Architecture of Byzantium - magnificence in reality

The history of Byzantine architecture passed three periods, namely the early period - from the 5th to the 8th centuries, the middle one - from the 8th to the 13th centuries and the late one - to the 15th century, respectively. The period of the highest flowering is attributed to the middle of the 6th century - by the time of the reign of Emperor Justinian.

The architecture of Byzantium as a whole is characterized by the synthesis of ancient and oriental traditions. She constantly strove to surpass Rome in its grandeur and luxury, so she collected the best and talented masters. The transition from the ancient period to the times of the Middle Ages was marked by significant changes in the fundamental foundations of architecture and culture in general. The anthropocentrism is replaced by theocentrism, turning all the art directions into deeply religious servants of the church.

The architecture of Byzantium is represented mainly by structures that emphasized the power of state power and the church: palaces, triumphal arches, temples.

The most important achievement of Byzantine architecture is the cross-domed churches. In the arena of high art in this period, there are compositions of monasteries, which are obsolete in a special type of structures.

By inheritance from Rome to Byzantium passed arched-vaulted structures, but the concrete technique did not take root, it was replaced by stone and brick. The architectural structures were not overloaded with decorative elements. The walls, as a rule, decorated with frescoes, mosaic painting or marble slabs. Quite popular were arcades - rows of identical arches, supported by columns, which were executed smooth and monolithic with massive capitals. Due to the many arched openings in the dome, the effect of a sun-drifting voyage over the temple was created.

The architecture of Byzantium is rich in buildings that are characterized by luxury and richness in the interior, which due to their vastness and vast space do not put pressure on a person.

The most striking and outstanding example of arched-vaulted architectural structures is the Sofia Cathedral of Constantinople. This dome basilica was built by famous Greek architects Isidore and Anfimi in the 30s of the 6th century.

This building is considered a model of architecture for future generations, and largely influenced the further development of not only Byzantine, but also world architecture.
The greatness of the divine beginning in this temple is embodied by a giant dome, white marble columns and magnificent wall mosaics.

The architecture of Byzantium showed a change in religious views. Henceforth, the temple was not just a place for storing divine statues, but turned into a meeting place and prayers of believers, for which the basilicas, which were used by the Romans as buildings for court sessions, were ideally suited. The interior of the temple has become much more important than the exterior.
Monumental structures were mainly erected from a brick, which was fastened with mortar. For the vaults, glass mosaic was used, and for marble and flooring. A characteristic feature of the temples of Byzantine architecture was the erection of a dome to cover the arch. The dome was used in Rome, but it was located on a circular building, and the Byzantines for the first time connected a square or rectangular form of construction with a round element. The shape of the first domes was more flat than during the heyday of Byzantine temple construction.

The Byzantine style in architecture greatly influenced the schools of architecture of many countries. His imprint can be traced in the temples of Sicily, Venice, Germany and France. Almost completely it was adopted by Russia, Georgia, Serbia, Armenia, based on its architectural traditions.

Byzantine architecture absorbed a very contradictory directions and trends, which made it a very complex and magnificent art. Here the abstract oriental motifs intertwine with new artistic forms and achievements, all this has lain on the canvas of architectural technologies, which was laid by the architecture of Rome.