Secular Architecture: Domestic

Byzantine domestic architecture, particularly from the fourth to fifteenth centuries, reveals distinct regional patterns. In the Balkans and Asia Minor, peristyle houses dominated early periods but declined by the sixth century, while courtyard houses became prevalent in urban centers like Mystras during the Middle Byzantine era. These structures, often linked to merchants, provided privacy and were centrally located. However, rural areas primarily featured longhouses, where residents shared living spaces with livestock. Late Byzantine/Frankish urban centers, such as Mystras, showcased elaborate longhouses, blending agricultural roots with sophisticated urban design.

Snively, C. S. (2021). Secular Architecture: Domestic. The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Art and Architecture, 351–362. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190277352.013.30