Exedra

The exedra (plural exedrae ) is an African -like space that opens on to a courtyard, space or hall. They can be designed freely or with a column position.

Ancient Architecture

In ancient Greece, was the ἐξέδρα exhédra, also the εξέδριον exhédrion, a specially designed, elevated niche or the open or covered platform as cultivation of a large public gathering space, about the peristyle or in the gymnasium, and is used with seats as " common room " in the sense of a private room the more private conversation, or the reading and discussion in small circles.

You will find the entrance to the Roman Villa ( exedrium ), and there is interior design element as the next room ( the green room, consulting room ) or in the bathroom.

In the Hellenistic period it develops parallel to the shrine, the prior niche for religious and secular statues and statuettes.

Christian church

In early Christian times the shape of the exedra was also adopted for increased apse of a church building and is also found in the early Christian basilicas. There she is usually on the narrow side, opposite the exit to the forum. It corresponds to the concept apse, chancel '. Augustine mentions it as gradus exedrae already in the sense of presbytery / choir. It also serves as a place of the seat of the bishop ( cathedra ) and other priests ( synthronon ).

From the exedra of the main apse and the Mehrfachapsiden ( apse ) in the Romanesque and Byzantine art the chapel designed in the Gothic, as chapels of the ambulatory (behind the chancel / choir, the ' accept the name, apse ), as well as the side chapels of the side altars in the nave and transept ship.

Secular building from the Renaissance

The exedra is also input into the formal language of the Renaissance, also detached from the building. Vitruvius compares the rotunda. In the garden is the ancient art form, resumed as a kind of platform to a garden wall, which offers a view of the city or the valley (for example, at the Villa d' Este, 16th century).

About the mannerism, the muschelfömige Konche of Baroque and Rococo forms.

Archeology

In the Italian and Maltese archeology is called a half-round - oval, usually paved forecourt or lying on such a forecourt facade of a prehistoric cult building Exedra (Italian Esedra ). In particular, the spaces in front of the Maltese temples or Sardinian giants graves are designated as Exedra.

Architecture Examples

Piazza Esedra Rome

Exedra before Maltese temple