Apse

Definition and stakes

Portrait of Joris-Karl Huysmans Joris-Karl Huysmans,  The Cathedral — Chapter III

“ The most amazing cathedral constructed by Nature herself, with lavish outlay of the pointed aisle of branches, is at Jumièges. There, close to the splendid ruins of the Abbey, where the two towers are still intact, while the roofless nave, carpeted with flowers, ends in a chancel of foliage shut in by an apse of trees, three vast aisles of centenary boles extend in parallel lines; one in the middle, very wide, the two others, one on each side, somewhat narrower; they exactly represent a church nave with its two side aisles, upheld by black columns and roofed with verdure. ”
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Edward A. Freeman Edward A. Freeman,  Sketches from the Subject and Neighbour Lands of Venice

“ The wonderful interior of the double basilica opens upon us. The first feeling is simply puzzledom. A nave of vast width seems to be flanked by two ranges of columns on either side, columns varying even more than is usual in their height and in the width of the arches which they support. When we look within the two lateral ranges, we are not surprised to find each ending in an apse with a noble mosaic; we are surprised to find the southern range interrupted by a cupola. This last phænomenon will help us to the explanation of the whole mystery. ”
Source: Gutenberg

Portrait of Maurice M. Hassett Maurice M. Hassett,  Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)

“ IN THE AMBROSIAN BASILICA, MILAN
that the nave and the aisles of the existing basilica correspond with those of the primitive church; the atrium, however, which dates from the ninth century, and two smaller apses, flanking a new central apse of greater depth than the original, were erected. The altar occupies about the same place as in the time of St. Ambrose, and the columns of the ciborium appear never to have been disturbed; they still rest on the original pavement.
”
Source: Wikisource

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