Monastic Buildings Research Articles

익산 제석사의 축조 공정 검토

In this paper, the process of building and transforming the large-scale authoritative buildings of Jeseoksa Temple Site was reviewed by tracing the construction process according to the stages of planning and designing, construction and completion, and reconstruction after disposal. In the planning and design stage, the location of the temple was selected, and the lay-out and size of the temple was determined. Through topographic analysis and survey data review, it was found that the Jeseoksa Temple Site was located in the most optimal location, considering environmental conditions such as flooding and future spatial expandability. In addition, it was estimated that the temple had been built as part of a large-scale urban planning project in Iksan, based on the accessibility and spatial arrangement of the remains of the Wanggung-ri Site. It was understood that the temple layout reflected the aspect of maintaining the ‘one pagoda and one golden hall’ tradition and changes accompanying the expansion of scale. At the beginning of construction, areas of high ground were cut down and soil was piled up at areas of low ground in order to flatten the land; this was likely done in order to secure a wide and solid land plot. Subsequently, in order to build solid foundations for the individual buildings, plate construction was carried out above ground or underground. Finally, roof tiles and walls were utilized to form a temple landscape. In this way, the stage at which the landscape of the entire temple was finalized can be seen as the point of com-pletion. It is estimated that the temple layout featured in a wooden pagoda, golden hall, and auditorium surrounded by a middle gate, corridors, east-west buildings, and monastic buildings. Jeseoksa Temple Site was destroyed by fire in 639, and the temple was subsequently abandoned. After the waste was removed to the Jeseoksa Temple Site waste site, the re-construction stage began. It is estimated that the landscape of the rebuilt temple was trans-formed, with the use of new styles such as convex roof-end tiles with lotus design, con-cave roof-end tiles with arabesque design, and dtamped roof-tiles.

Managing Intervention Works for Conservation and Revitalization: A Case Study of the Bârnova Monastery, Iași

This study offers insights into the management of intervention works aimed at conserving and revitalizing historical structures, focusing on the Bârnova Monastery in Iași, Romania. The study begins by contextualizing the broader challenges associated with preserving heritage churches and monastic buildings, elucidating the architectural characteristics and structural aspects typical of traditional Romanian Orthodox churches. Subsequently, the study delves into a detailed case analysis centered on the restoration of the medieval Bârnova Monastery, particularly its paramount structure, the Saint George Church, erected in the XVII century. This church exemplifies the traditional Orthodox architectural and structural norms prevalent during the medieval period. Through a structural diagnosis, the study identifies the vulnerabilities of the Saint George Church, which have been exacerbated by the impact of approximately 24 earthquakes of magnitudes exceeding 6.0 throughout its history. In response, a multifaceted approach to strengthening was devised, involving a combination of grouting and the installation of steel rods within vertically drilled galleries spanning the entire height of the walls. The adoption of this integrated strengthening strategy proved advantageous, significantly enhancing the seismic resilience of the church while simultaneously addressing the preservation needs of its historical features. This case study not only contributes to the body of knowledge on conservation and revitalization practices but also offers valuable insights into the effective management of intervention works for safeguarding heritage structures against seismic risks.

Harmony of Combining of Architectural Ideas: Light Oculus and Stalactite Muqarnas Tent

The origin of the common type of overlap of the Armenian monastic fore-churches or narthex (zhamatun or gavit) – a stone muqarnas tent with a light oculus at the top – has not yet been fully disclosed. Denying the absolute autochthonous nature of this architectural idea, the author of the article develops a point of view about the transformation by Armenian architects of the form of a brick tent, known from the mausoleums of Muslim rulers, which were built since the 11th century in Mesopotamia and Syria. At the same time, the rich local context of the early forms of the high tent with an oculus and the architectural compositions associated with it are analysed anew. At the same time, in 1038 in the Horomos monastery the king Hovhannes Smbat Bagratuni has constructed the multi-column zhamatun with eight-side tent and an oculus. Intended for the repose of the king, this zhamatun could embody in its architecture both the forms of a residential building and, to a greater extent, the idea represented in Rotunda of the Holy Sepulchre. Since the second half of the 12th century, when many monastic vestibules were built, about a dozen such structures with a stalactite tent were also erected. It seems acceptable that in the process of creative processing of the idea of Muslim tents, Armenian architects embodied their formal features in the stone structure of the false vault, preserving the traditional light oculus for the local culture. Identified with the divine light, the stream looked spectacular against the background of a stalactite sculptural form resembling a cave. The key role in the creation of a new type of tent in the monastic buildings could be played by the masters of the Ani school of architecture.

Changing Views on Heritage Through Time: The Listing of Monastic Heritage in Portugal

ABSTRACT The listing of monastic heritage emerged in the wake of their secularization in the nineteenth century in most of the European countries and in parallel with the rising level of heritage awareness in a process ongoing through to contemporary times. In Portugal, out of the set of the first 15 buildings listed at the beginning of the twentieth century over a half were former monasteries. Since then, the listing of monastic buildings advanced at different paces with the Portuguese state still continuing to list these buildings but neither in the same way nor according to the same criteria. Analysis of the heritage listing registers of monastic buildings over this period – carried out through cross-referencing different cases – enables the identification of the changes that occurred in the ways each society, across each historical period, perceived and valued these buildings and the choices made regarding the objects deemed to deserve a heritage status. These choices reflect the changes occurring to the societal values over this period. By focusing on a specific typology of “traditional” heritage, the analysis also reveals the challenges that the listing act confronts nowadays coupled with the need to rethink the official heritage lists.

Klasztor w Suchej Beskidzkiej. Prepozyci w latach 1658–1709

The article is situated in the current studies on the history and monastic culture in Poland in modern times. Its content consists of synthetic biographies of the provosts of the Lateran Canons Regular prebend in Sucha Beskidzka, who ruled in the years 1658–1709. The provosts were witnesses but above all co-creators of the history of the monastery, which played a significant religious, social and cultural role in the region. Above all, however, it was an important part of the town’s infrastructure, a symbol in its landscape, a shrine to which the faithful from the whole area made pilgrimages during the indulgenced feast, and a place of learning and teaching. Therefore, the biographies of its superiors, despite their encyclopaedic character, will undoubtedly be useful to researchers interested in the problems of monasticism in Poland, but also, and perhaps above all, to those researching the past of the town, the parish and the complex of monastic buildings.

Quantitative Estimation of the Internal Spatio–Temporal Characteristics of Ancient Temple Heritage Space with Space Syntax Models: A Case Study of Daming Temple

Ancient temple heritage space is a subcategory of integrated spaces with profound religious architecture, culture, and landscape. The temporal and spatial characteristics, spatial layouts, and functionalities of ancient temples are gradually transformed during different periods in their development. However, quantitative topological estimation tools, e.g., space syntax and detailed digital spatial models, have seldom been adopted in related studies on ancient temples. Daming Temple is a typical representative of the revitalization of Buddhism monastic building heritage in China. This research studies the spaces of Daming Temple, Yangzhou City, in three different periods and explores its spatio–temporal characteristics based on two space syntax models, i.e., the angle segment analysis (ASA) model and the visibility map analysis (VGA) model. By multi-step quantitative estimation, changes in the mean depth (MD), mean connectivity, and intelligibility of the temple have been observed. The global spatial structure is thoroughly revealed, which indicates the changes in the ‘temple-residence-garden’ inter-relationship. It is indicated that dynamic spatio–temporal characteristics of the temple have been undergoing changes chronically. Some phenomena are found to be effective in offering reasonable explanations for these changes, i.e., the changes in relationships among spaces, visitors’ pathfinding difficulties, and spatial design techniques. It also found that there are certain correlations between temporal–spatial changes and spatial conservation strategies for building heritages. The case study can provide some valuable references for the conservation, reactivation, and redesign of related historical and cultural building heritage in East Asia.

Structural Assessment and Strengthening of a Historic Masonry Orthodox Church

This study provides insight into the structural assessment, diagnosis, and strengthening of the medieval church of Tazlău Monastery in Piatra Neamț, Romania. The first part of the paper briefly presents the wider context of strengthening and preserving heritage churches and monastic buildings and describes the architectural setting and the structural features of the traditional Romanian Orthodox churches. The second part of the paper is a case study related to the rehabilitation of a medieval heritage church, which is the paramount building of a larger monastic complex. Erected in 1496, the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary closely follows the medieval traditional Orthodox patterns from both architectural and structural points of view. Structural assessment and diagnosis revealed that degradations were induced and developed throughout the life of the structure due to approximately 24 earthquakes (estimated at over 6.0 magnitude) having endangered the structural safety of the building and the mural iconography. After the structural diagnosis, a combined and complex method of strengthening consisting of both grouting and introducing steel rods in vertically drilled galleries along the entire height of the walls was selected. The main advantage of applying this combined strengthening strategy was a remarkable enhancement of the structural seismic performance of the church building.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL STUDY OF THE FORTIFIED MONASTERY IN PIDHORYANY

The article examines the fortified monastery complex of the princely period in Pidhoryany, which has survived to this day in a half-ruined state on the territory of Western Ukraine. The history of the construction of the monastery and its restoration is followed. The monastery complex had not only spiritual significance, it was supplemented with defensive structures, acting as a fortified complex for protection from external enemies in the southern part of Terebovla. The architectural-spatial and artistic solution of the monastic buildings of the historical architectural monastery-fortress was analyzed. Diverse in functional monastic purpose, compositional and architectural-artistic solution, proportions, stone monastic buildings are important structural elements of the monastery-fortress and unique artistic works of defensive architecture. Artists, applying three main rules: utility, strength and beauty, created a perfect architectural work of defensive architecture that reflects the culture of a certain era and makes an impression on the viewer. The Pidgoryan monastery complex is a unique urban development that has historical and cultural value and belongs to the cultural heritage of Ukraine. Different in size, proportions and compositional solution, the monastery buildings harmoniously fit into the structure of the monastery and the environment, which reflect the skill and talent of the builders. In the process of research, the technical condition of the monastery buildings was studied, and a program of restoration measures was determined in order to preserve them from further destruction. The protection and preservation of the authentic monastery-fortress can be a contribution to the preservation and development of the cultural values of the Ukrainian people.

To the Source Studies of the Byzantine Accounts of the Spiritual Centers in Palestine

The review of the sources includes the characteristics of such literary monuments as the texts of the Holy Scripture of the Septuagint, sermons, spiritual hymns, and hagiography. The main documental evidences are represented by the Notitia episcopatuum, Synodal acts, canons and decisions, Typika of monasteries, account of the churches, abbeys and nunneries in Christian East. In Christian Byzantium, Jerusalem became the main destination of pilgrims. Many monasteries were built by the monks from Georgia who lived in Palestine. In the countries neighbouring to Palestine there was active monastic building in Byzantine Syria, as well as in the area of ancient monastic formations, Egypt. Therefore, there appeared the picture of energetic monastic building in the Holy Land, which is accounted to by documents, such as various Notitia, as well as the statutes and the journals of pilgrims and travellers. Although not all the monasteries existed for long due to devastating raids of Bedouins, Muslims, and crusaders, many of them were renovated from the ashes to continue servicing to these days. From that time on, Byzantine geographical literature went outside purely literary borrowings from the classical heritage and the environment of theoretical-mathematical and astronomical treatises to the practice of actual travels and pilgrimages. Although the latter kept their importance in all the periods of Byzantine literature, from the Christian topography of Kosmas In- dikopleustes to the ethno-geographical excursions in the History of Nikephoros Grigoras.

Identifying and Dating Mont Saint-Michel’s Early Monastic Buildings, c. 1070–1228

ABSTRACTOne of the best-known monastic settlements of western Europe, the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel occupies the summit of a prodigiously steep island site off the coast of Normandy in northern France. The church was built between 1023 and c. 1080–85. The monastic buildings, to the north of the church, were arranged vertically as much as horizontally, reflecting the constraints of the site. They appear to have comprised three adjacent and interconnecting buildings, two of three storeys, the other of two. However, two of these three ranges were overbuilt in the early thirteenth century by an ambitious development which became known as the Merveille (c. 1212–28). This article seeks to identify the buildings that the Merveille replaced and thus the entire complex as it existed in the twelfth century. This inevitably involves a certain amount of speculation and perhaps for this reason the complex has hitherto been largely ignored, important though it is for an understanding of the abbey’s early history. The article also discusses other building projects relevant to the monks, such as the cemetery, the twelfth-century Hôtellerie and the thirteenth-century infirmary and mortuary chapel, and analyses the genesis of the Merveille. Among the findings or propositions are that the monks’ cemetery was housed in what may once have been a ducal palace; that the abbey’s cloister occupied the same position as it does today but was at a lower, mezzanine level and was smaller than the present cloister; that the chapter house and infirmary were probably adjacent to the west walk of the cloister; that the original provision for kitchen and cellar and for sleeping space was inadequate; and that the Merveille, which was the work of Abbot Raoul des Îles, was not entirely new-build as sometimes thought, but a transformation and redevelopment of buildings that already existed.

Riconsiderare l'insediamento monastico di Torba: la torre e le sue funzioni

This article reconsiders some aspects of the early medieval monastic settlement of Torba, starting from an established historiography and the very recent publication of new archaeological data. Focusing on the Monastery tower, which had been part of the late antique curtain wall of Castelseprio, the research has led to a new interpretation of the construction phases and functions. The contribution thus offers new hypotheses for interdisciplinary evaluation, particularly about the possibility that the monastic choir might have been installed in a space not consecrated. The mural paintings of both the tower and the church of Santa Maria remain to be reconsidered in detail, as well as the relationship with the monastic building leaning against the curtain wall. The results should later be compared with the updated research on female monastic settlements in the early medieval West.

Nonneklostret i Hundslund

Hundslund prioryThe history of its medieval buildingsThe Benedictine priory of Hundslund is situated in Vendsyssel, northern Jutland. It flourished from its establishment in around 1200 until the Reformation, after which it became transformed into a manor house, Dronninglund Slot. This transformation secured parts of the medieval complex, which are consequently preserved to the present day (figs. 1-4).The medieval complex consisted of a church and several buildings constructed at different times. The oldest part of the complex is the brick church, constructed around 1200 in a distinct Romanesque style similar to the nearby diocese church at Børglum and a small group of local parish churches. Some monastic buildings must have existed in conjunction with the church, but these have left almost no trace in the archaeological record (figs. 5-9).A building boom occurred in the latter part of the 15th century, and the church was subject to several building projects. The walls were raised and the church was vaulted, a tower was built on the west side of the nave and a large monastic wing was constructed. After a short break, rebuilding resumed in the early 16th century, when two transepts were added to the church as well as a porch, and a new west wing of monastic buildings was constructed. In addition to the dateable construction works, a major canal was constructed at the priory in the late medieval period, as well as some smaller buildings on the priory area (figs. 10-20).The priory church had a dual function, serving both the priory’s nuns and the local parish. This meant that the church and the monastic complex had to have a layout which secured the integrity of the monastic clause. Especially during the later Middle Ages, when there was a building boom, this may have been difficult to ensure, as the natural topography also imposed some limits with respect to where the monastic buildings could be constructed. This resulted in a somewhat unique structure, whereby the monastic buildings lay to the far west of the church, instead of directly adjoining it. It was consequently not possible to achieve a traditional monastic layout with adjoining buildings and cloister walks (fig. 21a-c).

Save the Ukrainian People First: They Carry their Culture in their Hearts

Save the Ukrainian People First: They Carry their Culture in their Hearts

Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the UNESCO Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (Cyprus)

In the framework of the IH-AT (Invisible Heritage Analysis and Technology) project, a cluster of churches ranging from the 11th to the 16th centuries, located in the Troodos Mountain range of Cyprus, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage monuments, were investigated using Non-Destructive-Techniques (NDT) (geophysical and topographic survey), 3D modelling and visualisation methods, contextualised and interpreted by art-historical and archaeological research. A geophysical survey, performed using a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), specifically aimed to confirm the presence or absence of buried features of archaeological interest at each of these sites, in particular, evidence of monastic complexes and buildings that used to surround preserved churches. This paper describes the preliminary results of this survey and some initial interpretations concerning what new information can be discerned about the now lost monastery complexes, in advance of future excavation.

Sources about the monastic church and library at Þingeyrar

The Benedictine Abbey of Þingeyrar in North-West Iceland was the earliest monastic house in Iceland, established in the early 12th century. Today, it is mainly famous for its literary production and for manuscripts, some of whom are still preserved. All remnants of the monastic buildings have now vanished from the face of earth, but we have fairly precise descriptions of these buildings in official appraisals from 1684 and 1704, which are found in the Collection of the Procurators at the National Archive of Iceland. Further, current archeological research at Þingeyrar has added considerable new knowledge about Þingeyrar, e.g. the location of the monastic church. The appraisals of Þingeyrar Abbey can be compared to other known documents, medieval annals and charters, to construct a more complete picture of the monastic buildings and their interiors, primarily of the church where the monks had their library. This study forms an introduction to the first publication of the appraisals and it attempts to tell the history of the Church of Þingeyrar Abbey, which as it turns out seems to have survived more or less intact until 1695, when the Danish official Lauritz Gottrup had it torn down and a new one built.

HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS MONASTERY IN MANYAVA (GREAT MANYAVSKY HERMITAGE) XVII-XX CENTURIES

The article traces the history of the origin of the Manyavsky Hermitage and reveals the stages of development of the monastery from the beginning of its foundation and formation, prosperity to the decline, destruction and revival in our time. In the course of the research, the architectural-spatial and planning structure of the monastery ensemble of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Manyava were analyzed. The originality of the ensemble lies not only in the harmonious combination of wooden, brick monastic buildings, surrounded by fortified thick walls with three towers but also in a kind of architectural and spatial combination of the main cathedral, which dominates the cells and other temples, with high dominants - the Treasury Tower and the Bell Tower. Diverse in architectural-compositional and artistic solutions, the material of construction, monastic buildings are organically integrated into the existing landscape environment and form a holistic architectural ensemble. The monastery buildings of the Great Manyavsky Hermitage have architectural and artistic value, belong to the historical and cultural heritage, and are an invaluable spiritual heritage of Ukraine.

Afviklingen af de middelalderlige klostre i Danmark og Nordtyskland

Afviklingen af de middelalderlige klostre i Danmark og Nordtyskland

Colonial Architecture in Panama City. Analysis of the Heritage Value of Its Monastic Buildings

The Historic District of Panama City was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997 for representing an exceptional example of 17th century colonial urban planning in the Americas. This article focuses on the specific analysis of the deteriorated monastic typology, highlighting its historical role as an articulating piece of the original urban layout designed in 1673 after the transfer from Panamá Viejo to the current location and which continues today. Our methodology consisted of reviewing the different stages of each of these buildings, extracting common events, and identifying the examples of the greatest value loss, with the aim of enhancing and highlighting their historical footprint. This study includes approaches from urbanism, architectural history, and heritage preservation that allows us to discuss possible tools, either for protection or adaptative reuse, to avoid the deterioration of such important historical heritage.

Dismantling of hipped roof and restoration of cribbed structure of monastic buildings, churches and temples

The paper is devoted to the problem of adaptation and restoration of monastic structures, churches and temples without complete dismantling of the elements of the main load-bearing structures, using technologies and methods of work that allow delicately and effectively restoring the most important elements of buildings. The progress of work on the restoration of the hipped roof, using the lifting method - lifting the load-bearing part of the cribbed roof structure, is accurately and consistently described in the paper, as well as flexibility and efficiency in choosing a new solution for lifting, taking into account the features of the object identified during the work. The work on raising the roof was carried out during the course of adapting the building to modern use, based on the needs of the Kirillo-Belozersky museum-reserve.

ОБОРОННИЙ КОСТЕЛ СВЯТОГО МИКОЛАЯ ТА МОНАСТИР ОО. БЕРНАРДИНІВ У БЕРЕЖАНАХ

The article is devoted to the history of the monastery of the Order of Bernardines in Berezhany in Ternopil region. The analysis of the architectural features of the complex is main purpose of the work. The monastery is located in the northwest corner of the city. The territory of the was surrounded by defensive bastion fortifications. The monastery fortifications were a part of the city defensive lines. The mountain, on which the monastery located, is called - "St. Nicholas Mountain". On the place of the present monastery was a boyar's manor in the XIV century, and then the orthodox church of St. Nicholas.The construction of a defensive complex of monastic buildings began in 1630. The Bernardine complex includes - the Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, the house of the monastery cells, defensive walls and ramparts. The complex occupied the highest position in the north-western wing of the city's defense system. It was an important strategic point that controlled the Lviv-Berezhany road. The construction of all the objects of the monastery lasted 112 years until 1742.In 1809–1812, the Austrian authorities liquidated the city's powerful defenses. In particular, the ramparts and bastions that were on the territory of the monastery were eliminated. Today there is only a fragment of a defensive wall and a moat on the southern slope of the mountain, which separated the territory of the monastery from the urban areas of the New Town. The fortifications of the monastery are shown on the map of 1720 by Major Johann von Fürstenhof. The bastion belt of the monastery had underground structures. In 2010, murals were found in the interior of the church. According to the author, the carved stone decoration of the church (columns, capitals) was made by the sculptor Johann Pfister (in 1630–1642). The altars, with carved figures of saints, were probably made by the artist Georg Ioan Pinzel from Buchach. The architecture of the monastery's defensive structures needs further research. In the temple there are several valuable icons of the prophetic series of iconostasis. These are works originating from the famous Krasnopushchany iconostasis by Gnat Stobynsky and Fr. Theodosius of Sichynskyi. This iconostasis was donated in 1912 by Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytskyi. Restoration work on the monastery began in 2007 after a visit by President Victor Yushchenko. First of all, the roof of the temple was repaired. Work is underway to restore and recreate the interior of the temple. Archaeological research of lost fortifications needs special attention.