What is a tribune?
A tribune is a raised place from which people look out over a space. In church architecture it is a full upper storey or gallery above the side aisle, opening onto the nave through arches. The word is also used for the apse of a Roman basilica and for a raised stand of seats for spectators. It derives from the Latin tribunal, the raised platform where magistrates sat in ancient Rome.
Meanings
- Tribune gallery: a proper floor above the aisle, as deep as the aisle itself and walkable. Tribune galleries are typical of Romanesque and Early Gothic churches. They raised and stiffened the nave wall and gave extra space for worshippers. In English the term “gallery” is often used for the same thing.
- Apse of a basilica: in a Roman basilica the semicircular recess at the end of the hall, where the magistrate presided, was also called the tribune.
- Spectator stand: tiered rows of seats in a stadium, sports hall, theatre or at an outdoor event.
Tribune or triforium?
The two are easily confused. A tribune is a real storey over the full depth of the aisle. A triforium is only a narrow passage within the thickness of the wall, or even a blind arcade, at the level of the aisle’s lean-to roof. Some Early Gothic cathedrals, such as Laon, have both: arcade, tribune, triforium and clerestory form a four-storey elevation.
| Tribune | A real storey over the full depth of the aisle. |
|---|---|
| Triforium | Only a narrow passage within the thickness of the wall, or even a blind arcade, at the level of the aisle's lean-to roof. |
Practical tips
- Recognising it: a second row of large arches above the arcade with space behind is a tribune. A band of small arches just below the windows is usually a triforium.
- Reuse: historic tribune galleries rarely meet modern requirements for escape routes and guarding heights. Talk to building control and conservation officers early if you want to open one up.
- Temporary stands: a demountable grandstand for an event is a structure that needs structural checks and often approval. Ask the local authority in good time.
Related terms
- Triforium
- Gallery
- Side aisle
- Nave
- Basilica
- Dwarf gallery
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