Lombard architecture
Encyclopedia
The term Lombard achitecture refers to the architecture of the Kingdom of the Lombards
in Italy
, which lasted from 568 to 774 (with residual permanence in southern Italy until the 10th-11th centuries) and which was commissioned by Lombard king and dukes.
The architectural works of the Lombards in northern Italy (Langobardia Maior) have been mostly lost due to later renovations or reconstructions, the few exceptions including the Lombard Temple at Cividale del Friuli
or the church of Santa Maria fuori Portas at Castelseprio
. More examples have instead survived in southern Italy (Langobardia minor
), especially in what was the Duchy of Benevento
: they include the city's walls, the church of Santa Sofia
and the Rocca dei Rettori
, one of the few surviving Lombard military structures, as well as other minor sites near Benevento and in the former duchy of Spoleto
.
The main surviving examples of Lombard architecture have been included in the Italian Langobardorum (568-774 AD ) site. This consists of seven places with notable architectural, artistic and sculptural, and is a candidate to the UNESCO Heritage list since 2008
, have been destroyed or largely renewed in later times. Anyway some trends, which usually ran in different ways from the Roman
and Palaeo-Christian architectures predominant in Italy up to late Antiquity, have been identified from archaeological studies or other sources. The destroyed church of Santa Maria in Pertica at Pavia, for example, had a typical Roman plan (octagonal with an ambulatory
delimited by columns) but very high central body was a novelty. The Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes
, in Lomello
, also departed from the typical Palaeo-Christian compactness in the use of a tall central octagon. As it had been in Roman times, the commission of lay and religious buildings was used by the Lombard élite to express their prestige and to legitimate their authority.
In the 7th and 8th centuries the Lombard architecture evolved in an original direction, with increasing references to Classical art. This trend, characterized anyway by the co-presence of different influences and the adoption of new techniques, culminated in the reign of king Liutprand
(712-744), in particular at Cividale del Friuli
. Edifices such as the Lombard Tempietto in the latter city, or the Monastery of San Salvatore at Brescia
show echoes of the contemporary architecture in Ravenna
. In this period, the construction of monasteries received a particular impulse, not only a places of adoration or as shows of faith of the commissioners, but also as shelters for the latter's assets and persons and as sites of political control. King Desiderius
(756-774), and with him numerous dukes, gave a particular boost to this trend, which had no direct comparison in Europe at the time.
The development of Lombard architecture in northern Italy was halted by the conquest of Charlemagne
in 774. In southern Italy, still partly under effective Lombard domination, architecture followed original lines until the conquest by the Normans in the 11th century. This unity is shown in particular by the most important Lombard edifice in what was Langobardia Minor, the church of Santa Sofia at Benevento
: built in the 8th century, it follows the same pattern of Santa Maria in Pertica with an elevated central body, although mitigated by Byzantine
elements such as the articulations of the volumes and the basic structure itself, perhaps inspired by Hagia Sofia at Constantinople
.
When they arrived in Italy in the late 6th century, the Lombards had no architectural tradition of their own. They thus relied on local workforce, taking advantage of the presence of organizations and guilds capable of high level works, which had been kept alive thanks to the relative survival of the urban civilization in Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire
(differently from most of contemporary Christian western Europe).
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, which lasted from 568 to 774 (with residual permanence in southern Italy until the 10th-11th centuries) and which was commissioned by Lombard king and dukes.
The architectural works of the Lombards in northern Italy (Langobardia Maior) have been mostly lost due to later renovations or reconstructions, the few exceptions including the Lombard Temple at Cividale del Friuli
Cividale del Friuli
-External links:*...
or the church of Santa Maria fuori Portas at Castelseprio
Castelseprio
Castelseprio was the site of a Roman fort in antiquity, and a significant Lombard town in the early Middle Ages, before being destroyed and abandoned in 1287. It is today preserved as an archaeological park in the modern comune of Castelseprio, near the modern village of the same name...
. More examples have instead survived in southern Italy (Langobardia minor
Langobardia Minor
Langobardia Minor was the name that, in early Middle Ages, was given to the Lombard dominion in central-southern Italy, corresponding to the duchies of Spoleto and Benevento...
), especially in what was the Duchy of Benevento
Duchy of Benevento
The Duchy and later Principality of Benevento was the southernmost Lombard duchy in medieval Italy, centred on Benevento, a city central in the Mezzogiorno. Owing to the Ducatus Romanus of the popes, which cut it off from the rest of Lombard Italy, Benevento was from the first practically...
: they include the city's walls, the church of Santa Sofia
Santa Sofia, Benevento
Santa Sofia is a church in Benevento, southern Italy, one of the main surviving examples of Lombard architecture.In 2011, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of a group of seven inscribed as Longobards in Italy...
and the Rocca dei Rettori
Rocca dei Rettori
Rocca dei Rettori is a castle in Benevento, southern Italy. It currently houses the Museum of the Samnium.-History:...
, one of the few surviving Lombard military structures, as well as other minor sites near Benevento and in the former duchy of Spoleto
Duchy of Spoleto
The independent Duchy of Spoleto was a Lombard territory founded about 570 in central Italy by the Lombard dux Faroald.- Lombards :The Lombards, a Germanic people, had invaded Italy in 568 and conquered much of it, establishing a Kingdom divided between several dukes dependent on the King, who had...
.
The main surviving examples of Lombard architecture have been included in the Italian Langobardorum (568-774 AD ) site. This consists of seven places with notable architectural, artistic and sculptural, and is a candidate to the UNESCO Heritage list since 2008
Characteristics
The most ancient edifices built by the Lombards in Italy, and in particular in their capital, PaviaPavia
Pavia , the ancient Ticinum, is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 km south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It is the capital of the province of Pavia. It has a population of c. 71,000...
, have been destroyed or largely renewed in later times. Anyway some trends, which usually ran in different ways from the Roman
Roman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics...
and Palaeo-Christian architectures predominant in Italy up to late Antiquity, have been identified from archaeological studies or other sources. The destroyed church of Santa Maria in Pertica at Pavia, for example, had a typical Roman plan (octagonal with an ambulatory
Ambulatory
The ambulatory is the covered passage around a cloister. The term is sometimes applied to the procession way around the east end of a cathedral or large church and behind the high altar....
delimited by columns) but very high central body was a novelty. The Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes
Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes
The Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes is a religious edifice in Lomello, Lombardy, northern Italy. An example of Lombard architecture, it is annexed to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, another early Middle Ages structure.-Description:...
, in Lomello
Lomello
Lomello is a comune in the Province of Pavia in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 50 km southwest of Milan and about 30 km west of Pavia, on the right bank of the Agogna...
, also departed from the typical Palaeo-Christian compactness in the use of a tall central octagon. As it had been in Roman times, the commission of lay and religious buildings was used by the Lombard élite to express their prestige and to legitimate their authority.
In the 7th and 8th centuries the Lombard architecture evolved in an original direction, with increasing references to Classical art. This trend, characterized anyway by the co-presence of different influences and the adoption of new techniques, culminated in the reign of king Liutprand
Liutprand
Liutprand may refer to:*Liutprand, King of the Lombards ruled from 712 to 744*Duke Liutprand of Benevento *Bishop Liutprand of Cremona, historian...
(712-744), in particular at Cividale del Friuli
Cividale del Friuli
-External links:*...
. Edifices such as the Lombard Tempietto in the latter city, or the Monastery of San Salvatore at Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
show echoes of the contemporary architecture in Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
. In this period, the construction of monasteries received a particular impulse, not only a places of adoration or as shows of faith of the commissioners, but also as shelters for the latter's assets and persons and as sites of political control. King Desiderius
Desiderius
Desiderius was the last king of the Lombard Kingdom of northern Italy...
(756-774), and with him numerous dukes, gave a particular boost to this trend, which had no direct comparison in Europe at the time.
The development of Lombard architecture in northern Italy was halted by the conquest of Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
in 774. In southern Italy, still partly under effective Lombard domination, architecture followed original lines until the conquest by the Normans in the 11th century. This unity is shown in particular by the most important Lombard edifice in what was Langobardia Minor, the church of Santa Sofia at Benevento
Benevento
Benevento is a town and comune of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 50 km northeast of Naples. It is situated on a hill 130 m above sea-level at the confluence of the Calore Irpino and Sabato...
: built in the 8th century, it follows the same pattern of Santa Maria in Pertica with an elevated central body, although mitigated by Byzantine
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the Roman Empire after AD 330, when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire east from Rome to...
elements such as the articulations of the volumes and the basic structure itself, perhaps inspired by Hagia Sofia at Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
.
When they arrived in Italy in the late 6th century, the Lombards had no architectural tradition of their own. They thus relied on local workforce, taking advantage of the presence of organizations and guilds capable of high level works, which had been kept alive thanks to the relative survival of the urban civilization in Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 285; the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to today as the Byzantine Empire....
(differently from most of contemporary Christian western Europe).
6th century
- Basilica Autarena, Fara Gera d'AddaFara Gera d'AddaFara Gera d'Adda is a comune in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about 30 km northeast of Milan and about 20 km southwest of Bergamo...
(c. 585) - Royal Palace, MonzaMonzaMonza is a city and comune on the river Lambro, a tributary of the Po, in the Lombardy region of Italy some 15 km north-northeast of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Monza and Brianza. It is best known for its Grand Prix motor racing circuit, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.On June...
(c. 585) - Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Monza (c. 585)
- Earliest part of the walls of Benevento
7th century
- Complex of St. John the Baptist, TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
(c. 610) - Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Monza (c. 635)
- Church of St. Eusebius, PaviaPaviaPavia , the ancient Ticinum, is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 km south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It is the capital of the province of Pavia. It has a population of c. 71,000...
(c. 650) - Monastery of San Salvatore, Pavia (657)
- Church of Santa Maria in Pertica, Pavia (677)
- Enlargement of the Royal Palace in Monza by PerctaritPerctaritPerctarit was king of the Lombards from 661 to 662 the first time and later from 671 to 688. He was the son and successor of Aripert I. He shared power with his brother Godepert. He was a Catholic, Godepert an Arian. He ruled from Milan, Godepert from Pavia...
(c. 680) - Baptistery of San Giovanni ad FontesBaptistery of San Giovanni ad FontesThe Baptistery of San Giovanni ad Fontes is a religious edifice in Lomello, Lombardy, northern Italy. An example of Lombard architecture, it is annexed to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, another early Middle Ages structure.-Description:...
, LomelloLomelloLomello is a comune in the Province of Pavia in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 50 km southwest of Milan and about 30 km west of Pavia, on the right bank of the Agogna... - Reconstruction of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, CastelseprioCastelseprioCastelseprio was the site of a Roman fort in antiquity, and a significant Lombard town in the early Middle Ages, before being destroyed and abandoned in 1287. It is today preserved as an archaeological park in the modern comune of Castelseprio, near the modern village of the same name...
- Church of Santo Stefano Protomartire, RognoRognoRogno is a comune in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about 90 km northeast of Milan and about 40 km northeast of Bergamo, in the Val Camonica....
- Rocca dei RettoriRocca dei RettoriRocca dei Rettori is a castle in Benevento, southern Italy. It currently houses the Museum of the Samnium.-History:...
, Benevento - Sanctuary of Monte Sant'AngeloSanctuary of Monte Sant'AngeloThe Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano, sometimes called simply Monte Gargano, is a Catholic sanctuary on Mount Gargano, Italy, part of the commune of Monte Sant'Angelo, in the province of Foggia, northern Apulia....
- Temple of Clitumnus, Campello sul ClitunnoCampello sul ClitunnoCampello sul Clitunno is a comune in the Province of Perugia in the Italian region Umbria, located about 45 km southeast of Perugia....
8th century
- Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'OroSan Pietro in Ciel d'OroSan Pietro in Ciel d'Oro is a Roman Catholic basilica of the Augustinians in Pavia, Italy, in the Lombardy region. Its name refers to the mosaics of gold leaf behind glass tesserae that formerly decorated the ceiling of the apse. The plain exterior is of brick, with sandstone quoins and window...
, Pavia (c. 730-740) - Palatine Chapel of the Royal Palace in Monza (c. 730-740)
- Episcopal complex of patriarch Calixtus, Cividale (c. 740)
- Tempietto longobardo, Cividale (c. 750)
- Monastery of Santa Giulia and church of San Salvatore, BresciaSan Salvatore, BresciaSan Salvatore is a former monastery in Brescia, Lombardy, northern Italy, now turned into a museum. The monastic complex is famous for the diversity of its architecture which include Roman remains and significant pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Renaissance buildings.In 2011, it became a UNESCO...
(753) - Abbey of Leno (c. 758)
- Church of Santa Sofia, BeneventoSanta Sofia, BeneventoSanta Sofia is a church in Benevento, southern Italy, one of the main surviving examples of Lombard architecture.In 2011, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of a group of seven inscribed as Longobards in Italy...
(760) - Walls of Benevento, enlargement by Arechis IIArechis II of BeneventoArechis II was Duke of Benevento, in southern Italy, from 758 until his death....
(760-770) - Convent of Santa Sofia, Benevento (c. 774)
- Monastery of Torba, Castelseprio
- Basilica of Santa Maria, Cubulteria
- Church of San Salvatore, Spoleto