What does an apse do for a basilica?

Pre-Christian Roman basilicas are known for their apses, which tend to sit over the heads of magistrates. In modern-day architecture, apses are found in places of worship, most notably Christian churches. The apse is typically placed over the altar or clergy in order to attract attention to this spot.



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Some of the key architectural features of a cathedral are the narthex (main entrance area), the nave (main aisle leading to the front of the cathedral), and the apse (location of the altar).

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To clarify: a cathedral is any church that is the “seat” of a bishop. There is one cathedral per diocese. A basilica is any church named highly important by the pope based on its historical or cultural importance, its art or beauty, its signi?cance in the liturgical life of the Church or a variety of these attributes.

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The apse was originally placed on the western end of the church but was built on the eastern side in later church construction. The altar of the church is most often located within the apse, which is frequently decorated extravagantly with religious murals and moldings.

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The word basilica is derived from a Greek term meaning “royal court”—from which the king exercised his reign. In the Catholic world, a basilica is a church building that has been recognized and accorded special privileges by the pope.

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An aisle often surrounds the apse, running behind the altar. Called the ambulatory, this aisle accessed additional small chapels, called radiating chapels or chevets.

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