Question

Which of the following features are characteristic of a basilica church?

1) Transept is wide and extended beyond nave
2) Basilica has a very prominent cross shape
3) Ambulatory with side aisles and around apse
4) Various smaller apses
5) Proportions of church plan were designed on a module which could be multiplied
6) Stone vaults
7) Barrel vaults with transverse arches
8) Compound piers

Answer 1

A basilica-style church typically features a central nave with side aisles, a transept that provides a cruciform shape, an ambulatory around the apse, stone and barrel vaults, compound piers, and often a design based on a multiplying module.

Step-by-step explanation:

Characteristics of a Basilica Church

Among the key features that define a basilica-style church, the following are most characteristic:

1. The church design includes a central nave with aisles on each side and an apse at one end, a structure originating from Roman basilicas.
2. A transept is often present, running perpendicular to the nave, giving the church a cruciform or cross-like shape, symbolizing the Crucifixion.
3. Many basilicas have an ambulatory, which is a walkway around the apse, sometimes accompanied by side chapels.
4. The adoption of structural innovations such as stone vaults and barrel vaults with transverse arches allowed these large buildings to have impressive, expansive interiors.
5. The use of compound piers helped support the heavy vaulted ceilings and was a distinguishing feature of this architectural style.
6. The plans for these churches often followed a modular design, allowing proportions of the church plan to be multiplied for a harmoniously proportioned structure.

In summary, a basilica church reflects a fusion of both practical and symbolic architecture, adapted from Roman civic buildings and transformed to reflect Christian liturgical needs and iconography.