings, columns were very important in the development of Byzantine architecture. The columns are all from the original three types of Greek Columns; doric, ionic, and corinthian columns.

What are some major characteristics in Byzantine structures?

Round arches were important features in Byzantine architecture. Round arches were also the main defining characteristic of the Romanesque Style which was heavily influenced by Byzantine works of architecture. In the image above we see the exterior of the Basilica of San Vitale which has round arch windows and buttresses. The Byzantines used round arches to create the vast majority of the openings in their buildings and still used round arches long after much of Europe had adopted the pointed Gothic arch.

Mosaics illustrated religious scenes and important historical figures which would be implemented in the churches within the empire. Byzantine Mosaics decorated the walls and ceilings of many different churches from this time period and one of the largest collections of these mosaics are located at the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople or present day Istanbul.