EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Constantine I

Was Roman emperor from 306 to 337.He was the First Roman emperor to profess Christianity. He changed the capital of the Empire from Rome to Byzantium in AD 324.

Basilica

The early churches were generally simple and functional in their design. An early Christian church, characterized by 2 long, rectangular plan, a high colonnaded nave lit by 3 clerestory and covered by a timbered gable roof.

San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome

A typical example of the early Christian church is S. Giovanni in Laterano Rome. It was the first church commission by Emperor Constantine. It was built as the Cathedral of the. Bishop of Rome.

Basilica Di San Clemente Al Laterano

is a Latin Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Pope Clement located in Rome, Italy. It is a three-tiered complex of buildings: but remnants of Roman houses. (500-27 BCE) have been found 20metres below this church.

Basilica Di Sant’ Apollinare in Classe

In 1996 it was inscribed with seven other nearby monuments in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Outstanding example of the early Christian Basilica in its purity and simplicity.

Apse

It is the sanctuary.

Bema

Stage for Clergy.

Altar

Under the baldacchino.

Nave

Central aisle.

Atrium

Forecourt

Narthex

For the penitents.

Choir

Enclosed by acancelli.

Ambo

Pulpit

Baptistery

A space, area or separate building of a church or cathedral, containing a font where baptism takes place. Octagonal structure having fine mosaics representing the baptism of Christ.

Major Basilica

Highest-ranking Roman Catholic churches; Papal basilicas.

Latin Cross

Old Church of St. Peter at Rome was built in the shape of ________.

Atrium

Known as Garden of Paradise