Ghassan ISSA - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ghassan ISSA

Research paper thumbnail of The structural methods and construction elements of the historic Lebanese churches in Koura, Batroun, and Byblos, from the 8th Century to the 13th Century

The structural methods and construction elements of the historic Lebanese churches , 2020

The ecclesiastical and monastic architecture was the main symbol to express the meaningful cultur... more The ecclesiastical and monastic architecture was the main symbol to express the meaningful culture of society and to symbolize power, wealth, and greatness. The material and immaterial heritages are immeasurable, even today researchers seek to understand its full impact on the current world. This article gives an overview of the ancient construction techniques, and the building materials of the historic Lebanese churches, providing several clues to ancient history. Also, it aims to explain the methods of old structures using logical analysis, therefore leading to more clear scientific results. Explanation methodology is very obvious, first comes history, then structural description, then examples of churches in Lebanon attached with figures. For this reason, a deep investigation has been applied to the direct analysis of evidence for a better understanding, and an indispensable study was carried out to understand these features and to make them easily recognizable. Natural or man-made hazards cause a serious risk for the survival of the churches; however, they should be preserved in their own settings with their original characteristics as minimum changes as possible. In order to learn the existing conditions of these buildings, the inventory of the most churches constructed during this period should be documented, where conservation strategies and strengthening programs could be developed based on this study.

Research paper thumbnail of THE ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION OF THE ANCIENT LEBANESE CHURCHES IN KOURA, BATROUN AND BYBLOS, FROM THE 8TH CENTURY TO THE 13TH CENTURY

HE ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION OF THE ANCIENT LEBANESE CHURCHES IN KOURA, BATROUN AND BYBLOS, FROM THE 8TH CENTURY TO THE 13TH CENTURY, 2020

I think this work is intriguing for a wide circle of readers interested in the history of ancient... more I think this work is intriguing for a wide circle of readers interested in the history of ancient Lebanese churches. Monumental historical temples are the symbol of cultural identity showing the spiritual value of their old period and reflecting the social, cultural and economic endurance of the past. They are the main part of the architectural heritage that signalizes the continuity of history and the important link between our time and history that helps to understand the development of the architectural features in time and space. Like in many countries, ancient churches need to be identified, classified and then assessed; for this reason, in this research, I will offer an overall picture of the original ecclesiastical parts, which is based on the latest architectural and documental data. The study of these structures is important because it helps to identify the structural forms, the disaster preparedness and the potential hazards. The original damaged and undamaged parts of these churches should be examined in order to achieve proper results, considering the first step to accomplish this, is to recognize them in their original status, so that the applied intervention could be implemented respecting these results. Documentation, protection and conservation of historic monuments are the most important procedures of the cultural heritage preservation, therefore large inventory of these temples should be well documented before starting to detailed analyses and restoration projects.

Research paper thumbnail of The morphological characteristics of the old Lebanese churches in Koura, Batroun and Byblos, from the 8th Century to the 13th Century

Lebanese Science Journal, 2019

Taking into consideration the increasing need to define the chronology of the churches based on t... more Taking into consideration the increasing need to define the chronology of the churches based on their architectural elements.This paper primarily aims to develop a wider understanding of ecclesiastical characteristics;this is exactly why anindispensable analysis was carried out to understand these architectural features and to make them easily recognizable.Furthermore, this research is an attempt to monitor how the different morphological characteristics of churches affectthe general chronology.For the study of the churches, the methodology of investigation of the architectural elementswas used.This tool of investigation has been applied to the direct analysis of morphological evidencefor a better understandingand to clarify its relationship with the chronology.Thisstudy relates to ecclesiastical templesfrom the 8th century to the 13th centuryin Koura, Batroun and Byblos. Unfortunately, there are no remaining churches before the 8th century, especially after the great earthquake tha...

Research paper thumbnail of The Typological Classification of the Old Lebanese Churches in Koura, Batroun and Byblos, from the 8th Century to the 13th Century

Lebanese Science Journal, 2020

The influence of the ecclesiastical architecture was very obvious on the community; it was used f... more The influence of the ecclesiastical architecture was very obvious on the community; it was used for proselytizing purposes and to express the greatness of the church. The church became a link between believers and heaven and a small-scale representation of the universe, where the kingdom of God extends.Forexample, theceilingof churches, especially the domes,symbolizesheaven, which is the throne of God. An indispensable analysis was carried out to understand the typology of churches,based on the plan and spatial composition, therefore to make them easily recognizable. This paper primarily aims to define the typological classification of the historicLebanese churches, to monitor the different characteristicsandto develop a wider understanding of these architectural features. This study relates to ecclesiastical temples from the 8th century to the 13th century in Koura, Batroun and Byblos. Most of the historicchurches and monasteries of Lebanon are located in the north of Lebanon,espec...

Research paper thumbnail of The structural methods and construction elements of the historic Lebanese churches in Koura, Batroun, and Byblos, from the 8th Century to the 13th Century

The structural methods and construction elements of the historic Lebanese churches , 2020

The ecclesiastical and monastic architecture was the main symbol to express the meaningful cultur... more The ecclesiastical and monastic architecture was the main symbol to express the meaningful culture of society and to symbolize power, wealth, and greatness. The material and immaterial heritages are immeasurable, even today researchers seek to understand its full impact on the current world. This article gives an overview of the ancient construction techniques, and the building materials of the historic Lebanese churches, providing several clues to ancient history. Also, it aims to explain the methods of old structures using logical analysis, therefore leading to more clear scientific results. Explanation methodology is very obvious, first comes history, then structural description, then examples of churches in Lebanon attached with figures. For this reason, a deep investigation has been applied to the direct analysis of evidence for a better understanding, and an indispensable study was carried out to understand these features and to make them easily recognizable. Natural or man-made hazards cause a serious risk for the survival of the churches; however, they should be preserved in their own settings with their original characteristics as minimum changes as possible. In order to learn the existing conditions of these buildings, the inventory of the most churches constructed during this period should be documented, where conservation strategies and strengthening programs could be developed based on this study.

Research paper thumbnail of THE ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION OF THE ANCIENT LEBANESE CHURCHES IN KOURA, BATROUN AND BYBLOS, FROM THE 8TH CENTURY TO THE 13TH CENTURY

HE ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION OF THE ANCIENT LEBANESE CHURCHES IN KOURA, BATROUN AND BYBLOS, FROM THE 8TH CENTURY TO THE 13TH CENTURY, 2020

I think this work is intriguing for a wide circle of readers interested in the history of ancient... more I think this work is intriguing for a wide circle of readers interested in the history of ancient Lebanese churches. Monumental historical temples are the symbol of cultural identity showing the spiritual value of their old period and reflecting the social, cultural and economic endurance of the past. They are the main part of the architectural heritage that signalizes the continuity of history and the important link between our time and history that helps to understand the development of the architectural features in time and space. Like in many countries, ancient churches need to be identified, classified and then assessed; for this reason, in this research, I will offer an overall picture of the original ecclesiastical parts, which is based on the latest architectural and documental data. The study of these structures is important because it helps to identify the structural forms, the disaster preparedness and the potential hazards. The original damaged and undamaged parts of these churches should be examined in order to achieve proper results, considering the first step to accomplish this, is to recognize them in their original status, so that the applied intervention could be implemented respecting these results. Documentation, protection and conservation of historic monuments are the most important procedures of the cultural heritage preservation, therefore large inventory of these temples should be well documented before starting to detailed analyses and restoration projects.

Research paper thumbnail of The morphological characteristics of the old Lebanese churches in Koura, Batroun and Byblos, from the 8th Century to the 13th Century

Lebanese Science Journal, 2019

Taking into consideration the increasing need to define the chronology of the churches based on t... more Taking into consideration the increasing need to define the chronology of the churches based on their architectural elements.This paper primarily aims to develop a wider understanding of ecclesiastical characteristics;this is exactly why anindispensable analysis was carried out to understand these architectural features and to make them easily recognizable.Furthermore, this research is an attempt to monitor how the different morphological characteristics of churches affectthe general chronology.For the study of the churches, the methodology of investigation of the architectural elementswas used.This tool of investigation has been applied to the direct analysis of morphological evidencefor a better understandingand to clarify its relationship with the chronology.Thisstudy relates to ecclesiastical templesfrom the 8th century to the 13th centuryin Koura, Batroun and Byblos. Unfortunately, there are no remaining churches before the 8th century, especially after the great earthquake tha...

Research paper thumbnail of The Typological Classification of the Old Lebanese Churches in Koura, Batroun and Byblos, from the 8th Century to the 13th Century

Lebanese Science Journal, 2020

The influence of the ecclesiastical architecture was very obvious on the community; it was used f... more The influence of the ecclesiastical architecture was very obvious on the community; it was used for proselytizing purposes and to express the greatness of the church. The church became a link between believers and heaven and a small-scale representation of the universe, where the kingdom of God extends.Forexample, theceilingof churches, especially the domes,symbolizesheaven, which is the throne of God. An indispensable analysis was carried out to understand the typology of churches,based on the plan and spatial composition, therefore to make them easily recognizable. This paper primarily aims to define the typological classification of the historicLebanese churches, to monitor the different characteristicsandto develop a wider understanding of these architectural features. This study relates to ecclesiastical temples from the 8th century to the 13th century in Koura, Batroun and Byblos. Most of the historicchurches and monasteries of Lebanon are located in the north of Lebanon,espec...