DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29898#0467
Bk. I. Ch. II.
CHURCHES WITH STONE ROOFS.
431
tunnel-vaults have been introduced into several with effect. One such
is found at Hierapolis, on the borders of Phrygia (Woodcut No. 293).
It is divided by a bolcl range of piers into three aisles, the centre one
having a clear width of 45 ft. 6 in. The internal dimensions of the
church are 177 ft. by 115. There are three great piers in the length,
which carry bolcl transverse ribs so as to break the monotony of the
vault, ancl have between them secondary arches, to carry the galleries.
There is another church at the same place, the roof of which is of
a somewhat more complicated form. The internal length, 140 ft., is
divided into three by transverse arches; but its great peculiarity is
that the vault is cut into by semi-circular lunettes above the screen
295. Section of Churcli at Hierapolis. Scale 50 ft. to 1 in. Witli monogram found on its walls.
(From a Drawing by E. Falkener.)
side-walls, and through these the light is introcluced. This arrange-
ment will be understood from the section (Woodcut No. 295). Taken
altogether, there is probably no other church of its age ancl class in
which the vault is so pleasingly ancl artistically arrangecl, ancl in which
the mode of introducing the light is so judicious ancl effective.
The age of these two last churches is not very well ascertained.
They probably belong to the 5th, ancl are certainly not later than
the 6th, century ; but, before we can speak with certainty on the
subject, more examples must be brought to light and examined. From
our present knowledge it can harclly be cloubted that a sufficient
number clo exist to complete the chapter ; and it is to be hopecl they
will be published, since a history of vaults in the East, independent of
domes, is still a desideratum.
CHURCHES WITH STONE ROOFS.
431
tunnel-vaults have been introduced into several with effect. One such
is found at Hierapolis, on the borders of Phrygia (Woodcut No. 293).
It is divided by a bolcl range of piers into three aisles, the centre one
having a clear width of 45 ft. 6 in. The internal dimensions of the
church are 177 ft. by 115. There are three great piers in the length,
which carry bolcl transverse ribs so as to break the monotony of the
vault, ancl have between them secondary arches, to carry the galleries.
There is another church at the same place, the roof of which is of
a somewhat more complicated form. The internal length, 140 ft., is
divided into three by transverse arches; but its great peculiarity is
that the vault is cut into by semi-circular lunettes above the screen
295. Section of Churcli at Hierapolis. Scale 50 ft. to 1 in. Witli monogram found on its walls.
(From a Drawing by E. Falkener.)
side-walls, and through these the light is introcluced. This arrange-
ment will be understood from the section (Woodcut No. 295). Taken
altogether, there is probably no other church of its age ancl class in
which the vault is so pleasingly ancl artistically arrangecl, ancl in which
the mode of introducing the light is so judicious ancl effective.
The age of these two last churches is not very well ascertained.
They probably belong to the 5th, ancl are certainly not later than
the 6th, century ; but, before we can speak with certainty on the
subject, more examples must be brought to light and examined. From
our present knowledge it can harclly be cloubted that a sufficient
number clo exist to complete the chapter ; and it is to be hopecl they
will be published, since a history of vaults in the East, independent of
domes, is still a desideratum.