The Hagia Sophia

by Meghan B. Bantog
 THE
HAGIA
SOPHIA

CENTRAL
DOME
GALLERY

HALF
DOME
BEMA
APSE
MIMBAR
TRIBUNE

EXEDRA

TURKISH
PLATFORM
AISLE

EXEDRA GALLERY
OVER

BAPTISTERY

ESONARTHEX
EXONARTHEX
MINARET PORCH

 PARTS & DEFINITIONS
AISLE
Any of the longitudinal division of a church separated from
the nave by a row of columns or piers.
APSE
A semi-circular or polygonal projection of a building usually
vaulted and used at the sanctuary or east end of a church.
BAPTISTERY
A part of a church or a separate building in which baptism is
administered.
BEMA
A transverse open space separating the nave and the apse
DOME
A dome is a vaulted structure having a circular plan and
usually the form of a portion of a sphere, so constructed as
to exert an equal thrust in all directions.
GALLERY
A roofed promenade, especially one extending inside or
outside along the exterior wall of a building.
ESONARTHEX
An inner narthex.
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EXEDRA
A large apsidal extension of the interior volume of a church.
EXONARTHEX
A covered walk or outer narthex situated before an inner
narthex.
MIMBAR
A pulpit in a mosque, recalling the three steps from which
Muhammad addressed his followers and from which the
imam delivers his sermons.
MINARET
A lofty, slender tower a ached to a mosque, having stairs
leading up to one or more projecting balconies from which
the muezzin calls the Muslim people to prayer.
PORCH
An exterior appendage to a building forming a covered
approach or vestibule to a doorway
TRIBUNE
The bishop’s throne, occupying a recess or apse.