Rotunda church in Russia as typological phenomenon

Abstract

The article describes results of a complex research, in the course of which the main stages of origination and formation of a rotunda church as a rare type in the history of the world’s and Russian architecture have been determined. The main groups of rotunda churches in the world architecture (7 types) and Russian architecture (9 types) have been identified together with criteria of their classification and typological characteristics, the chronology frames of formation of certain types. Space-planning and compositional decisions in designs of rotunda churches have been analyzed based on their types in the context of typology developed by the author. The types of rotunda churches and individual monuments of rotunda church architecture from the world architecture history, which served as a source of inspiration for architects in Russia, are considered. Features of Russian rotunda churches connected with the Orthodox traditions and national traditions of church architecture were identified. The examples of rotunda churches around the world, constructed within the multi-age period between the 6th century BC till the 19th century, and of Russian rotunda churches constructed within a short period from the end of the 17th century and till the middle of the 19th century, are made.