cathedrals
Bishops' home churches
Cathedrals is the plural of cathedral, a large and important church serving as the seat of a bishop.
The word often evokes grand Gothic architecture—vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses, stained glass.
Figuratively, any imposing structure with similar qualities might be called a cathedral: cathedrals of commerce, cathedrals of learning.
Church's main interior
- transeptChurch's lateral wing
- apseVaulted church recess
- vaultSecure storage chamber
- spireTapering architectural peak
facade · clerestory · chancel · ambulatory · crypt · dome · arch · column
Quantity of matter
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- sermonClergy's worship address
- communionProfound shared closeness
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
prayer · vespers · congregation · clergy · bishop · rector · vicar · choir
Prolonged reflected sound
- echoReflected sound wave
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- choirOrganized group of singers
- organBody's working component
chant · gregorian · polyphony · hymn · anthem · sonority · sustain · amplification
Decorative architectural waterspout
- traceryDecorative branching stonework
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- lancetSmall surgical knife
- clerestoryElevated fenestrated church wall
finial · ogee · quatrefoil · trefoil · grotesque · boss · spire · buttress
Pass from side to side
- crucifixCross with Christ figure
- altarSacred ritual table
- candlesWax lights with wicks
- bellsStruck metal sound-makers
icons · iconography · halo · dove · lamb · triptych · saints · angel
Of the Middle Ages
- restorationReturning something to condition
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- monumentStructure honoring someone remembered
antiquity · pilgrimage · UNESCO · landmark · masonry · archaeology · chronicle · relic
nave
Church's main interior
spire · facade · clerestory · chancel · ambulatory · crypt · dome · arch · column · buttress
mass
Quantity of matter
sacrament · prayer · vespers · congregation · clergy · bishop · rector · vicar · choir · hymns
reverberation
Prolonged reflected sound
- echoReflected sound wave
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- choirOrganized group of singers
organ · chant · gregorian · polyphony · hymn · anthem · sonority · sustain · amplification · vibration
gargoyle
Decorative architectural waterspout
clerestory · finial · ogee · quatrefoil · trefoil · grotesque · boss · spire · buttress · foil
cross
Pass from side to side
bells · icons · iconography · halo · dove · lamb · triptych · saints · angel · fresco
medieval
Of the Middle Ages
- restorationReturning something to condition
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
monument · antiquity · pilgrimage · UNESCO · landmark · masonry · archaeology · chronicle · relic · tapestry
refuge
Place of safety
shelter · sanctum · cloister · sacred · hallowed · peace · serenity · solace · protection · sacrosanct
- cultural heritagefolklore, traditions, customs, folk music revival, museum collections
- Medieval Europekings, queens, knights, castles, castle
- Medieval Historyfeudalism, Black Death, crusades, crusade, knight
- architecture toursguided tours, walking tours, historic buildings, landmarks, Art Deco buildings
- European travelParis, Eiffel Tower, Rome, Big Ben, London
- heritage sitesWorld Heritage Site, historic landmarks, Machu Picchu, monument, cultural landmarks
cathedralschapels
Small worship rooms
parish churches · village churches · storefront churches · house churches · oratories
cathedralsbrothels
Establishments for paid sex
warehouses · factories · shopping malls · casinos · slaughterhouses
- St. Paul's CathedralLondon's principal Anglican church
- cathedral choirSingers in large church
- Canterbury CathedralHistoric English mother church
- European cathedralsGrand historic churches abroad
- Notre-Dame CathedralMedieval Parisian basilica
- medieval cathedralLarge historic Christian edifice