The Basilicas of Ethiopia: An Architectural History (I.B.TAURIS)

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. The basilica is symbolic of the history of Christianity in Ethiopia. 'Ezānā, the first Christian king of the Aksumite empire was responsible for the creation of the large, five-aisled church of Māryām Şĕyon, 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. -- Publisher, inside front flap of dust jacket Preface: The structural characteristics of Christian basilicas Part I. The ruins of the ancient Aksumite basilicas (fourth-seventh century) Part II. The architecture of the late-Aksumite and post-Aksumite basilicas of Tigray (eighth-twelfth century) The built basilicas The hypogeal basilicas The semi-monolithic basilicas Part III. The architecture of the medieval basilicas of Ethiopia (the twelfth-century Zagwe kingdom and the restoration of the Solomonic dynasty) Basilicas constructed in caves The monolithic and semi-monolithic basilicas in Lālibalā The last Ethiopian basilicas. Fully-illustrated colour guide to Ethiopian basilicas