Early Christian Architecture
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 20 October 2023
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The term Early Christian Architecture relates to the buildings constructed after the Edict of Milan in 313 by which the Christian faith could be officially practiced for the first time. Also known as Paleochristian Architecture, the prefix paleo translating as "early" in English, the structures were the first examples of Christian churches in Italy along with baptisteries and mausoleums.
Once the Christian faith was officially tolerated, there was a desire to create larger and permanent places of worship. Most of the early Christian churches followed the construction style of the Roman basilica which had hitherto been used solely for secular purposes: these were known as Constaninian Basilicas. |
Arian Baptistery, Ravenna
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Related links
Early Christian Architecture in brief
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Time period:
4th - 6th century AD Influences: Ancient Roman Architecture, Italian Byzantine Architecture Characteristics: Basilica construction |
Famous buildings in Italy:
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Lateran Baptistery Materials: Brick, marble, stucco Building types: Churches, baptisteries, mausoleums |
Time period
Certainly in terms of Italy, it wasn't until the Edict of Milan in 313 AD that the Christian faith was officially tolerated and as such, no permanent places of worship, at least not on a grand scale, were built until that time. Once it was safe to follow Christianity, the faithful were able to build their places of worship and it is from this period that we find the first churches and baptisteries in Italy.
Most of the early churches have since undergone significant restoration to the point that they can no longer be classed as Early Christian, or in other cases, completely knocked down and rebuilt. Fitting that second category is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome which was originally founded in 324 AD but completely rebuilt in the 14th century and renovated numerous times over in diverse architectural styles.
In terms of being able to witness genuine Early Christian Architecture in Italy, the best examples can be found in some of the free-standing baptisteries that have changed relatively little in the intervening years. The likes of Albenga Baptistery in Liguria or the unique Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte in Campania provide a much clearer understanding of the architectural style with what we can still see today.
Certainly in terms of Italy, it wasn't until the Edict of Milan in 313 AD that the Christian faith was officially tolerated and as such, no permanent places of worship, at least not on a grand scale, were built until that time. Once it was safe to follow Christianity, the faithful were able to build their places of worship and it is from this period that we find the first churches and baptisteries in Italy.
Most of the early churches have since undergone significant restoration to the point that they can no longer be classed as Early Christian, or in other cases, completely knocked down and rebuilt. Fitting that second category is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome which was originally founded in 324 AD but completely rebuilt in the 14th century and renovated numerous times over in diverse architectural styles.
In terms of being able to witness genuine Early Christian Architecture in Italy, the best examples can be found in some of the free-standing baptisteries that have changed relatively little in the intervening years. The likes of Albenga Baptistery in Liguria or the unique Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte in Campania provide a much clearer understanding of the architectural style with what we can still see today.
Influences
The study of Early Christian architecture can be confusing at times because it crosses over to a large degree with Byzantine architecture and differs very little from Ancient Roman architecture which in many ways relates more to a period of time than an architectural style.
This paradox is illustrated perfectly in the city of Ravenna in Emilia Romagna where the UNESCO World Heritage inscription "Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna" can be found. Within those eight sites there are churches, baptisteries and mausoleums which were some of the earliest examples of Christian architecture yet built and decorated in the Byzantine style, distinctive in particular by their detailed mosaic work.
The study of Early Christian architecture can be confusing at times because it crosses over to a large degree with Byzantine architecture and differs very little from Ancient Roman architecture which in many ways relates more to a period of time than an architectural style.
This paradox is illustrated perfectly in the city of Ravenna in Emilia Romagna where the UNESCO World Heritage inscription "Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna" can be found. Within those eight sites there are churches, baptisteries and mausoleums which were some of the earliest examples of Christian architecture yet built and decorated in the Byzantine style, distinctive in particular by their detailed mosaic work.
Characteristics
The typical Early Christian churches were built along the same lines as the hitherto secular basilicas. The word basilica now has a distinctly religious ring to it as so many Italian churches carry that title which is bestowed by the Holy See on the most important structures. During the age of Ancient Roman architecture, the basilica was not a place of worship but a municipal facility used for large gatherings such as court hearings. It took the form of a rectangular base with two lines of columns supporting the main roof which was elevated in the central section with the lower roof covering the aisles on either side and linked by a clerestory allowing for light to penetrate from above.
The typical Early Christian churches were built along the same lines as the hitherto secular basilicas. The word basilica now has a distinctly religious ring to it as so many Italian churches carry that title which is bestowed by the Holy See on the most important structures. During the age of Ancient Roman architecture, the basilica was not a place of worship but a municipal facility used for large gatherings such as court hearings. It took the form of a rectangular base with two lines of columns supporting the main roof which was elevated in the central section with the lower roof covering the aisles on either side and linked by a clerestory allowing for light to penetrate from above.
Famous Early Christian buildings in Italy
There are few, if any Early Christian churches in Italy that still retain their original appearance although traces do exist at the likes of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome or the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio in Milan. The purest examples of Early Christian Architecture still standing in Italy are the oldest baptisteries such as those in Albenga and Ravenna. The city of Ravenna provides the best overall snapshot of the architectural style in Italy with its eight sites belonging to the UNESCO world heritage inscription.
Campania
Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte
Liguria
Albenga Baptistery
Ravenna (Emilia Romagna)
Arian Baptistery
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Basilica di San Vitale
Archiepiscopal Chapel
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Mausoleum of Theodoric
Neonian Baptistery of Ravenna
Rome
Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo
Lateran Baptistery (Baroque interior)
Umbria
Tempietto del Clitunno
There are few, if any Early Christian churches in Italy that still retain their original appearance although traces do exist at the likes of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome or the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio in Milan. The purest examples of Early Christian Architecture still standing in Italy are the oldest baptisteries such as those in Albenga and Ravenna. The city of Ravenna provides the best overall snapshot of the architectural style in Italy with its eight sites belonging to the UNESCO world heritage inscription.
Campania
Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte
Liguria
Albenga Baptistery
Ravenna (Emilia Romagna)
Arian Baptistery
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Basilica di San Vitale
Archiepiscopal Chapel
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Mausoleum of Theodoric
Neonian Baptistery of Ravenna
Rome
Basilica di Santo Stefano Rotondo
Lateran Baptistery (Baroque interior)
Umbria
Tempietto del Clitunno
