Architecture Glossary

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Nailhead – An Early English architectural enrichment consisting of small pyramids repeated as a band.

Chora Church - Istanbul

Naos – The sanctuary or principal chamber of a Greek temple, containing the statue of the god. In Byzantine architecture, the core and sanctuary of a centrally planned church.

Esonarthex -  Haghia Sophia, Istanbul

Narthex – In a Byzantine church, the transverse vestibule either preceding nave and aisle as an inner narthex (esonarthex) or preceding the façade as an outer narthex (exonarthex). An esonarthex is separated from the nave and aisle by columns, rails or a wall. An exonarthex may also serve as terminating transverse portico of a colonnaded atrium or quadriporticus. In a general medieval sense, an enclosed covered antechurch at the main entrance, sometimes called a Galilee.

Nave – The western limb of a church, that is, the part west of the crossing; more usually the middle vessel of the western limb, flanked by aisle.

Nebule, nebulé or nebuly moulding – A moulding with wavy or serpentine lower edge.

Necking – A narrow, annular moulding round the bottom of a capital between it and the shaft of the column.

Necropolis – A burial-ground or cemetery, usually in or near the city.

Poussin, Nicolas. Landscape with the Funeral of Phocion. 1648. National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.

Newel – See Stair.

Niche – A vertical recess in a wall, pier, etc., usually arched and containing a statue, urn, or other decorative object.

Christ and St. Thomas (or Doubting of Thomas), Orsanmichele - Florence

Nook-shaft – A shaft set in the angle of a pier, a respond, a wall, or the jamb of a window or doorway.

Nymphaeum – Literally a ‘temple of the nymphs’ but generally a Roman pleasure-house, especially one containing fountains and statues.

Nymphaeum - Jerash, Jordan

Architecture Glossary

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