Apse

The apse or apses (Greek ἁψίς Hapsis, vault ' ) is a semi-circular or polygonal ground plan, often rectangular or square space part which connects to a main room.

Definition

Apses are typical constituents of ancient basilicas ( market or halls of justice ). You emerge usually from the wall surface, but can also be in the building or be encased rectangular. The apse is usually covered by a semi-dome, the Apsiskalotte, but may also have a flat ceiling or a roof. A small apse, most of the transept and side chapels is called apsidiole. Apses differ from wall niches by their size and accessibility.

History and forms

Antiquity

The Apsidenform comes from the exedra and Tribuna of the Greek and Roman secular - sacred and secular building. Not infrequently, the longitudinal axis of Roman basilicas was by two opposite apses marked ( Volubilis, Leptis Magna ) - a constellation that is also found in some major churches of the Middle Ages (eg, Trier Cathedral, Cathedral of Nevers, and others).

In the ancient architecture in many niches are used as components in order to highlight parts of a room, as architectural decoration and as a framework ( shrine ) for statues and sculptures. The basilicas of the Roman Empire often have at one end an apse for the imperial statue. Thus, the apse can also be understood as a character niche. A consistent orientation of apses is not observed in ancient buildings, although gradually put an east -west orientation.

From the basilicas of the Roman Empire, the Christian church derives, which takes over the apse. After the so-called " Edict of Milan " (313, recognition of Christianity ) the Christian architecture and sculpture took a sharp upturn. As the first major Christian basilica the Lateran Church (319 ) had an apse for the raised altar.

In many churches, the eastern completion of the sanctuary - the input and the church tower opposite - semicircular apse as. There is the slightly raised platform for the altar. In late antiquity, it was often provided with a wooden or brick priests Bank, the synthronon.

Since that time, the choir apse of Christian churches is mostly oriented towards the east. This traditional focus liberalized in the Renaissance and Baroque.

Middle Ages

While in the early church the apse directly adjoins the nave of the church or at the transept to the Carolingian period, and later joins the Chorbau as a separate space in between. In Romanesque and Gothic apses form with elongated shapes with choir house the focal point of the church building. Romanesque apses are also clearly visible from the outside and there is often more detailed.

A variant of the Taukreuzkirchen who have a long nave and in the crossbar of the T comprise three apses (see Santissima Trinità di Saccargia ). This goes back to Byzantine tradition design is common in Sardinia. Art historians consider a connection with the clunyazensischen religious reform. Also, two churches in the Spanish Ávila have triple apses. Similarly, Carolingian hall churches find with three apses in the Alps ( Müstair ). Doppelapsiden occur occasionally in churches with two Patrozinien on (formerly Reichenau- cell means ). An apse can be referred to as conch, especially in the triconch choirs. Sometimes the apse serves not as a sanctuary but as entrance vestibule with porch. Especially in the German-speaking world for double churches are common with eastern and western apse since the Carolingian period.

Under the apse and the choir bay Romanesque collegiate churches often is the crypt.

In the High and Late Romanesque and Gothic periods, the chapels of the ambulatory developed (behind the chancel / choir ). As the " apse " refers to only the inner choir area of the presbytery ( choir ), the sanctuary, which is separated by the ambulatory of the outer wall.

Artistic design

As a liturgical most momentous place inside a church apses were highlighted by monumental mosaic jewelry already in the late antique churches in Rome and Ravenna. On the exterior the apse remains, however, at this time still relatively unadorned.

Romanesque apses (but also smaller arched niches ) are often artistically designed - for instance with a single image (usually Christ ), a narrative sequence ( frescoes ) or with mosaics. Even tile decorations and artistic grave stones found there and - from the Gothic - statues of saints.

The initially rather rare and small glass window in the course of development, more frequent and larger. The frequency of paintings increases - esp. in the Baroque, the apse is occasionally enlarged by perspective, for example in Cuneo.

Romanesque apses are clearly visible from the outside and its eastern semicircle divided often richly and artistically designed (see Weblink St. Gereon ). Strange allegorical small sculptures can be found in Schöngrabern (Lower Austria ) and in some churches of France and Italy.

More common, however, is the style element of the dwarf galleries - about the imperial cathedrals of Speyer, Worms, and the late Romanesque churches in Cologne. As a dwarf gallery arcade is called, which orbits a larger apse just under her roof. Although now primarily decorative function, it can be walked on.

Polygonapsiden and polygonal choir conclusions

In the Romanesque apses are usually semicircular, but in some regions of the polygonal choir circuit, in which the apse consists of several straight wall sections spread (Lorraine and Moselle area - Cathedral of Trier, Munstermaifeld; Upper Rhine - Basel Münster, Provence - Alet -les- Bains ). The polygon is the standard form of the chorus circuit (eg Regensburger Dom) in the Gothic style. This style is no longer sets the apse as a separate construction from the choir, but it is unified whole with the architecture of the choir. Therefore, one usually speaks not of an apse, but by a chorus circuit. The geometric design is made so that a halved polygon (polygon ) is drawn in the final chorus. If it is an octagon, of the five sides are under construction, one speaks of a five -eighth circuit. Accordingly, there is the 5/10tel-Schluss, 7/12tel-Schluss etc.

Pictures

Apse of the parish church Treffurt

Late Romanesque apse of the village church Vietlübbe

Three apses with straight end of the Visigothic church of Santa Lucía del Trampal

Niches in synagogues and mosques

The apses similar, but smaller and less frequent outwardly protruding from the wall niche-like forms also occur in non-Christian religious building. In the synagogues of the Jews a wall niche serves as the ark; as the Mihrab in Islamic mosques, it often indicates the direction of prayer.