Narthex architecture
Introduction
The narthex in Romanesque basilicas is the portico located between the atrium and the naves of the temple, from which it is separated by fixed divisions,[1] intended for penitents and catechumens (non-baptized). The model comes from the ancient early Christian basilicas.
When it is located on the outside of the facades, as an open portico, it is called exonartex. In the event that there is a second interior narthex, it is called endonarthex, as is the case of the Byzantine Church of Saint Savior in Chora of Constantinople, present-day Istanbul.
The word comes from the medieval Latin narthex, and this in turn from the classical Greek νάρθηξ[2] narthex, name of the plant ferula communis or 'cañaheja', and was the site of the penitents.[3] In modern Greek it is νάρθηκας, nárthekas, and refers to the entrance porch to a church. Also used to refer to the meeting space at the back of a church.
References
- [1] ↑ De la Plaza Escudero, L., ed. (2008). Diccionario visual de términos arquitectónicos. Cátedra. p. 108. ISBN 9788437625065.
- [2] ↑ George Liddell, Henry; Scott, Robert (1889). «An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, νάρθηξ». www.perseus.tufts.edu. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Consultado el 8 de septiembre de 2025.: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0058:entry=na/rqhc
- [3] ↑ Brabner, John H. F., ed. (1884). The national encyclopædia. «Este espacio era el narthex y era utilizado por los penitentes. La palabra también denominaba el patio exterior.».