Glossary A – C
ABBAZIA – ABBEY: an autonomous monastery governed by an abbot.
ABSIDE – ABSID: architectural structure with a semicircular or polygonal plan, located at the end of the central nave of a church and sometimes of the side aisles. Covered by a quarter sphere vault called “basin” or “basin” apse.
ACQUASANTIERA – WATERBOARD: blessed water container placed at the entrance of churches.
ARCATA – ARCH: arched opening made in the thickness of a wall.
ARCHITRAVE: horizontal beam, also ornamented, resting on pillars or columns.
ARCHIVAL: surface, or decorative band, that revolves around the arch.
ARCO – ARCH: an architectural structure supported by curvilinear elements resting on pillars or columns; in churches it often separates the central nave from the side aisles. The arch can normally be round (the curve draws a semicircle, typical of the Romanesque style) or pointed (in the curve there is a “point” in the center, typical of the Gothic style).
BADIA: synonymous with “abbey” [see “abbey”]
BIFORA – MULLIONED WINDOW: window vertically divided into two parts by a column or pillar.
CAMPATA – AISLE: in the nave of a church, the space between four columns or pillars.
CAPITELLO – CAPITAL: architectural element placed in the upper part of a column or a pillar.
CAPRIATA – TRUSS: triangular support structure used for roofs (in wood in ancient structures).
COLONNA – COLUMN: vertical support element with circular section; it can be smooth or grooved.
CORINZIO – CORINTHIAN: classic architectural order characterized by a decoration with leaves of Acanthus.
CROCIERA – CROSS VAULT: vault characterized by two diagonal arches crossed.