In architecture, an apse (plural apses; from Latin 'arch, vault' from Ancient Greek 'arch'; sometimes written apsis, plural apsides) is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical Vault (architecture), vault or semi-dome, also known as an ''exedra''. In Byzantine architecture, Byzantine, Romanesque architecture, Romanesque, and Gothic architecture, Gothic Architecture of cathedrals and great churches, Christian church architecture, church (including cathedral and abbey) architecture, the term is applied to a semi-circular or polygonal termination of the main building at the liturgical east and west, liturgical east end (where the altar is), regardless of the shape of the roof, which may be flat, sloping, domed, or hemispherical. Smaller apses are found elsewhere, especially in shrines.

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 (architecture), choir or sanctuary, or sometimes at the end of an aisle. Smaller apses are sometimes built in other parts of the church, especially for Reliquary, reliquaries or Shrine, shrines of saints.

History

The domed apse became a standard part of the church plan in the early Christian era.

Related features

In the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, the south apse is known as the diaconicon and the north apse as the prothesis (altar), prothesis. Various ecclesiastical features of which the apse may form part are drawn together here.

Chancel

The chancel (or sanctuary), orientation of churches, directly to the east beyond the choir (architecture), choir, contains the High Altar, where there is one (compare communion table). This area is reserved for the clergy, and was therefore formerly called the "presbytery", from Greek language, Greek ''presbuteros'', "Elder (religious), elder", or in older and Catholic usage "priest".

Chevet-apse chapels

Semi-circular choirs, first developed in the East, which came into use in France in 470. By the onset of the 13th century, they had been augmented with radiating apse chapels outside the choir aisle, the entire structure of apse, choir and radiating chapels coming to be known as the ''chevet'' (French, "headpiece")."Chevet"
''Encyclopædia Britannica''

Gallery

Giulia1.JPG, Triple apse of Basilica di Santa Giulia, northern Italy Stouen2.jpg, East end of the abbey church of Saint-Ouen, showing the ''chevet'', Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France Église Notre-Dame de la Dalbade (Interieur) - Voutes.jpg, A chevet apse vault, Toulouse, France West Dean - St Marys Church - geograph.org.uk - 994828.jpg, Apsed chancel of St Mary's Church, West Dean, Wiltshire, England Monreale-bjs-3.jpg, The decorated apse of the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily Manila Cathedral altar.jpg, The apse of Manila Cathedral, Philippines Jona (SG) - Busskirch St Martin IMG 9213 ShiftN.jpg, The apse of ''St. Martin'' church in Busskirch, community Jona, Switzerland, Jona, Switzerland

References

* Joseph Nechvatal, "Immersive Excess in the Apse of Lascaux", Technonoetic Arts 3, no. 3, 2005.

External links

* This has a detailed description of examples in the early church. {{Authority control Arches and vaults Church architecture