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Altar's curved niche
An apse is a semicircular or polygonal recess in a building, typically found at the east end of a church where it often houses the altar.
The curved wall and domed ceiling of an apse create an acoustically and visually distinct space that draws attention to what it contains.
The mosaic in the apse depicted Christ in majesty.
Apses appear in ancient Roman architecture as well, particularly in basilicas and bath complexes.
Altar-adjacent clergy space
- naveChurch's main interior
- transeptChurch's lateral wing
- ambulatoryAble to walk
- clerestoryElevated fenestrated church wall
narthex · choir · basilica · cathedral · abbey · crossing · sanctuary · sacristy
Semicircular architectural form
- conchSpiral-shelled marine gastropod
- nicheRecessed wall space
- rotundaCircular domed chamber
- polygonalHaving many straight sides
curved · rounded · recess · alcove · projection · termination · bay window · tribune
Rounded vault forming roof
- cupolaSmall rooftop dome
- conchSpiral-shelled marine gastropod
- barrel vaultContinuous arched ceiling structure
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
spandrel · coffered · mosaic · fresco · painted ceiling · squinch · lantern · oculus
Sacred ritual table
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
- chancelAltar-adjacent clergy space
- presbyteryClergy dwelling or sanctuary
communion · paten · credence · baldachin · crucifix · candelabra · liturgy · consecration
Temple's inner room
- templeSacred worship structure
- RomanOf ancient Italy's capital
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
- basilicaColonnaded church with apse
tribunal · peristyle · hemicycle · Pantheon · bath house · reception hall
chancel
Altar-adjacent clergy space
- naveChurch's main interior
- transeptChurch's lateral wing
- ambulatoryAble to walk
clerestory · narthex · choir · basilica · cathedral · abbey · crossing · sanctuary · sacristy · buttress
hemicycle
Semicircular architectural form
polygonal · curved · rounded · recess · alcove · projection · termination · bay window · tribune · ambulatory
dome
Rounded vault forming roof
- cupolaSmall rooftop dome
- conchSpiral-shelled marine gastropod
- barrel vaultContinuous arched ceiling structure
keystone · spandrel · coffered · mosaic · fresco · painted ceiling · squinch · lantern · oculus · shell
altar
Sacred ritual table
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- tabernaclePortable sacred dwelling
- chancelAltar-adjacent clergy space
presbytery · communion · paten · credence · baldachin · crucifix · candelabra · liturgy · consecration · mass
naos
Temple's inner room
- templeSacred worship structure
- RomanOf ancient Italy's capital
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
basilica · tribunal · peristyle · hemicycle · Pantheon · bath house · reception hall
mosaic
Inlaid pictorial arrangement
- frescoWet plaster painting technique
- stained glassColored window art
- iconPictorial screen symbol
mural · gilding · marble · tesserae · Byzantine · Romanesque · painted · ornament · tracery · Virgin Mary
- architectureEiffel Tower, buildings, architects, design, thatching
- churchnave, pew, pews, altar, altars
- building partsfacades, wall, door, windows, floor
- Chapelschapel bells, chapel choir, college chapel, hospital chapel, memorial chapel
- sacred placestemple complex, basilica, abbey, church, chapel
- recessesrecess, alcove, niche, nook, cubbyhole