The Basilicas of Ethiopia: An Architectural History

by Mario di Salvo

Overview

The basilica is symbolic of the history of Christianity in Ethiopia. Aizan, the first Christian king of the Aksumite empire was responsible for the creation of the large, five-aisled church of M?ry?m ??yon, sadly destroyed in 1535, and since then many hundreds of basilicas have been built in Ethiopia, many, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela, literally 'hewn from the rock'. In this book, architectural historian and architect Mario di Salvo considers the unique architectural features of Ethiopia's basilicas and explains how they developed over time. Featuring almost 200 colour illustrations, this book is an attractive and comprehensive guide to some of Ethiopia's most inspiring religious buildings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781838609313
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	11/23/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	124 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Mario Di Salvo is an architect and Director of the Fondation Carlo Leone et Mariena Montandon. He is the author of a number of publications on different forms of artistic expression, especially in the field of architecture and the figurative arts. His previous books include Churches of Ethiopia: The Monastery of Narga Sellase and Crosses of Ethiopia: The Sign of Faith - Evolution and Form. Carolyn Gossage is an author and historian. She has previously written books on Ethiopian icons and crosses.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Professor Michael Gervers
Introduction: The Structural Characteristics of Christian Basilicas

Part I - The Ruins of the Ancient Aksumite Basilicas (4th-7th c.)

Part II - The Architecture of Ethiopia's 8th-12th century (post-Aksumite) Basilicas
Modified/Edified Basilicas
Subterranean /Hypogeal Basilicas
Semi-monolithic Basilicas
Later Basilicas

Part III - The Architecture of the Medieval Basilicas of Ethiopia
Basilicas constructed in Caves
Monolithic Basilicas in Lalibela
The Last Ethiopian Basilicas

GLOSSARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY