Overview

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.

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9781784537258

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Reviews

'This is an extremely worthwhile study of basilicas in Ethiopia by an architect. He presents the stylistic developments of sacred buildings by comparing a number of churches, which though different preserved a more or less defined form. People everywhere come together to celebrate religious rites in sacred sites. In Ethiopia exigencies of landscape and politics created buildings which were monolithic, semi-monolithic or carved out of the living rock. A number of very impressive large buildings for sacred and secular usage can still be found there, however, many have all but disappeared or are in a very ruinous state, so that the study of individual sites is an increasingly necessary task for understanding the development of this architectural style. The genesis and development of building traditions during the Aksumite Empire continued for many centuries after its demise. These architectural solutions are meticulously explained and richly illustrated with the author's own photographs and images from earlier excavation campaigns. This beautifully produced volume will inspire the serious student of architecture as well as introduce the general reader to the Ethiopian landscape and politics under which large buildings such as basilicas were created.' - Dorothea McEwan, Honorary Fellow, The Warburg Institute, University of London, 'Many books have hitherto been written about ancient Ethiopian churches - mostly by historians, archaeologists and well known photographers. This is one of the very few books written about this enthralling subject by a professional architect. Without doubt, Mario di Salvo's The Basilicas of Ethiopia is the most authoritative book yet on the architectural history of the magnificent Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. This sumptuously presented oeuvre is not only a seriously academic book written just for other architects, but indeed also for the wider audience of aficionados of Ethiopian art and culture, for whom it will be a great delight to have in their collection.' - Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, PhD., Chairman of the Board of Patrons, ORBIS AETHIOPICUS - The Society for the Preservation and Promotion of Ethiopian Culture

Author Information

Mario Di Salvo is an architect and Director of the Fondation Carlo Leone et Mariena Montandon. He is the author of a number of publications on different forms of artistic expression, especially in the field of architecture and the figurative arts. His previous books include Churches of Ethiopia: The Monastery of Narga Sellase and Crosses of Ethiopia: The Sign of Faith - Evolution and Form. Carolyn Gossage is an author and historian. She has previously written books on Ethiopian icons and crosses.

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