Arch 351 Exam 1 Terms

Mandala

A magic diagram of the cosmos made from overlaid geometric patterns, used throughout India as the basis for the plan of monumental religious structures. eg. Angkor Wat, Cambodia, 1130

Gopura

A monumental gateway into a Hindu temple. eg. Rajarajesvara, Thanjavur, India ca. 1000

Shikhara

A pyramidal tower built over the sanctuary (garbha griha) of a Hindu temple. eg. Rajarajesvara, Thanjavur, India ca.1000; feature of hindu temples; Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho 945; Kadariya Temple, Khanjuraho, India, 1020

Quibla

The prescribed Muslim alignment to Mecca to which all mosques and tombs are oriented. eg. Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain 785-990; Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech, Morocco, ca 1150

Sahn

The open courtyard of an Islamic building. eg. Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain 785-990

Minaret

A tall, slender tower at a mosque, from which the faithful are called to prayer by the crier, or muezzin. eg. Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech, Morroco, ca. 1150

Mihrab

A niche in the qibla wall of a Muslim religious building indicating the direction toward Mecca. eg. Great Mosque, Cordoba Spain 785-990; Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech, Morroco, ca. 1150

Maksura

The screened-off area near the mihrab niche for the ruling elite in a royal mosque. eg. Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain 750-990

Muqarnas

Honeycomb, or stalactite, decoration of a vault or overhang, usually made with plaster as a succession of small niches.

ablaq

Arabic term for alternating bands of colored stones in Islamic masonry, derived from Byzantine opus mixtum. eg. Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain 750-990

westwork

The narthex, chapels, and twin towers set at the west entrance of Carolingian churches. Palace of Charlemagne, Aachen, Germany, ca.800, design Oto of Metz (Palace of Charlemagne, 792-804)

cloister

A monastery courtyard, usually planted, enclosed by a covered ambulatory. eg. Abbey of Cluny, France 909, 955-981, 1088-1130; Palace of Charlemagne, Aachen Germany, 792-804; Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, Italy ,1150

Abbey

A Christian monastery or convent and its church. eg. Abbey of Cluny, France 909, 955-981, 1088-1130

Chevet

A series of radiating chapels extending from the apse of a Gothic church. eg. st. Foye, Conques, France 1060-1140

relic/reliquary

The body parts, clothing, or objects associated with a holy figure, such as the Buddha or Christ or a Christian saint.

A container for holding relics. eg. St Foye, Conques, France 1060-1140

tympanum

Half-round panel that fills the space between the lintel and arch over the doorway of the church. eg. St Foye, Conques, France 1060-1140

arcade

A series of arches on columns or piers , either freestanding or attached to a wall; A covered walk lined with shops and offices, lit from a glazed ceiling. Lower level of cathedrals. eg. Durham Cathedral, England, begun 1093

gallery

An upper story open on one side either to an interior space or to the exterior. In a church , the gallery runs above the side aisles and opens to the nave. Middle level in elevation in a cathedral. Durham Cathedral, England, begun 1093

clerestory

A window, usually in a series, disposed at an upper level , above head height. Upper level of windows in a romanesque cathedral. Durham Cathedral, England, begun 1093

nave

The taller central space in either an ancient Roman basilica or a Christian church lit by clerestories and flanked by aisles. eg. St. Foye, Conques, France, 1060-1140

aisle

A lateral division of a Christian church or an ancient Roman basilica running parallel to the central nave and separated from it by colonnades. eg. St Foye, Conques, France, 1060-1140

crossing

The intersection of the nave and the transept in a Christian church eg. St Foye, Conques, France, 1060-1140

transept

The transverse arms of a cross-shaped church , crossing the main axis at a right angle. eg. St Foye, Conques, France 1060-1140

chior

The part of a church where the singers sit, either incorporated with the chancel or directly in front of it. eg. St. Foye, Conques, France, 1060-1140

ambulatory

A processional passageway around a shrine or flanking the apse of a Christian church. eg. Palace of Charlemagne, Aachen, Germany, 792-804

Qasba (Casbah)

Major Street that straight through the middle of two palaces in Mamluk, Cairo

Iwan

A large vaulted space open at one end used in Islamic palaces, mosques, and madrasas.eg. Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hasan al-Naasir, Cairo 1350s

madrasa

An Islamic theological or law school. eg. Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hasan al-Naasir, Cairo 1350s

Greek cross

A cross with four arms of equal length , often used in the plan of Byzantine churches. eg. Piazza S. Marco, Venice, Itlay, 1063-1094, facade 12th- 13th c.

tracery

A pattern of curvilinear, perforated ornament within the upper part of a medieval window or screen. eg. Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartes, 1194-1225

bastide

A new town in southwest France, preplanned and often laid out on an orthogonal grid. eg. Carcassonne, Franc, rebuilt 1240s

rib vault

In Gothic cathedrals, the articulation of groin vaults (The cross-vault spanning a bay). eg. Durham Cathedral, England begun 1093; Abbey Church, St Denis 1130-1144

flying butress

An arch or half-arch that transfers the thrust of a vault or roof from an upper part of a wall to an external pylon. eg. Notre Dame Cathedra, Chartres, 1194-1225

narthex

The transverse vestibule of an early Christian church. eg. Abbey Church, St. Denis, 1130-1144

rayonnant

Late Gothic style in which structures were made of increasingly thin, branching members. eg. Nortre Dame Cathedral, Chartes, 1194-1225

banco

A wet-mud construction process, also called cob, in

which balls of mud are stacked in spirals.

hajj

The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the last month of the year, and that all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime.