Byzantine architecture in western architecture

Byzantine architecture is characterized by a small difference between the horizontal and vertical lengths of the cross, and a large dome at the intersection. The dome is on a square plane. It is a great contribution to the development of European architecture to build a covered dome and put the weight on four independent pillars. Hagia Sophia is a typical Byzantine building. Its foundation is rectangular like a Roman building, but the roof of the central part is composed of a huge circular vault and a semi-circular vault at the front and back.

In terms of architecture and interior decoration, the earliest achievement was in the Christian Church, which initially followed the basilica style. But in the 5th century, they created a new architectural form, that is, centralized form. The characteristic of this shape is that the dome is supported by four or more independent columns, and the sail arch is used as the middle connection. At the same time, groups of domes can be gathered together to form a broad and diverse new spatial image. Compared with the vaults of ancient Rome, this is a great progress.