New! The Gothic Field Guide translated in Belorussian provided by Galina Miklosic at Webhostinggeeks.
- circular aisle which wraps around the apse.
- (Lat. apsis, an arch) The semicircular or polygonal termination
to the choir or aisles of a church. See cathedral and
- the pointed arch is widely regarded as the main identifiable
feature of Gothic architecture (distinct from the round arch of
the Romanesque period). The most common Gothic arches are the
Lancet, Equilateral and Ogee.
boss - highly decorated carving found in ceilings, used
to conceal the breaks in vault work.
- a mass of stone built up to support a wall, usually necessary
to strengthen those of great height. See flying buttress.
capital - the cap or crown to a column,
usually heavily decorated.
- (cathedra, seat or throne) the principal church of a
province or diocese, where the throne of the bishop is placed.
By tradition, a cathedral always faces west - toward the setting
sun while congregants face east toward the rising sun - a symbol
of Christ's ascension into heaven.
The main body, or nave, of the cathedral is usually
divided into one main, and two side aisles. These lead up to the
north and south transepts, or arms of the cross, the shape
in which a cathedral is traditionally set out.
- part of the altar for the clergy or choir, bordered by
- the recesses on the sides of aisles in cathedrals and abbey
churches. Sometimes known as chantries.
House - administrative center of a cathedral, traditionally
organized for overseeing construction.
choir - the area of the main altar where
services are sung, located between the crossing and the apse.
screen - decorated screen of wood or stone separating the
choir from the rest of the cathedral.
cinquefoil - in tracery, having five pendants
in a circular ring; usually applied to windows and panels. See
- 'clear story,' the upper story of a church where it rises above
the aisle roof. Window openings, usually of stained glass, allow
extra light into the interior.
(Lat. claustrum) - an inner courtyard or central square
closed by the four sides of a monastery sometimes situated
on the south side of a cathedral. The walkway, or ambulatory,
is usually protected by a roof supported by columns.
column - a cylindrical support, usually
capped by a decorated capital. See also wreathed column.
- a projecting bracket, sometimes carved and decorated, used to
help support weight from above.
- a small ornament projecting from the sloping angles of pinnacles,
spires, etc., typically depicting stylized foliage.
crossing - intersection of the nave,
transepts & chancel.
crypt - area below the cathedral traditionally
reserved for burial chambers.
dripstone - a small, sometimes decorated
stone incorporated into door or window jambs to throw rain water
clear of the opening.
embattlements - A parapet with indentations or embrasures
as seen here, at left, capping a medieval town gate.
molding - having indentions
like those of a battlement.
tracery vaulting - a system
of ceiling vaulting with all ribs having the same curve, resembling
the folds of a fan.
- the top or finishing stone of a pinnacle.
- a buttress arched over at the top to engage with a main wall.
A principal feature of Gothic architecture, lending strength and
solidity to the main structure.
gablet - a gable-shaped stone that crowns a buttress.
porch - a porch at the western end of a church
or cathedral; a biblical reference to Christ leading his disciples
after the resurrection into Galilee.
- a spout usually carved in the shape of an animal or demon,
and connected to a gutter for throwing rain water from the roof
of a building. See
Gothic Field Guide Spotlight.
green man - an ancient symbol of man's deep
connection to nature; a decorative Gothic carving characterized
by a human face sprouting foliage.
- a carving usually of a demon, dragon, or half human/half animal,
serving no utilitarian purpose. Often confused with gargoyles.
- the row of stones on which an arch rests.
- the stones forming the side of a door or window.
figures - located on either
side of the main portal door; the first carved figures a visitor
meets on a visit to a Gothic cathedral. Traditionally depicting
Old Testament prophets or martyred saints.
- the central stone of an arch that locks the other units in place.
arch - a Gothic pointed arch usually applied to long, narrow
windows. See arch.
chapel - the easternmost chapel
of a cathedral, intended for quiet contemplation and the occasional
(Lt. mercy)- pivoting wooden seats in choir stalls. They
were lifted up to provide relief for clergy who had to stand during
long church services. Misericords are often highly carved.
More at Resources:
- stone piers dividing a window into two or more lights.
(Lt. a ship) - the main body of a church or cathedral.
Sometimes defined as the central aisle only.
newel - the supporting upright
pillar around which winding steps, or winders, are supported;
typically found in cathedral and castle architecture of the Middle
(Fr. a nest) - a recess in a wall for the reception of
- a small circular or eye-shaped window.
- the "s" shaped molding that universally typifies Gothic. See
window - appearing in chapels,
public and private houses in the Gothic style, a window that projects
from the outer face of a wall and supported by corbels. Also known
as a bay window.
style - the name given to late
15th century English Gothic architecture as lines became longer
and carving more elaborate. Also know as Flamboyant style.
pew - wooden seats or benches to seat the
congregation, appearing only toward the end of the medieval period.
- a slender, pointed summit placed on top of buttresses, gables,
tracery - the simplest, earliest
form of tracery, ca. 1300.
porch - a projecting, enclosed
doorway, usually a side entrance located at the north and south
transepts of a cathedral.
quatrafoil - tracery constructed
from four foils.
- a corner stone.
- added support over a window or doorway, to bear the weight of
the masonry wall above.
reredos - a decorative
screen behind the altar, usually highly carved.
- a large, circular window with heavily foliated tracery branching
out from a common center. More
at The Virtual Gothic Cathedral
- the horizontal stone which the first arch stone rests upon,
or springs from.
- ornamental stonework most often seen supporting window glass
in the form of trifoils and cinquefoils. Sometimes used
merely as decoration on panels and moldings and then called 'blind'
at Tips & Tricks to Gothic
- in cathedral architecture, the north and south projections or
"arms" of the cross. See porch, cathedral.
tracery in three foils. See
- a panel above a main portal, or doorway, usually heavily decorated.
vault - an arched ceiling.
- a wedge-shaped component of an arch. The center voussoir is
columns - those twisted in the
shape of a screw as illustrated, right.
- an ornamental molding in both Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Also known as dancette or chevron molding.