The architecture of Tibet began to develop during the Bon culture. However, the buildings of that era have not survived to the present day.
With the advent of Buddhism in Tibet, architecture received a powerful impetus for development. Buddhism, which came from India , brought with it the Indian architectural style in the construction of temples, monasteries and secular buildings.
Later, many Chinese elements entered the local architectural style. The fusion of Indian and Chinese styles, the own achievements of Tibetan architects gave the world the original and unique building art of this mountainous country. The pinnacle of Tibetan architecture was the Potala Palace in Lhasa .
The originality in Tibetan architecture was also brought by the cold, arid climate of Tibet , the alpine character of the area, the limited resource of the tree , and the cattle-breeding lifestyle of Tibetans . Tibetan builders used in the construction of stone , red brick dried in the sun, less often wood.
To decorate the interior of monasteries and secular houses, Tibetan architects often used multi-colored fabrics that hung around the walls.
The modern architecture of Tibet keeps up to date, has a cosmopolitan character. More and more concrete is used in construction. A lot of houses, shopping centers and public buildings are being built in a modern style, the main advantage of which is the speed of construction, low cost and functionality.
Content
- 1 Religious architecture
- 2 Potala Palace
- 3 Secular architecture
- 4 Gallery
- 5 See also
- 6 notes
- 7 References
Religious Architecture
The first places of worship appeared in the Bon era. However, not one of these buildings has survived to this day. A new stage in Tibetan architecture began with the advent of Buddhism from India. The first Indian-style Buddhist temples were built in the 7th century under King Songtsen Gampo . They were all built in Lhasa, in the city that Songtsen Gampo also founded. The Indian style was characterized by massiveness and solidity. These first temples also did not reach our time. In their place, new temples and monasteries were later erected.
Over time, Chinese-style temples began to be built in Tibet: buildings, as a rule, are in three levels, each upper level is smaller in area of the lower one, the roofs have curved ends. It was this style from Tibet that first penetrated into Mongolia , and then into Buryatia .
The walls of temples and monasteries were built from pressed earth, mud blocks or stones. Inside the buildings, a system of wooden columns and beams was constructed. The floor was built from pressed earth with a small addition of wood.
The monasteries consist of the dwellings of the monks, a library of manuscripts, workshops, a Buddhist school and several temples. In front of the main temple there is a cobbled square where religious performances take place [1] .
Most of the temples are built on three levels. This is connected with Buddhist numerology, where the number 3 has a sacred meaning and indicates the Buddhist triad: the teacher is Buddha , the teaching is Dharma and the religious community is the Sangha [2] .
The Tibetan style is manifested in chortens , religious stupas dedicated to the Buddha Shakyamuni . Later, the Chortens began to be used as tombs for Buddhist lamas [3] . The Chortens were erected in front of the temple.
Before entering the temple on both sides of the main staircase there are stylized figures of tigers and dragons. Inside the temple also has rich decorations: carved from wood figures of various deities, Buddha sculptures, paintings ( tanka ) on religious themes.
The world famous Tibetan temples and monasteries are Kumbum , Sera , Drepung , Ganden , Tashilunpo , Ramoche , Samye .
During the cultural revolution in China , many significant temples of Tibet suffered [4] . In recent years, they have been restored.
Potala Palace
The most famous architectural building in Tibet around the world is the Potala Palace, the residence of the Dalai Lamas . The first palace on the site of modern Potala was built by King Songtsen Gampo in 637 . In the second half of the VIII century , lightning hit the wooden palace and the building completely burned down.
The Dalai Lama V Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (1617–1682) in 1645 began to erect a new palace, which was built for more than half a century. The complex consists of two palaces: White and Red.
The building has a stepped structure: a terrace was cut down in the mountain and a "floor" was erected at this place, then a second terrace was cut down above and the next "floor" was built. Thus, the palace rises from the foot of the mountain to its very top.
The White Palace consists of two pavilions: Eastern and Solar. The Red Palace also consists of several pavilions, prayers and rituals were held here. The Potala Palace is currently a museum.
Potala Palace has become the pinnacle in the work of Tibetan architects. The building is amazingly well integrated into the surrounding landscape. Here, human imagination, engineering and construction skills reached their zenith. Potala is one of the most significant examples of religious architecture in the world.
In 1994, the Potala Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List [5] .
Secular architecture
The traditional Tibetan architecture of residential buildings is characterized by interior-tilted walls and flat roofs. Houses are painted white and edged with dark paint around the perimeter.
Houses in cities were built in two or three floors. The houses had many rectangular windows located high above the ground. In the center of the building is a courtyard, invisible from the outside and forming a through well. Residential buildings in the highlands were built with an amphitheater using the slopes of the mountains [6] .
In rural areas, houses usually have a cozy little courtyard. The houses were built of stone, brick and wood. Tibetans upholstered the walls of the interior with multi-colored fabrics, which gives the interior coziness and additional thermal insulation.
Recently, the architecture of residential and public buildings are increasingly using modern building materials and structures, such as reinforced concrete , metal and plastic windows . Neighborhoods have been built in Lhasa where there are modern houses, wide streets, pedestrian areas, large shops.
Gallery
| Tashilunpo Monastery | Tashilunpo | Monastery of Sir |
| Drepung Monastery and University | Drepung | Kumbum Temple |
See also
- Tibetan culture
Notes
- ↑ Collection: world art culture (Inaccessible link) . Date of treatment April 7, 2019. Archived March 4, 2016.
- ↑ The most beautiful houses. Archived on February 25, 2014.
- ↑ Tibetan Culture and Art Archived March 3, 2016.
- ↑ Art of Tibet (inaccessible link)
- ↑ Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa
- ↑ Art of Tibet Archived October 17, 2015.