What is a Chevet?

Definition of chevet

: the apsidal eastern termination of a church choir typically having a surrounding ambulatory that opens onto a number of radiating apses or chapels —used especially of French Gothic architecture.

What is the purpose of a chevet?

noun. (in large churches) an apse with an ambulatory giving access behind the high altar to a series of chapels set in bays.

What is a Chevette in church?

chevet, eastern end of a church, especially of a Gothic church designed in the French manner.

What do you mean by apse?

Definition. An apse is a semicircular recess, often covered with a hemispherical vault. Commonly, the apse of a church, cathedral or basilica is the semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir or sanctuary, or sometimes at the end of an aisle.

What are radiating chapels?

In a church, projecting chapels arranged radially around the ambulatory of a semicircular or polygonal liturgical east end. See chevet. A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

CHEVET: Wakefield Parish #8 of 30

What is an ambulatory in a church?

ambulatory, in architecture, continuation of the aisled spaces on either side of the nave (central part of the church) around the apse (semicircular projection at the east end of the church) or chancel (east end of the church where the main altar stands) to form a continuous processional way.

Where is the narthex in a church?

narthex, long, narrow, enclosed porch, usually colonnaded or arcaded, crossing the entire width of a church at its entrance.

What is an apse in the Catholic church?

apse, in architecture, a semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir, chancel, or aisle of a secular or ecclesiastical building. First used in pre-Christian Roman architecture, the apse often functioned as an enlarged niche to hold the statue of a deity in a temple.

What is the apse of St Peter's basilica?

Peter's Basilica. St. Peter's Basilica, located in Vatican City, is perhaps the most famous Christian worship space in the world.

What is apse in art?

apse: A vaulted extension or projection, usually from a choir or chapel and generally circular or polygonal in shape. Contrast with niche.

What is the aisle around the apse called?

Aisle - Aisle, portion of a church or basilica that parallels or encircles the major sections of the structure, such as the nave, choir, or apse (aisles around the apse are usually called ambulatories). The aisle is often set off by columns or by an arcade.

What is a nave in a church?

nave, central and principal part of a Christian church, extending from the entrance (the narthex) to the transepts (transverse aisle crossing the nave in front of the sanctuary in a cruciform church) or, in the absence of transepts, to the chancel (area around the altar).

Why is the apse in the east?

The first Christians faced east when praying, likely an outgrowth of the ancient Jewish custom of praying in the direction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Due to this established custom, Tertullian says some non-Christians thought they worshipped the sun.

What is the chancel used for in a church?

chancel, portion of a church that contains the choir, often at the eastern end. Before modern changes in church practice, only clergy and choir members were permitted in the chancel.

What are the 4 black pillars in St. Peter's Basilica?

Peter's Basilica. The four pillars of the Baldachin are spiral and were brought from Jerusalem. For this structure, the bronze used was taken from the pantheon. The baldacchino also features motifs directly denoting the noble Barberini family, where Pope Urban VIII was born.

What are the black pillars in St. Peter's Basilica?

The baldachin is surmounted, at the corners, by four angels holding garlands of laurel. In between the angels are pairs of putti, two sporting the keys and tiara of St Peter, two sporting the sword and book of St Paul. The baldachin was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII (r.

Who's buried in the Vatican?

About 90 popes are buried in the papal tombs, including the first pope, St. Peter the Apostle; popes buried within the church itself are St. Leo I, St. Gregory the Great, Urban VIII, St.

Is sanctuary in a church legal?

While the practice of churches offering sanctuary is still observed in the modern era, it no longer has any legal effect and is respected solely for the sake of tradition. The term 'sanctuary' is also used to denote the part of the church which contains the main, or "high altar".

What are the focal points in the apse of a church?

At its focal point in the semi-dome of the apse, it commonly presented either Christ in Majesty or Christ the Redeemer enthroned within a mandorla and framed by the four winged beasts, symbols of the Four Evangelists.

What is the purpose of the chapels along the sides of the apse?

The pilgrims entered the church and found their way to the chapel or altar of their desire—therefore, the side aisles made an efficient path for pilgrims to come and go without disrupting the daily services. Development of this plan over time shows that very soon the apse was elongated, adding more room to the choir.

What does a narthex look like?

The original meaning of a Christian church narthex is a porch on the west end of a church just outside the nave. Many times the narthex is covered or even inside the church building rather than an outside porch, though it can be that, as well.

Does a Catholic church have a narthex?

The word Narthex is Greek for “giant funnel”. In the modern Catholic Church it is the entry hall we pass through as we enter the church. It may also be referred to as vestibule or gathering space.

What is another name for narthex?

n. foyer, lobby, entrance hall, vestibule, antechamber, anteroom, hall, portico.

What is the difference between ambulatory and non ambulatory?

More Definitions of Non-ambulatory

Non-ambulatory means unable to walk without assistance of other persons. Non-ambulatory means a person who is unable to walk, but who may be mobile with the help of a wheelchair or other mobility devices. Non-ambulatory means unable to walk without assistance.