Byzantine architecture was an eclectic architectural style. Its combination of the basilica and symmetrical central-plan (circular or polygonal) religious structures resulted in the characteristic Byzantine Greek-cross-plan church, with a square central mass and four arms of equal length. Byzantine architecture dramatically influenced the later medieval architecture throughout Europe and the Near East and became the primary progenitor of the Renaissance and Ottoman architectural traditions that followed its collapse.
Hagia Sophia
As the most famous example of Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia, officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, is a mosque and an essential cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally a Greek Orthodox church, the site has changed between being a mosque and a museum since the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
Saint Mark’s Basilica
The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, commonly known as St Mark’s Basilica, is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Patriarchate of Venice; it became the episcopal seat of the Patriarch of Venice in 1807, replacing the earlier cathedral of San Pietro di Castello.
Hosios Loukas Holy Monastery
Hosios Loukas is a historic walled monastery situated near the town of Distomo, in Boeotia, Greece. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art.
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) in Istanbul, Turkey, is an underground water reservoir built during the Byzantine Empire in 532 AD under Emperor Justinian I. It served as a water supply for the Great Palace and nearby structures, including Hagia Sophia.
Among its fascinating features are two column bases featuring Medusa heads, likely repurposed from earlier Roman structures. The exact reason for their use and orientation (one upside down, the other sideways) remains a mystery, adding to their allure. Some suggest it was to neutralize Medusa’s mythical power, while others believe it was a practical decision. These Medusa heads are iconic symbols of the Basilica Cistern, captivating visitors for centuries.
Basilica of San Vitale
The Basilica of San Vitale is a late antique church in Ravenna, Italy. The 6th-century church is an important surviving example of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture.
Chora Church
The Chora Church or Chora Mosque, full former name the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, is a medieval Greek Orthodox church building, since 2020 used as a mosque, in the Edirnekapı neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. It is mainly famous for its outstanding Late Byzantine mosaics and frescos.
Phanar Greek Orthodox College
The Phanar Greek Orthodox College, located in the Fener neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions for the Greek Orthodox community. Founded in 1454, shortly after the fall of Constantinople, it is often referred to as the “Great School of the Nation.” The college is renowned for its striking red-brick building, constructed in 1881, which is an architectural landmark of the area.
Serving as a symbol of the Greek Orthodox heritage in Istanbul, the school has played a significant role in preserving Greek culture, language, and education for centuries. It provides both secondary and high school education, with a curriculum that includes modern and classical Greek, as well as Turkish.
Phanar Greek Orthodox College remains a vital part of Istanbul’s multicultural history, reflecting the city’s rich traditions of religious and cultural coexistence.
