Question

What is the typical plan of a Byzantine church with nine bays?

1) A large square bay with a dome in the center and smaller square corner bays with domes or vaults
2) A large rectangular bay with a dome in the center and smaller rectangular side bays with barrel vaults
3) A large square bay with a dome in the center and smaller rectangular side bays with barrel vaults
4) A large rectangular bay with a dome in the center and smaller square corner bays with domes or vaults

Answer 1

The typical Byzantine church with nine bays features a large central square bay with a dome and smaller square corner bays with domes or vaults, exemplifying the centrally planned design common in Byzantine architecture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The typical plan of a Byzantine church with nine bays is a large square bay with a dome in the center and smaller square corner bays with domes or vaults. This design reflects the Byzantine preference for centrally planned churches, which often featured a dominant central dome and secondary domes or vaults around the periphery. A prime example of this is the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. Unlike the longitudinally-oriented basilicas of the Western Roman Empire, Byzantine churches emphasized verticality and a centralized plan conducive to mystical and symbolic interpretations of the space.