A narthex is the covered entrance hall at the west end of an early Christian, Byzantine or Romanesque church, set across the length of the nave. It forms the transition between outside and the church interior: you enter it first and pass through one or more openings into the nave only afterwards.
Function
The narthex originally had a liturgical purpose. Those not yet baptised — the catechumens — and penitents were not admitted to the church proper and followed the service from the entrance hall. The space was also used for processions, for parts of the baptismal liturgy, and as a burial place for benefactors.
In building terms the narthex does what a draught lobby does: it keeps wind and weather out of the nave and buffers the church against cold.
Variants
- Esonarthex — the inner narthex, immediately against the west wall of the nave and contained within the building volume
- Exonarthex — a second, outer porch in front of it, often open or fronted by a colonnade towards the atrium
- Atrium — in large early Christian basilicas an enclosed courtyard with colonnades preceded the narthex
In later western church architecture the narthex developed into the westwork, the galilee porch, or simply the porch.
Applications and building considerations
- Building archaeology — the presence and form of a narthex helps to date and classify a church
- Conversion — when a church is converted, the narthex is the obvious place for the entrance, cloakroom and draught lobby, because it was designed as a transition zone in the first place
- Environment — reinstating a lobby in the narthex reduces air movement through the building and damps swings in humidity, which benefits organs, joinery and wall paintings
- Accessibility — the narthex is usually where a change in level can be resolved with a ramp without touching the historic interior
Related terms
- Basilica
- Naos
- Nave
- Westwork
- Porch
- Apse
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