Illustration of the southern side of the Cathedral of Cologne. Construction on the cathedral was begun in 1248 and it was meant to be a place to hold the reliquary of the Three Kings. The cathedral was not completed until the 19th century. Its Gothic architecture is based largely on the Amiens Cathedral. From the view, the cathedral's enormous Germanic spires are visible.

A Southern View of the Cathedral of Cologne in Germany

Illustration of the southern side of the Cathedral of Cologne. Construction on the cathedral was begun…

A structure raised above the roof of an edifice, a cupola.

Dome

A structure raised above the roof of an edifice, a cupola.

"Dome-System of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period reached its highest example and splendor in the church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. After this church, which was originally built by Constantine, had been burnt to the ground, it was rebuilt, with the utmost care, and at great expense, by Justinian. On each of he open sides of the dome-covered square there abuts a semicircle with semi-domes of somewhat inferior height to the main dome." This diagram shows how the semi-domes are penetrated on each side by three smaller vaults.

Dome System of Hagia Sophia

"Dome-System of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period…

"Exterior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Although the impression conveyed by this church is not so pure and simple as that which the basilicas produce, still its outlines are magnificent and imposing. The exterior displayed a novel divergency from the normal standard. Whist hitherto the antique form of the roof had been preserved, it was now replaced by a totally different one: inasmuch as the vaulting, at least of the domes, was visible from the outside without any screen, or the only covering it had was one of polished metal."

Exterior of Hagia Sophia

"Exterior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Although the impression conveyed by this church…

"Interior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Besides the Narthex, there was a second vestibule: both extended the whole breadth of the building. In front of it was an entrance court surrounded by a colonnade, which was entered through an arch resting on four pillars."

Interior of Hagia Sophia

"Interior of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. Besides the Narthex, there was a second vestibule:…

"Section of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period reached its highest example and splendor in the church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. After this church, which was originally built by Constantine, had been burnt to the ground, it was rebuilt, with the utmost care, and at great expense, by Justinian. On each of he open sides of the dome-covered square there abuts a semicircle with semi-domes of somewhat inferior height to the main dome."

Section of Hagia Sophia

"Section of the Church of Sta. Sophia at Constantinople. The Byzantine style of this first period reached…