<oo>→<med> Medieval Rus′

Author: Nancy Condee (condee@pitt.edu) Maintained by: David J. Birnbaum (djbpitt@gmail.com) Last modified: 2015-01-02T20:19:11+0000

Glossary of architectural terms

Aisle

portion of a church or basilica that parallels or encircles the major sections of the structure, such as the nave, choir, or apse

Apse

the semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or aisles of a church. The term generally denotes that part of the church where the clergy are seated or the altar placed

Arcade

a series of arches carried by columns or piers, a passageway between arches and a solid wall, or a covered walkway

Basilica

originally a building used by the Romans as a place for public meetings, with courtrooms, etc., attached. In earlier centuries of Christianity, the church built basilicas for worship using the plan developed by the Romans

Capital

crowning element of a column, pier, anta, pilaster, or other columnar form, providing a structural support for the horizontal element (entablature) or arch above

Cupola

small dome, often resembling an overturned cup, placed on a circular, polygonal, or square base or on small pillars or a glassed-in lantern. It is used to crown a turret, roof, or larger dome. The inner vault of a dome is also a cupola

Dome

hemispherical structure evolved from the arch, usually forming a ceiling or roof

Drum

a circular or polygonal wall supporting a dome or cupola. The term also refers to any of the cylindrical stone blocks composing a column that is not a monolith

Façade

the face of a building, especially the principal face or front

Gallery

any covered passage that is open at one side, such as a portico or a colonnade

Nave

central and principal part of a Christian church, extending from the entrance (the narthex) to the chancel (area around the altar). In a basilican church which has side aisles, nave refers only to the central aisle. The nave is that part of a church set apart for the laity

Pier

a solid vertical supporting element, usually stone, brick, or concrete, square or polygonal in section, and broad in relation to its height

Pilaster

shallow rectangular column that projects slightly beyond the wall into which it is built and conforms precisely to the order or style of the adjacent columns

Portico

colonnaded porch or entrance to a structure, or a covered walkway supported by regularly spaced columns

Spire

steeply pointed pyramidal or conical termination to a tower

Vault

a structural element consisting of an arrangement of arches, usually forming a ceiling or roof