What are parts of a cathedral called?

The typical cathedral contains a narthex at the entrance, three aisles with the central being the nave, a transept that gives the church its cross shape, an open choir where the nave and transept meet, and an apse at the far end of the nave, containing the altar.

What are the pointy parts of a cathedral called?

spire, in architecture, steeply pointed pyramidal or conical termination to a tower. In its mature Gothic development, the spire was an elongated, slender form that was a spectacular visual culmination of the building as well as a symbol of the heavenly aspirations of pious medieval men.

What is a cathedral shape?

Most cathedrals are built in the shape of a cross. The main entrance is at the west end at the bottom of the cross.

What is a cathedral wing called?

Top Answers for CHURCH wing. 8 Letters: TRANSEPT.

What type of architecture is the Paris cathedral?

Notre-Dame de Paris. The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. The innovative use of the rib vault and flying buttress, the enormous and colorful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration all set it apart from earlier Romanesque architecture .

What are the parts of a church building called?

Architecture. The Church building is divided into three main parts: the narthex ( vestibule ), the nave (the temple proper) and the sanctuary (also called the altar or holy place ). A major difference of traditional Orthodox churches from Western churches is the absence of any pews in the nave.

What does the term cathedral refer to?

The word is shortened from the term cathedral church, in which it is used as an adjective. It is a church containing the cathedra — Latin for “chair” — of the bishop. In the ancient world, the chair was a symbol of both a teacher and a magistrate, and therefore ideal for representing the power and duties of the bishop.

What is church architecture?

Church architecture refers to the architecture of buildings of Christian churches. It has evolved over the two thousand years of the Christian religion, partly by innovation and partly by imitating other architectural styles as well as responding to changing beliefs, practices and local traditions.