The evaluation of facade arrangement in context of socio-cultural factors on Constantinopolitan churches in Comnenus Period

This dissertation deas with the facadial arrangement of Comnenian churches, which were built in Constantinople between 1081 and late 12th century in the chronology of Byzantine Empire. Having controlled the imperial throne for nearly a century, the family of Comnenus affected the urban space by erecting the monuments with various functions on the built-environment of Constantinople. The church architecture in Constantinople experienced a remarkable change in the aftermath of 9th century. Besides the mass and painting program, facadial arragement also draws attention as one of the basic aspects this change can be observed. This situation can be especially traced at the Komnenos-related churches, rather than those earlier, in an integrated scheme. The facadial arrangement through which touches the urban space and people emerges as the surface reflecting this change at first glance. The question 'what is the reason of articulated façade at Komnenian churches' directed by facadial articulation which was not observed so much till the Komnenian age forms the basic motivation of this study. Within the scope of this dissertation, five Komnenian-related churches have been examined, the facades of which are known to survive with their authentic structure to great extent. The facades of Komnenian churches have been revealed in their contemporary context from a broad persepective based on the contemporary socio-economic conditions, the origin and artistic and architectural patronage of the family Komneons, topographic features of the urban site, besides the architectural and decorative characteristics of the monuments individually.