Architectural Precedents | Hagia Sophia | Briefing | Professor Ousterhout

Click images to enlarge.

Hagia Sophia | Architectural Precedents
Professor Robert Ousterhout

The Hagia Sophia was meant to be unique—and so it remained throughout Byzantine history. The plan combines two important trends in Early Christian architecture: (1) the insertion of a centralizing element into a longitudinally-planned basilica; (2) the centrally-planned church building, which has a longitudinal axis inserted for liturgical purposes.

Istanbul, St. John in the Stoudios (Imrahor Camii). Mid-5th century. This is the typical church plan of the eastern Mediterranean, with a relatively short nave and side aisles and narthex surmounted by galleries; perhaps no clerestory. Note the arrangement of the sanctuary.


Istanbul, St. John in the Studios, Plan Interior View. Typical of the basiclas in Constaninople, the proportions of the plan are squarish.		Istanbul, St. John in the Stoudios, Interior looking Northeast. This is the oldest surviving church in Constantinople. The columns are green marble (verde antico).

Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, Plan		Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, Interior View

Meriamlik (Turkey), so-called "Domed Basilica," late 5th century. Identical in most respects to St. John in the Stoudios, but with a centralizing element—a tower or a dome—constructed above the eastern part of the nave.


Meriamlik (Turkey), "Domed Basilica", Plan		Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, Plan

Istanbul, Sts. Sergius and Bacchus (Küçük Ayasofya Camii). 527-36. An innovative, centrally-planned building, constructed by Justinian as part of his residence prior to his accession to the throne. The immediate predecessor to Hagia Sophia. Compare its double-shell design to S. Lorenzo in Milan. Note longitudinal axis, with sanctuary bay and apse to the east; narthex to the west.


Istanbul, Sts. Sergius and Bacchus, Plan		Istanbul, Sts. Sergius and Bacchus, Interior view

hagia sophia main