Medieval Church Architecture Terms and Definitions

Medieval Church Architecture Terms

Apse (Or apse apse)

Apse: A semi-circular shaped enclosure at the head of the nave in which a chapel, sacristy, room, or storage area might be located. The central apse refers to a small apse associated with an aisle of the church.

Flying Buttress

Flying buttress: An arch that transmits the load of vaults to a buttress located on the exterior of the building, allowing higher walls and larger windows.

Archivolt

Archivolt: A molding that serves as a decorative frame for the face of an arch.

Jamb (Jamba Dun)

Jamb: A vertical element or column detached from the sides of a wall that limits laterally a portal or door; it is the middle vertical part of a portal (also related to the parteluz).

Dome / Lantern (Cimborio)

Dome / cimborio: A square or octagonal tower or structure rising above the crossing of a Christian church. Over the crossing, it usually takes the form of a dome or a lantern that admits light into the church.

Crossing (Cruise llum)

Crossing: The common space formed by the intersection of the nave (longitudinal) and the transept (transverse) of a church. The crossing is often surmounted by a dome or a lantern (cimborio).

Fresco (Cool painting)

Fresco: A painting technique executed on wet plaster, producing long-lasting murals directly bonded to the wall surface.

Altarpiece / Front (Above)

Altarpiece (front above): Wooden, metal, stone, or textile elements—often richly decorated—that adorn the front of an altar.

Ambulatory

Ambulatory: A circular aisle or corridor in a church that allows the faithful and visitors to circulate without hindering the liturgical celebration. It is located at the back and around the sanctuary, behind the altar.

Horror Vacui

Horror vacui: An artistic conception favoring the filling of space so as not to leave any area unworked; a decorative approach that densely occupies surfaces.

Maiestas Domini

Maiestas Domini: The representation of God (or Christ) as judge, seated on a throne holding the Gospel in the left hand while blessing with the right; a common iconographic motif.

Mullion (Parteluz)

Mullion: A vertical element dividing the middle part of a portal or window; also referred to as a parteluz.

Hierarchical Perspective

Hierarchical perspective: A pictorial device in which the most important figures are shown larger or placed higher than less important figures, indicating social or spiritual rank.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle: A pyramidal or pointed architectural termination often used in Gothic architecture; pinnacles frequently accompany buttresses and other vertical elements.

Latin Cross Plan

Latin cross plan: A cruciform church plan in which the nave is longer than the transept; the shorter arm forms the presbytery, creating unequal arms that shape the cross.

Rose Window (Rossassa)

Rose window: A circular opening in a wall filled with stained glass, usually colored, commonly found in Gothic churches and cathedrals.

Transept

Transept: The transverse nave of a church that crosses the main nave, forming the arms of the cross in a cruciform plan.