apse is a semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir, chancel, or aisle of an architectural structure, whether secular or ecclesiastical. It was first employed in pre-Christian Roman architecture, where it served as an expanded niche to house the figure of a deity in a temple, and it has been used ever since.

• It is the semicircular or polygonal termination of the choir and aisle of a church that is known as the apse (Latin apsis or absis, Ionic Gr., an arch). It is not uncommon for transepts and the nave to have a same conclusion. If you’re looking for a phrase in church architecture, it often refers to the section of the building where the clergy sit and the altar is located.

What does an apse look like?

The term “apse” refers to a semi-circle, shaped like an upside-down bowl, that is placed into the ceiling over a pinnacle point in architectural design. Pre-Christian times, it would have been the highest point of the ceiling, as it is now.

Where did the apse come from?

In the temple of Mars Ultor in Rome (2 B.C. ), an apse can be discovered, and it went on to become the most popular feature of any temple, serving to draw attention to the statue of the deity to whom the temple was dedicated as a result of its position in the back of the structure.

What is the raised area in a church called?

During worship, the chancel is often reserved for the clergy and choir, with the crowd congregating in the nave as a separate space. The chancel may be elevated by a step or two above the level of the nave, and the sanctuary is frequently elevated much higher than that.

What is a church aisle called?

When it comes to church architecture, aisles (also known as yles or alleys) are more particularly a corridor on either side of the nave that is divided from the nave by colonnades or arcades, as well as a row of pillars or columns. As a result, aisles are divided into three categories: nave aisles, transept aisles, and choir aisles.

What is the purpose of an apse?

apse is a semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir, chancel, or aisle of an architectural structure, whether secular or ecclesiastical. It was first employed in pre-Christian Roman architecture, where it served as an expanded niche to house the figure of a deity in a temple, and it has been used ever since.

What do you mean by apse?

Definition. In architecture, an apse is a semicircular recess that is frequently covered by a hemispherical roof. The apse of a church, cathedral, or basilica is often a semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or sanctuary, although it may be located at the end of an aisle in some cases, depending on the style of the building.

What does apse mosaic mean?

“Apse Mosaic in the San Clemente Cathedral.” Christ’s crucifixion is a historical event. Despite the fact that it has a different vibe than others, the mosaic nevertheless has images of Mary and St. John who are in grief. On the cross’s stems are twelve doves, which represent the apostles and also serve to impart a feeling of calm to the situation shown on the cross’s surface.

What was the purpose of a Chevet?

the entrance to a series of chapels arranged in bays behind the high altar, which is usually located behind the high altar in big churches. Despite the fact that it needed much architectural and engineering ability to bridge a significant difference in elevation, the outcome was one of the most magnificent chevets in all of France.

What is the room behind the altar called?

a place in a Christian church where vestments and sacred artifacts used during services are housed, as well as where the clergy, altar boys, choir members, and other members of the congregation put on their robes, is known as a sacristy or vestry.

What is the difference between nave and sanctuary?

It is important to note that the distinction between sanctuary and nave as nouns is that sanctuary is a safe haven or place of protection, whereas nave is the center or body of a church, running from the transepts to the main doors, or it might be a hub of a wheel.

What are the three parts of the church?

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Churches Militant, Penitent, and Triumphant.

What is the front of a cathedral called?

As soon as you enter the cathedral through the main entrance door, which is commonly referred to as the West Door, you will be in the narthex. The narthex is a congregating area that is frequently divided from the main worship area by a second set of doors, as shown in the illustration. The narthex has seen significant transformation throughout the years.

Why is a nave called a nave?

The name nave comes from the Latin navis, which means “ship,” and it has been speculated that it was used to denote the main body of the structure since the ship had been accepted as a symbol of the church at the time of its construction.

What is in the nave?

The nave (/nev/) is the center section of a church, extending from the main entrance or rear wall (which is generally on the western side) to the transepts, or, in the case of a church without transepts, to the chancel.

What is a nave and transept?

The portion of a cruciform church that is at right angles to the primary axis is known as the transept. The transept itself is referred to as the cross in some instances. If the church has a cruciform layout, the nave of the church extends toward the west from the crossing, with the choir and sanctuary extending toward the east.