Early Christian and Byzantine architecture
First Christians in Italy had to practice their religion in underground catacombs carved into solid rock. The most famous are the catacombs in Rome, but other impressive ensembles can be seen in Naples and Syracuse. When Christianity was legalized and recognized as the official religion of the Roman Empire, its architecture, as you might expect, it relied directly on secular imperial models, specifically, churches took the form of a basilica. They were usually erected on the graves of martyrs, which were located in the crypt under the main altar. In time, all churches were oriented eastwards, but early structures very often face the exact opposite direction. Inside, columns from demolished secular buildings were often placed.
In Rome itself, by far the best-preserved church from this era is Santa Sabina from the 5th century. Its shape is characterized by a strict simplicity - brick walls are only enlivened by huge window openings. In the interior, there is a tendency towards the regularity of the columns. The largest contemporary basilicas. Santa Maria Maggiore i San Paolo fuori le Mura, have been rebuilt many times over the centuries, but the variety of plans for the basilicas is still clearly visible. In a conscious effort to recreate the shape of the Cross, transepts were introduced; except Santa Maria Maggiore. two pairs of aisles were also used. Saint John in Lateran also comes from this period, where it performs for the first time - favorite by Italians - separate, octagonal baptistery.
The simple basilica style dominated the city for several centuries and there is little difference between Sant'Agnese from the 7th century and Santa Maria in Cosmedin from the 9th century, or San Clemente from the 12th century, although the latter is unusually archaic.
Other important buildings come from Ravenna, where the capital of the empire moved. Understandably, they are more famous for their magnificent mosaics decorating the interior, but their architectural significance is also important, marking the beginning of the Byzantine style in Italy, whose distinguishing feature was the development of the form of the dome. For the Romans, it had to be supported on a circular base; thanks to the use of sails. Byzantines were able to construct domes on a square plan. A good example of this solution is the oldest preserved monument in Ravenna, the mausoleum of Gallus Placid, derived from approx 430 year. The church of San Vitale is also a great achievement. ingenious octagon construction in octagon. The other churches here have the form of a basilica; an interesting fact is. that the apse is semicircular inside, but outwardly polygonal. Cylindrical campaniles were introduced later, presumably in the ninth century. These are the oldest free-standing bell towers - since then commonly accompanying Italian churches - that have survived, but the idea was first applied in Rome.
The cleanest stylish Byzantine buildings in Italy are found in the Venetian Lagoon, whose prosperity was based on trade with the East. Department of Torcello. erected in the 7th century, but in the 11th century it was thoroughly rebuilt, it is the oldest monument of this type; Santa Fosca on the same island is kept in the same style. The most beautiful Byzantine building in Italy, however, is the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. And it was significantly rebuilt in the 11th century, but the basic layout of the 9th-century church modeled on the church of St.. Of the Apostles in Constantinople. With its five onion domes, the plan of the Greek cross and the rich mosaic decoration, the church is the most outstanding Byzantine monument of its time.