Byzantine Architecture

The Hagia Sophia is renown for being one of the first masterpieces of Byzantine architecture. This style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire during the fifth century A.D. and is characterized by large, domed roofs that sit on top of square bases. Originally built as a way of remembering Roman architecture, the Byzantine architectural style went on to influence Medieval architecture throughout Europe and the Near East, as well as the Renaissance and Ottoman architectural styles that followed the Byzantine Empire’s collapse. It eventually gave way to Carolingian, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture in the West, while exerting a profound influence on early Islamic architecture in the East. The majority of structures that follow this style were built for religious purposes. Besides the large, domed roofs, Byzantine architecture is characterized by geometric complexity, large, round arches, and intricate glass mosaics decorating buildings’ interiors. In addition to stone, brick and plaster were used for the decoration of important public structures, while thin sheets of alabaster were placed over windows to softly illuminate the interior of a building. In order to place the large domes on top of square buildings, a constructive device known as a pendentive was used. Pendentives are shaped like triangular sections of a sphere and work by distributing the weight of the dome into four corners where the force can be received by piers. Overall, the Byzantine Empire was able to build off of previous architectural styles and incorporate new, innovative techniques of their own to develop a beautiful architectural style that is still admired to this day.

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia#Upper_Gallery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_architecture

http://www.buffaloah.com/a/archsty/byz/

Islamic architecture plays a large part in a lot of our history that we do not realize. Using this type of architecture some of our first ever buildings were made, and still to this day are some of the strongest most well build pieces that we have had. Islamic architecture took a lot of hard work and time. Hagia Sophia influenced Islamic architecture because this basilica was made with tombs, arches, fountains which were elements in Islamic architecture. The Hagia Sophia was a model for this type of work. Although the Hagia Sophia is known for its divine Byzantine architecture, they all are very similar. From the domes in Hagia Sophia to the arches and fountains of Islamic architecture they all remember bits and pieces of one another and were often made of the same material because there were not a lot of different types of materials back in this day. Each type of architecture holds its own values and details. In Islamic architecture there is a very famous piece know as Dome of The Rocks located in Jerusalem. These Mosques had a large open court room, prayer wall, and many small open arches out from of them. Soon these mosques were built in many different styles and became the main structure of architecture style during this time. They took many years to build and once a few mosques were built everyone started doing it. Some incorporated the Islamic styles, and some Incorporated Sassanian architecture. Islamic architecture is also very well known for its use of gardens, and water. Paradise Garden is a very beautiful piece of Islamic architecture that shows the beauty of solid structure being fulfilled by water, which actually had many different religious meanings behind it.

Wikipedia. “Islamic Architecture.” Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2016.
Quatr. “History of Islamic Architecture.” N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2016.