Aedicula

A shrine, majority aedicules (Latin aedicula, majority aediculae ), is a small ancient structure or style element.

Originally aedicula a diminutive of aedes, which means a house or a temple specifically, accordingly aedicula a small house or " temple ". In particular aedicula called small replicas of temples, which served as a decoration Sacellum, a walled sanctuary, as is typical for the oldest Roman cults. This aediculae were then usually small buildings with a niche in which was the cult image of the deity.

In this reduced form aedicules appear as an architectural element: a small wall construction which saw a temple front similar and in which there was a statue. Later, each supporting structure, which consisted of columns, piers or pilasters and a triangular or segmental arch pediment and a niche framed, shrine was called. This style element is found in the Hellenistic and Roman architectural style as well as in the ATTACHING to the ancient architectural styles renaissance, baroque and classicism. The shrine usually served it to subdivide large wall surfaces. It is commonly found on large doors, gates or triumphal arches and large buildings such as baths and palaces. In the Middle Ages a small private chapel (usually a grave chapel ) so called.

In particular, it may be:

• Shrine in the sense of a Larariums,
• Tomb or Part of a tomb with urn or a portrait of the dead,
• Small antique temple,
• Smaller setup for shooting a still image
• Framing of niches or windows by column or with a small roof and gable ( Cottage Scene - triangular gable ).

The last two meanings are often used in the context of an apse or a facade.

There are forms of shrine that do not lean directly on antique models. These come in modern architecture, including in public areas in front.

In Roman wall painting, especially the Antonine Wall painting the shrine is a frequent motive for creating an illusionistic architecture. Already in the second style of Pompeian wall paintings there is this image with the same task.

In the Greek culture space corresponds to the shrine of naiskos.