What is a basilica? What are the features of basilica architecture? Here is basilica definition and most famous basilica examples in the world…
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What is a Basilica?
The word basilica (Greek basilike) was first used for the building in the Athenian market place, where the chief judge, Basile, tried judicial cases. In the beginning, the old Roman public buildings with large roofs, which were located around the forum in ancient Roman cities, where courts were held and served other official functions, were called basilicas. Basilicas later became examples of basilica plan churches, also called churches with or without galleries, with side galleries in Early Christian and Medieval architecture.
Large oblong churches are called basilicas, with double colonnades and a semicircular apse.
Why and How Did Basilica Architecture Emerge?
The focus on urban life required the development of brand new building types in Roman architecture, indoor structures for public use. Administrative and judicial proceedings required large indoor spaces where judges handled cases, plaintiffs waited their turn, and the public could watch cases. Basilica architecture originally emerged to meet this need.
In ancient Roman cities, basilicas had an elongated rectangular plan placed adjacent to the forum. At one or both ends was a cylindrical apse designed for the judges to sit on. In the center of the semicircular apse was an altar, expressing the emperor’s spiritual presence. Because cases could only be heard in the symbolic presence of the emperor. Basilica Ulpia is one of the typical examples of ancient Roman basilica.
When Christianity was accepted as the official religion, the need for a building suitable for public worship arose, both functionally and symbolically. The ancient temple form did not have enough interior spaces to accommodate large masses. It was also filled with symbols of Pagan gods and Roman emperors. For this reason, basilicas, which were public structures that could accommodate large groups of people, were made suitable and started to be used for worship.
What is a Basilica Plan Church?
In Early Christian and Medieval architecture, churches with a central nave flanked by two narrower aisles on each side, separate by rows of columns were called basilica plan churches. At one end of the nave was a semi-circular apse, usually facing the direction of Jerusalem.
In the basilica plan, the unit of measure is usually the transept. Many Romanesque churches were founded on this principle. The dimensions of the transept square are sometimes found with small deviations in the dimensions of the choir, the arms of the transept, and the arches of the middle nave. The basilica plan type reached its peak in the gothic architecture period.
The interior of the basilica plan churches, which is a long rectangular structure, is divided into three naves by two rows of columns. The form of a basilica; it is in the form of a long and high corridor in the middle, and two lower corridors on either side. There is a half-round apse protruding at its eastern end. On the west side, there is an entrance hall called the narthex.
The top of the basilica plan churches is covered with a double sloping wooden roof covered with tiles. All later Christian churches were formed by the development of this plan. St. Nikalaos Church and Virgin Mary Basilica are important basilica examples.
- Transept: The area of a cruciform church lying at right angles to the principal axis.
- Apse: Most vaulted part, altar, in semicircular or polygonal shape, usually found at the ends of Roman basilicas or early Christian churches.
- Nave: Long central space illuminated by skylights in Roman basilica, long section in west arm illuminated by skylights in Christian church.
- Narthex: Long, narrow, enclosed porch, usually colonnaded or arcaded, crossing the entire width of a church at its entrance.
- Atrium: The area surrounded by a row of columns (open-topped courtyard with a portico) where the unbaptized wait during the ritual.
Basilica Types
The types of basilicas used in Byzantine architecture are:
Domed Basilica
The domed basilica is a type of basilica in which the middle nave is covered with a dome. Combining the basilica and the central plan type, Hagia Sophia is a domed basilica type work. Another example of a domed basilica is the Hagia Irene church, which is a Justinian period structure in Topkapı Palace.
Central Plan
Centrally plan churches were built in a square or polygonal plan. These structures, which were built to form a round main space, are covered with a dome that covers the entire structure. An example of a centrally plan church is the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, formerly known as Sergios Bacchos Church.
Greek Cross Plan
Greek cross plan type in the churches is seen in the churches built in Anatolia and Istanbul starting from the 8th century. In the cruciform, the middle nave is covered with a four-legged dome. On the four sides of the dome, there are equal spaces covered with cross-shaped vaults. As an example of cruciform basilicas; Kariye Mosque (Khora Monastery) and Atik Mustafa Pasha Mosque (Hagia Thekla Monastery) can be shown.
Pseudo Basilica
Pseudo basilica is the type of church that does not have a window that directly illuminates the middle nave. In these basilicas, there are middle and side naves and an entrance called the narthex. At the end, there is a round apse.
Don’t forget to read our article on Architectural History from prehistory to the present!
The World’s Most Famous Basilica Examples
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a domed basilica type structure and has an important place in the history of architecture with its dome passage and carrier system features. The interior of the building is divided into three naves with rows of columns and piers. The middle nave is covered with a large dome carried by four piers. On the east side of the middle nave is the apse, which is covered with a semi-dome.
Hagia Irene
The Hagia Irene church, a work of Justinian’s period, showing Byzantine architectural features, is also an example of a domed basilica. The ground floor of the church is a three-nave basilica, and the upper floor is built in the form of a closed Greek cross. The apse of the church is in the form of a semicircle from the inside and has three facades from the outside. Hagia Irene, one of the largest structures of its period, was covered with a semi-circular dome from the inside and a high rimmed dome from the outside. Next to the main dome, there is a second dome, which we can call a flat and flat vault, covering the narthex. Other places are covered with vaults.
St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest building and the largest church in Budapest. The church, which symbolizes the secularism of Hungary, is the tallest building in Budapest with a height of 96 meters. It was built in the neo renaissance style. It has the largest bell in the country, weighing 9.5 tons. The church, which used to serve as a cathedral, was converted into a basilica by the order of the pope.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s basilica was built outside the city walls at the top of the Vatican, adjacent to the ruins of the Nero hippodrome. It is big enough to compete with the Ulpia Basilica. The nave of the basilica is 92 m long. There are two side naves with a total width of 65.9 m on the sides. The nave has a shroud with many tall windows rising up to the 31.8 m high ceiling.
St. John Lateran Basilica
It was used as the main church of Rome. It is a large cathedral about 75 m long and 55 m wide. It has a capacity of several thousand people.
In this article, we answered the questions “What is basilica definition“, “What are the features of basilica architecture?” and shared the famous basilica examples from around the world. Don’t forget to visit our homepage to get information on different topics related to interior design and architecture. 🙂
