Glossary

		of terms often used in religious architectural contexts
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term		meaning
absidial chapel		the easternmost chapel of a cathedral. This chapel is sometimes also called the "Lady chapel", if the chapel is dedicated to the Virgin.
aisle		the passages along both sides of the nave, which is separated from it by arcades.
altar		a table of wood or stone before which divine services are held.
ambulatory		(Lat. "ambulatorium", walkway) aisle which wraps around the choir area. It has been conceived during the gothic era to permit to the faithful to admire the reliques and treasures disposed in the sanctuary, which is within the restricted area of the choir.
apse		(Lat. "apsis", arch) the semicircular or polygon alternating end of a church. synonym : chevet
arcade		series of arches supported by piers or columns.
arch		a structure composed of separate pieces, such as stone or bricks, having the shape of truncated wedges, arranged on a curved line so as to retain their position by mutual pressure. The pointed arch is widely regarded as the main identifiable feature (distinct from the round arch of the Romanesque period; but in the end of the romanesque period you can find pointed arches too). The most common Gothic arches is the Lancet.
archivolt		one of a series of concentric mouldings on a Gothic arch.
attached shaft		an architectural feature that looks like a shaft or column partially sunk into the wall surface.
bay		a spatial division down the length of the building which divides it into sections from the floor to the roof and mark the division between each bay
blind arcading		an arcade backed by a spectacular decorative motif in medieval architecture.
boss		decorative sculpture at the intersection of two vault ribs.
buttress		masonry projecting beyond the main face of the wall which are necessary to strengthen those of great height. see also flying buttress.
capital		the cap or crown at the upper part of a column, usually highly decorated.
cathedral		(Greek "cathedra", seat or throne) the principal church of a religious province or diocese, where the throne of the bishop is placed. Traditionally, a cathedral faces west, in the direction of the setting sun, the altar being placed in the choir area at the east end of the, the main body, called nave, of the cathedral is usually divided into one main and two side aisles, one on each side (sometimes two); as far as I know, the cathedral Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium, is the only one having 3 aisles (in gothic style).
chapel		the recesses on the sides of the aisles and the ambulatory in cathedrals and abbey churches. Sometimes known as chantries. In general, the chapels are dedicated to a saint, where the believers may pray, or remain for quiet contemplation. Sometimes they are also foreseen for some occasional special service.
chapter		certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies, said to be derived from the chapter of the rule book, which they read in the assemblies of monks.
chapter house		a building attached to a monastery or cathedral in which the meetings of the chapter are held. In the context of building a cathedral, it is the administrative center, organized for overseeing the construction.
choir		this is the area where the main altar is situated, where services are sung, and where the stalls of the clergy are, located at the east of the crossing.
choir screen		decorated screen of wood or stone separating the choir from the rest of the cathedral.
choir stalls		the seats in the choir. Often highly decorated.
clerestorey		'clear storey', the upper store which rises above the roof of the aisles. Window openings, often of stained glass, which permits the introduction of light into the body of the church from above.
cloister		(Lat. "claustrum") a space for religious retirement; any inner courtyard or central square closed by the four sides of a monastery which was sometimes situated on the side (north or south) of a cathedral. It is like a walkway, or ambulatory, usually protected by a roof, supported by columns.
column		term for a supporting pillar, often a cylindrical support, capped by a decorated capitals.
compound pier		A pier comprised of a number of decorative elements such as shafts grouped around a central core.
corbel		a projecting bracket is often carved with grotesque monster heads.
corbel table		a row of corbels used as a decorative feature. Often placed below the eaves of a roof, possibly in imitation of the carved ends of projecting roof beams.
crossing		the space formed by the intersection of the nave and the transepts.
crossing arch		The arches leading from the nave, the choir, and the transepts into the central crossing space.
crypt		originally the word meant a "hidden place". Traditionally it is space reserved for a burial chambers, which are very often situated below the choir area.
diocese		the area of territory, with its parishes, under the religious jurisdiction of an individual bishop. An archdiocese is a larger area, including several dioceses, controlled by a bishop.
elevation		a vertical face (inside or outside) of a building.
finial		the top or finishing stone of a pinnacle.
flying buttress		an arch at the top of the main wall (at the beginning of the nave or choir vault) over the aisles to support the thrust. A new feature of Gothic architecture, giving strength and solidity to the structure.
fresco		painting on wet plaster whereby the pigment becomes absorbed into the wall rather than sitting on top of it.
gable		end of a roof.
gallery		a balcony or mezzanine overlooking the main interior space of a building. In a church the gallery is an upper story directly above the aisle.
gargoyle		spouts usually carved as representations of fanciful beings such as men, animals, birds, dogs, or demons, which are connected to a gutter for throwing rain water from the roof of a building.
gothic		the dominant style of architecture in the end of the Middle Ages, used from the 12th century until the mid 16th century, in Europe. It is mainly characterised by pointed arches, rib-vaults, and large tracery windows.
high altar		The altar is situated in the centre point of the choir radius, usually located towards the east end of the choir.
Inner flyers		the inner flying buttress arch over a double aisle, usually at the apse end.
jamb		the stones forming the side of a door or window, often heavily carved.
jamb figures		located on either side of the portal doors; the first carved figures you see before entering the church. Traditionally, they depict Old Testament prophets or martyred saints; sometimes you can see kings and queens, along with the others.
keystone		the central stone of an arch that locks the other units in place. See also : voussoir.
labyrinth		a symbolic maze which can be found sometimes on the floor of a cathedral.
Lady chapel		a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary; very often, it is the absidial chapel.
lancet		a tall, narrow window with a pointed arch.
lantern		the windowed upper stage of a tower or dome, often situated above the crossing.
lintel		a beam of any material used to span an opening. Sometimes you can find more than one, especially at monumental portals.
misericord		pivoting wooden seats of the choir stalls. They are lifted up to provide relief for the clergy who had to stand during long church services. They are generally highly decorated and carved.
nave		the main part, central, open space or of a church or cathedral west of the choir or chancel. Sometimes called the "central aisle".
niche		vertical recess in a wall, often for a statue.
oculus		a small circular or eye-shaped window, often with traceries, and filled with stained glasses
ogee		S-curve commonly used for gothic arches and tracery.
outer flyers		outer flying buttress arch over a double aisle, usually at the apse end.
pier		a support (usually made for an arch, which may comprise groups of individual shafts or a monolithic unit. Generally larger and heavier than a column.
pinnacle		a pointed summit placed on the top of a buttress, a gable, etc.
porch		a projecting, enclosed doorway, usually a side entrance located at the transepts of a cathedral.
portal		a doorway, entrance or gate.
pulpit		a raised platform for preaching. A two-decker has a reading-desk, while a three-decker pulpit has a reading desk and also a parish clerk's desk.
quatrefoil		an architectural ornament having four lobes or foils.
ribbing		arches used to .
romanesque		the architectural style common in Western Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries. It is characterised by massive masonry and round-headed arches inspired by ancient Roman models, and by the use of stylised ornament. In England it is often called Norman.
rose window		a large, circular window with heavily foliated tracery branching out from a common center.
shaft		the body of a column or pillar between the base and the capital. It is especially used for the small columns found around a window, door, or other opening. Shafts are generally round, but may also be polygonal.
spandrel		a wedge-shaped area of an arch.
spire		the pointed top of a tower.
Suger(-ius)		Abbot of the abbaye of St. Denis near Paris from 1122-1151 (born 1080 or 81, died 1151). Adviser of king Louis 6th. He was the prime spokesman for the elaboration of the gothic architectural style.
tie rods		steel rods placed between walls and piers or between piers to keep them from separating from each other.
tierceron		a type of ornamental vaulting rib.
tracery		the open-work pattern within an opening, especially the upper part of a window. Blind tracery is applied to a solid wall. Plate tracery has a decorative pattern of shapes cut through a solid surface, while in bar tracery the patterns are formed by shaped intersecting bands of stonework.
transept		in gothic cathedral architecture, the north and south projections or arms of a cross that they form with the nave.
trefoil		an architectural ornament having three lobes. Decorative element with three lobes.
triforium		the middle story, between the aisles and the clerestory, designed as a passage that is screened from the nave with an arcade of columns.
trumeau		a trumeau is a special jamb figure which is situated in the middle of a portal.
tympanum		a panel-like area above a portal or a doorway, usually heavily decorated with carved stones.
upper flyer		multi-arched flying buttress system.
vault		a curved ceiling.
voussoir		separate stones or components which compose the curve of an arch are called voussoirs. The center voussoir is the keystone.