kimerajamm
Joined: 28 Nov 2010
Posts: 785
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:54 am Post subject: the semicircular apse[ |
 |
|
The rectangular narthex constitutes the middle part of the building, between the atrium and the cella, and serves as the lobby of the church. It lies directly east of the atrium, through a wide gate flanked by a couple of high circular turrets.[16][43][53] Mavrodinov likens the narthex of the Round Church to similar structures in the churches of Mount Athos, because of its depth.[26]
Together with the north and south wall, the entrance of the narthex effectively isolates two smaller parts of the atrium, similar in plan[16] and accessible through doors. The north part includes a small necropolis, while the south part was probably a baptistery, as it features a square installation with a clay pipe that resembles a baptismal font. However, Nikolova considers its shape much too unusual and its depth unsuitable for baptism, and believes it may instead have been designed as a vessel for dispensing holy water.[54]
Measuring 5 × 9.50 m (16 × 31.17 ft), the narthex is the part of the Round Church which has survived in best shape, as some of its walls reach 3 m (9.8 ft). Its two turrets have a diameter of 3.20 m (10.5 ft); each has an entrance facing the interior of the narthex and three windows. The higher reaches of the towers were reached via spiral stairways, archaeological remains of which have been unearthed in the north turret. There are two pairs of columns inside the narthex,[16] supporting its second floor, which is accessible from the north tower.[43][53] The columns divide the narthex into three naves and mark the way from the narthex entrance to the gates of the rotunda.[26][55]
[edit] Rotunda
The round cella is the easternmost and most important part of the church, as it was where the liturgy was performed. The diameter of the rotunda is 10.50 m (34.4 ft).[19][38] It is accessed through three gates, all from the narthex.[16][55] It was entirely covered by a dome.[19][44] Twelve vaults, semicircular as seen from the inside and pentagonal on the outer wall, were constructed north and south of the rotunda's eastern part, the apse, which itself fits into one of the vaults.[43][53] Large buttresses reinforce the structure both inside and outside. A circle of ten[55] or twelve[26][43][53] white marble[53] columns was inscribed inside the rotunda, 0.55 m (1.8 ft) from the interior buttresses. The capitals of the columns are similar to those of the royal palace in Preslav.[26] A copper-plated wooden coffin lay in a burial chamber by one of the vaults near the apse.[55]
The semicircular apse[38] fits naturally with the other vaults of the rotunda despite being larger,[16] and features vaults on its north and south walls. The marble ambon was situated in the middle of the circle of columns and of the whole rotunda, directly under the dome's centre,[16][38][56] as evidenced by a mortar padding. Stairs from the east and west, aligned with the apse, used to lead up to the ambon. The bishop's throne or cathedra probably lay near one of the south vaults, which was likely enlarged for the purpose.[55]Stevia Tabs
neuro linguistic |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
