EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE: ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS AND WORKS - ART - 2025

The early Christian architecture refers to all structures built by Christians since the rise of Christianity until around the fifth century From the year 550 all Christian art is regarded as Byzantine art, as it was this kind of art which evolved. However, he always kept his original influences.

During the early years of Christianity, Christian buildings were not common, since the religion was not seen favorably during its beginnings. After the following of Christianity was openly allowed and the Roman Empire made the practice of this religion official in its lands, early Christian architecture really began.

This architectural style developed its own distinctive style and the creation of smaller churches and basilicas is considered to be one of the most significant events for the religion. Christian art developed in conjunction with its architecture; in many cases, the paintings usually adorned religious buildings.

Origin

During the course of the fourth century, Christianity was in one of the greatest stages of growth in its history. By this time, the Roman Empire (one of the most powerful empires in the world) had already adopted Christianity and its practice was not illegal, as it was for more than two centuries.

This caused large crowds of people to gather in public spaces to share the word of Christ. This event presented a problem: it was necessary to build new structures to group the followers of the Christian faith.

By that time, the Roman Empire had a large number of temples belonging to other pagan religions. These temples did not want to be adopted by the Christians, since their architecture was simply not suitable for them.

However, during the tenure of Emperor Constantine I the decision was made to use a particular type of structure already known to Roman architects to serve as secular centers. This type of building was the basilica.

The new use of the basilica as a Christian building made these structures the main Christian buildings for several centuries. Its style varied depending on the region of the Empire where it was built.

characteristics

Design and build

The Christian basilicas, being the first architectural element developed by the followers of this religion, better presented the design characteristics of this art. These basilicas originally had a great diversity of designs. In almost all of these designs there was a rectangular hallway.

This corridor was accompanied by other forms in the structure, which evolved as the smaller churches began to replace the basilicas as the primary buildings of Christianity. At the opposite end of the entrance to the basilicas an apse used to be placed.

In front of the apse it was customary to place the altar, so that it would be elevated with respect to the position of the people within the structure. This type of design was very common in basilicas used by Christianity, but the design was different in basilicas used with political functions.

Importance of basilicas and temples

Temples in ancient times had a design that was intended to carry out rituals within these structures. These temples were used by other pagan religions, which used to make sacrifices to offer to the gods.

However, the temples played a fundamental role in the adaptation of Christianity. Christians began to use basilicas to profess their faith, but in many cases they also used common houses.

Given the lack of religious structures, early Christian architecture was adapted so that common houses were modified to resemble a cult center. In some cities - like Dura-Europos in Syria - some houses were modified to be able to receive Christian congregations.

This led to the subsequent creation of smaller churches, with a smaller scale design than the basilicas. These became even more popular during the Byzantine period.

Flat exteriors

One of the main characteristics of early Christian art was that the first buildings did not present a great deal of detail on the outside. That is, the exteriors were flat in design, while the largest amount of details were represented inside the churches and basilicas.

This is mainly because, in its early days, Christianity was not very well regarded. The architects took care not to attract people's attention with discreet designs on the outside of the buildings.

Greco-Roman influences

The Romans seized the power of the Greek peninsula after the Battle of Corinth, in the year 146 BC. This event had a great cultural influence on the Roman Empire.

Many of the Greek buildings had quite striking architecture, which was adopted by the Romans. In particular, Greek columns became a fundamental part of architecture in Rome.

These influences were also inherited by early Christian architecture. As the Roman Empire was the first great civilization to open its arms to Christianity (after the signing of the Edict of Milan in 314 AD), it was there that the first Christian structures began to be built.

The presence of Christianity in the Roman Empire caused its very architectural style to be adapted to Christian beliefs. Christianity was associated with the Romans for several centuries and its influences are marked throughout the history of the art of religion, beyond early Christian architecture.

Representative works

Old St. Peter's Basilica

This building was a great basilica that was in the same place where the current St. Peter's Basilica is today. It was built during the mandate of Constantine I where the Cirque de Nero was formerly located.

Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor

This basilica was built on an ancient pagan temple in the middle of the 4th century. According to legend, this basilica was built after the Virgin Mary appeared to the pope, asking that this construction be built.

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

This basilica is considered the most important of the four great basilicas located in Rome. It receives the name of Archbasilica thanks to its enormous size and is considered the main church of Roman Christianity.

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Italy

References

1. Early Christian Architecture, University of Pittsburgh, (nd). Taken from pitt.edu
2. Early Christian Architecture, Classic History, (nd). Taken from classichistory.net
3. Western Architecture - Roman and Early Christian, Encyclopaedia Britannica, (nd). Taken from Britannica.com
4. Early Christian Architecture & Architecture After Constantine, A. Farber, 2018. Taken from smarthistory.org
5. Early Christian Architeture, Wikipedia in English, 2018. Taken from wikipedia.org
6. Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome Official Website, (nd). Taken from rome.net
7. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome Official Website, (nd). Taken from rome.net
8. Old St. Peter's Basilica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, (nd). Taken from Britannica.com