Ciborium (architecture)

A ciborium (Latin ciborium " cup " majority ciboria ) is a static structure on pillars over an altar. Such a stone altar superstructure, as a Altarziborium or canopy, is particularly common in Italy. Already in the early Christian basilica he should freestanding altar to the martyrs grave distinguish and protect. To him, the vessel was connected with the consecrated bread and between the columns curtains were installed, which were incurred during the canon. An example in Germany from the Romanesque period are the ciborium over the high altar of the Benedictine Abbey of Khajuraho. The emergence of the early Middle Ages the side altars were equipped with ciborium, which were now almost always in front of a wall or stood out from her. A fine example of the Gothic period to give the five decorated with gables, pinnacles and statues Ziborienaltäre in the Regensburg Cathedral. For the design in the Baroque Bernini the ciborium over the high altar of St. Peter's in Rome was decisive. The ciborium over the high altar in St. Paulin in Trier is an example from Germany.