6. Early Christian Architecture

Early Christian Basilica

place for christian worship and erected oever the burial place of a saint

Openings

high clerestory windows spanning across through semi circular arches

Walls

made of rubble or concrete faced with plaster, brick or stone

Roof

employed simple king and queen post trusses

Columns

were designed from old roman buildings

Ornaments

colorful mosaic patterns

Atrium

open forecourt surrounded by arcades.

Narthex

porch in the church • used by penitents

Nave

seating area for the worshippers

Aisles

located on both sides of the nave.

Cancelli / Chancel

low screen wall enclosing the choir.

Ambo / Pulpit

place where the priest reads the gospel and delivers the homily.

Transept

side projections of the church.

Bema

raised platform on the altar.

Altar

place where the priest officiates the mass.

Baldachino

erected on columns over the altar.

Apse

is a circular termination of the church

Baptisteries

are separate buildings from the church used only for the sacrament of baptism during Easter, Pentecost and Epiphany

Baptistery of Constantine, Rome

built by Pope Sixtus III • was among the oldest of Italian Baptisteries

Baptistery of Sta. Maria Maggiore, Nocera

houses the 2nd largest baptismal font in Italy

Tombs

an expression of faith in immortality and memorial to the dead

Tomb of Galla Placidia

built for the daughter of Emperor Theodosius with beautiful intricate mosaics

Mausoleum of Santa Costanza

built by Constantine for his daughter Constantia

Catacombs

networks of subterranean chambers for burial purposes of the early Christians.

Loculi

recesses where corpses are placed

Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Rome

largest of the catacombs stretching for over 19 km., covering 15 hectares and a depth of 20 m. • first official underground cemetery of the Church of Rome

Catacombs of Priscilla, Rome

called the “Queen of the Catacombs” because popes and a great number of martyrs were buried within

Old Basilican Church of St. Peter, Rome

begun by Constantine over the site of the Circus of Nero where martyrdom of Christians took place, including St. Peter

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, Palestine

begun in 327 AD by Constantine and his mother, St. Helen, over the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

stands on a site that encompasses both Golgotha and Calvary, where Jesus was crucified and entombed.

St. Apollinaire In Classe, Ravenna

exceptional mosaics and marble sarcophagi.

Santo Stefano Rotondo

first and largest circular church in existence