Byzantine Revival architecture

The neo-Byzantine architecture style ties to the Byzantine architecture and is classified in the time between the end of the 18th and beginning of the 20th century. The neo-Byzantine style influenced the look of many churches, monasteries, government and other public buildings in Eastern Europe and Russia. But church building of the Western historicism are called Neobyzantinisch who use the Byzantine forms.

Origin

The neo-Byzantine style blends elements of traditional Byzantine art with elements of Christian architectural style of Eastern Europe, which dates back to the 5th century AD.

The neo-Byzantine style developed in Eastern Europe and Russia. One of the greatest exponents of this style of architecture was certainly Konstantin Thon. In his work he used also neo-classical and traditional Russian styles. Structures of the Neo-Byzantine style are the New Athos Monastery Novy Afon (Georgian: ახალი ათონი / Akhali Atoni ) in Sukhumi, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Kronstadt ( part of St. Petersburg), the Volodymyr of Kyiv and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia.

A typical representative of the Western Neobyzantinismus was the Frenchman Pierre Bossan.

Features

The neo-Byzantine style, is dominated just like the classic Byzantine style, from arches, vaults and domes. Walls were made of clay bricks or stucco, floors were often covered with mosaic.