transepts

Cathedral's lateral arms

Transepts are the transverse arms of a cross-shaped church, extending at right angles to the nave.

They give the floor plan its cruciform shape, intersecting at the crossing where nave meets chancel.

The north and south transepts each contained small chapels.

The singular transept refers to either arm or the entire transverse section.

architecture

nave

Church's main interior

crossingPoint where paths intersect
chancelAltar-adjacent clergy space
aisleCorridor between seating sections

ambulatory · clerestory · choir · sanctuary · narthex · altar · quire · basilica · cruciform · buttress

cruciform

arms

Upper body limbs

Latin crossCross with extended bottom
Greek crossCross with equal arms
symmetryInvariance under transformation

axis · perpendicular · intersecting · wings · projection · plan · layout

ecclesiastical

cathedral

Bishop's principal church

minsterImportant church, historically monastic
abbeyMonastic house of worship
chapelSmall worship room

parish church · basilica · priory · collegiate church · Romanesque · Byzantine · liturgy · processional · clergy · congregation

features

rose window

Circular tracery-filled window

portalImposing entrance or gate
doorwayPassage into a room
gableTriangular wall portion

pinnacle · tracery · sculpture · tympanum · blind arcade · oculus · facade · entrance

Categories

church architecturealtar, altars, nave, naves, aisle
Gothic artgothic architecture, Gothic art, pointed arches, rose windows, tracery
sacred architecturechurch, churches, cathedral, cathedrals, temple

Opposites

church architectural orientation

transeptsnave

Church's main interior

central aisle · chancel · choir · sanctuary · apse

Family

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