DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45598#0017
il-Anderin (Androna,)
55
piers are both preserved beside the apse. In like manner the piers and arch of the
entrance to the prothesis are obtainable. The side chambers were both in two stories,
making tower-like structures at the east end of the church. The side entrance to the
prothesis and one of the windows of the ground story are shown in Ill. 47. The side
walls of the nave are preserved to the height shown in the section (Ill. 45) though
they are buried in debris. The jambs of three portals are standing 1.40 m. higher
still, and give the height of the sill level of the aisle windows; for in all these churches
the top line of the portal openings is the bottom line of the window openings. The
size of the aisle windows is taken from the extant window in the southwest tower, and
the windows of the clearstory are made of equal dimensions, as they are found to be
in the preserved churches to the northwest. The height of the western tower is, of
course, entirely a matter of conjecture, yet Ill. 41 shows the ruined wall rising con-
siderably above the lower story. The methods of construction employed here are well
illustrated in the photographs.' The ma¬
sonry was the best afforded in this basalt
region. The lower courses of the walls
are quadrated, the lintels and jambs of
portals are of well cut stone in large blocks,
the piers and the greater arches were
all well built and beautifully dressed;
but the upper part of the walls, all
spandrils and filling were built in the
manner most characteristic of the region,
in which wedges and truncated cones
are laid in mortar, showing squared faces
on both sides, and this kind of masonry
has not lasted as well as the quadrated
stone-work has. The smaller arches
were made of small wedges (Ill. 47).
It will be noticed (Ill. 46) that the half¬
dome of the apse was built of brick.
These bricks are of the same quality
as those employed in the barracks and
may serve to give an approximate date
to the church. This massive half-dome,
protruding between the east walls of the
side chambers was reinforced by a bridge¬
work connecting with the side chambers
and weighted
and is shown
in ornamental
the ornament
the scale was
excessively slender supports, must have made one of the most spacious, open and airy
interiors in all Syria. Then it is to be remembered that all the interior surfaces were
treated with plaster and colour, and it may well have been that the half dome,
above with rubble. A
in Ill. 48.
features.
of the portals is of the simplest kind. But the proportions were fine,
imposing, the broad and lofty arches of the main arcades, carried on
Ill. 48. Cathedral of Androna.
Angle between exterior curve of Apse and the Prothesis.
remnant of this construction is still preserved,
The ruins would indicate that this church was rather poor
The mouldings of the interior are good, but very plain, and
Publications of the Princeton University Archaeological Expedition to Syria, Div. II, Sec. B., Pt. 2.
8
55
piers are both preserved beside the apse. In like manner the piers and arch of the
entrance to the prothesis are obtainable. The side chambers were both in two stories,
making tower-like structures at the east end of the church. The side entrance to the
prothesis and one of the windows of the ground story are shown in Ill. 47. The side
walls of the nave are preserved to the height shown in the section (Ill. 45) though
they are buried in debris. The jambs of three portals are standing 1.40 m. higher
still, and give the height of the sill level of the aisle windows; for in all these churches
the top line of the portal openings is the bottom line of the window openings. The
size of the aisle windows is taken from the extant window in the southwest tower, and
the windows of the clearstory are made of equal dimensions, as they are found to be
in the preserved churches to the northwest. The height of the western tower is, of
course, entirely a matter of conjecture, yet Ill. 41 shows the ruined wall rising con-
siderably above the lower story. The methods of construction employed here are well
illustrated in the photographs.' The ma¬
sonry was the best afforded in this basalt
region. The lower courses of the walls
are quadrated, the lintels and jambs of
portals are of well cut stone in large blocks,
the piers and the greater arches were
all well built and beautifully dressed;
but the upper part of the walls, all
spandrils and filling were built in the
manner most characteristic of the region,
in which wedges and truncated cones
are laid in mortar, showing squared faces
on both sides, and this kind of masonry
has not lasted as well as the quadrated
stone-work has. The smaller arches
were made of small wedges (Ill. 47).
It will be noticed (Ill. 46) that the half¬
dome of the apse was built of brick.
These bricks are of the same quality
as those employed in the barracks and
may serve to give an approximate date
to the church. This massive half-dome,
protruding between the east walls of the
side chambers was reinforced by a bridge¬
work connecting with the side chambers
and weighted
and is shown
in ornamental
the ornament
the scale was
excessively slender supports, must have made one of the most spacious, open and airy
interiors in all Syria. Then it is to be remembered that all the interior surfaces were
treated with plaster and colour, and it may well have been that the half dome,
above with rubble. A
in Ill. 48.
features.
of the portals is of the simplest kind. But the proportions were fine,
imposing, the broad and lofty arches of the main arcades, carried on
Ill. 48. Cathedral of Androna.
Angle between exterior curve of Apse and the Prothesis.
remnant of this construction is still preserved,
The ruins would indicate that this church was rather poor
The mouldings of the interior are good, but very plain, and
Publications of the Princeton University Archaeological Expedition to Syria, Div. II, Sec. B., Pt. 2.
8