The nave (/neɪv/) is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel.[1][2] When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type building, the strict definition of the term "nave" is restricted to the central aisle.[1] In a broader, more colloquial sense, the nave includes all areas available for the lay worshippers, including the side-aisles and transepts.[3] Either way, the nave is distinct from the area reserved for the choir and clergy.[1]
Plan of a large Latin cross church with nave highlighted
The nave extends from the entry—which may have a separate vestibule (the narthex)—to the chancel and may be flanked by lower side-aisles[4] separated from the nave by an arcade. If the aisles are high and of a width comparable to the central nave, the structure is sometimes said to have three naves. It provides the central approach to the high altar.
Etymology
The term nave is from navis, the Latin word for ship, an early Christian symbol of the Church as a whole, with a possible connection to the "Ship of St. Peter" or the Ark of Noah.[1][3][5] The term may also have been suggested by the keel shape of the vaulting of a church. In many Nordic and Baltic countries a model ship is commonly found hanging in the nave of a church,[6] and in some languages the same word means both 'nave' and 'ship', as for instance Danish skib, Swedish skepp, Dutch schip or Spanish nave.
History
A fresco showing Old St Peter's Basilica, built in the 4th century: the central area, illuminated by high windows, is flanked by aisles.
The earliest churches were built when builders were familiar with the form of the Roman basilica, a public building for business transactions. It had a wide central area, with aisles separated by columns, and with windows near the ceiling. Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is an early church which had this form. It was built in the 4th century on the orders of Roman emperor Constantine I, and replaced in the 16th century.[3][1]
The nave, the main body of the building, is the section set apart for the laity, while the chancel is reserved for the clergy. In medieval churches the nave was separated from the chancel by the rood screen; these, being elaborately decorated, were notable features in European churches from the 14th to the mid-16th century.[3][1][7]
Medieval naves were divided into bays, the repetition of form giving an effect of great length; and the vertical element of the nave was emphasized. During the Renaissance, in place of dramatic effects there were more balanced proportions.[1]
Highest vaulted nave: Beauvais Cathedral, France, 48 m (157 ft), but only one bay of the nave was actually built; however, choir and transepts were completed to the same height.
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For other uses see Nave disambiguation Not to be confused with Naveh disambiguation or Knave disambiguation The nave n eɪ v is the central part of a church stretching from the normally western main entrance or rear wall to the transepts or in a church without transepts to the chancel 1 2 When a church contains side aisles as in a basilica type building the strict definition of the term nave is restricted to the central aisle 1 In a broader more colloquial sense the nave includes all areas available for the lay worshippers including the side aisles and transepts 3 Either way the nave is distinct from the area reserved for the choir and clergy 1 Plan of a large Latin cross church with nave highlightedstrict definitionbroader definition The nave of the Saint Sulpice Church in Paris First African Baptist Church 1865 View of Nave looking West Contents 1 Description 2 Etymology 3 History 4 Record holders 5 See also 6 ReferencesDescription EditThe nave extends from the entry which may have a separate vestibule the narthex to the chancel and may be flanked by lower side aisles 4 separated from the nave by an arcade If the aisles are high and of a width comparable to the central nave the structure is sometimes said to have three naves It provides the central approach to the high altar Etymology EditThe term nave is from navis the Latin word for ship an early Christian symbol of the Church as a whole with a possible connection to the Ship of St Peter or the Ark of Noah 1 3 5 The term may also have been suggested by the keel shape of the vaulting of a church In many Nordic and Baltic countries a model ship is commonly found hanging in the nave of a church 6 and in some languages the same word means both nave and ship as for instance Danish skib Swedish skepp Dutch schip or Spanish nave History Edit A fresco showing Old St Peter s Basilica built in the 4th century the central area illuminated by high windows is flanked by aisles Late Gothic fan vaulting 1608 restored 1860s over the nave at Bath Abbey Bath England Suppression of the triforium offers a greater expanse of clerestory windows The earliest churches were built when builders were familiar with the form of the Roman basilica a public building for business transactions It had a wide central area with aisles separated by columns and with windows near the ceiling Old St Peter s Basilica in Rome is an early church which had this form It was built in the 4th century on the orders of Roman emperor Constantine I and replaced in the 16th century 3 1 The nave the main body of the building is the section set apart for the laity while the chancel is reserved for the clergy In medieval churches the nave was separated from the chancel by the rood screen these being elaborately decorated were notable features in European churches from the 14th to the mid 16th century 3 1 7 Medieval naves were divided into bays the repetition of form giving an effect of great length and the vertical element of the nave was emphasized During the Renaissance in place of dramatic effects there were more balanced proportions 1 Record holders EditLongest nave in world Basilica de la Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caidos 262 m 860 ft total divided via added partition to not exceed that of St Peter s in Rome 8 Longest nave in Denmark Aarhus Cathedral 93 m 305 ft Longest nave in England Winchester Cathedral 170 m 560 ft Longest nave in Ireland St Patrick s Cathedral Dublin 91 m 299 ft externally Longest nave in France Bourges Cathedral 91 m 299 ft including choir where a crossing would be if there were transepts Longest nave in Germany Cologne cathedral 58 m 190 ft including two bays between the towers Longest nave in Italy St Peter s Basilica in Rome 91 m 299 ft in four bays Longest cathedral nave in Spain Seville 60 m 200 ft in five bays Longest nave in the United States Cathedral of St John the Divine New York City United States Episcopal 70 m 230 ft Highest vaulted nave Beauvais Cathedral France 48 m 157 ft but only one bay of the nave was actually built however choir and transepts were completed to the same height Highest completed nave Rome St Peter s Italy 46 m 151 ft See also EditAbbey with architectural discussion and ground plans Cathedral architecture Cathedral diagram List of highest church navesReferences Edit a b c d e f g The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Nave Encyclopaedia Britannica online ed Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc Stevens Curl James ed 2006 nave Oxford Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture illustrated ed Oxford University Press p 518 ISBN 9780198606789 a b c d Cram Ralph Adams Nave The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol 10 New York Robert Appleton Company 1911 Accessed 13 July 2018 Nave Answers com Retrieved 11 February 2015 Ship as a Symbol of the Church Bark of St Peter JesusWalk com Retrieved 11 February 2015 Ship hangs in balance at Pella Evangelical Lutheran Church Sidney Herald Sidney Montana 10 June 2008 Retrieved 3 January 2016 Rood screen Encyclopaedia Britannica Retrieved 11 February 2015 The Valley of the Fallen Retrieved 11 November 2019 Portals Architecture ChristianityNave at Wikipedia s sister projects Media from Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nave amp oldid 1117739913, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
