A basilica is an architectural style with a rectangular nave, colonnades, and an apse. Originally an administrative building, it became popular for Christian worship. The Roman Catholic Church designates certain buildings as basilicas, which have special privileges. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is the most important and largest religious building in the world.
The term “basilica” is used to refer to a specific architectural style, even in an ecclesiastical sense. A religious basilica may or may not retain the traditional architectural form. The term was used to designate buildings of extreme historical or religious importance by the Roman Catholic Church. A structure designated as a religious basilica is entitled to certain privileges, and there are a number of major and minor basilicas scattered throughout the world.
In architectural terms, a basilica is a large building that has a usually rectangular central area called the nave. Columns flank either side of the nave, creating a feature known as a colonnade. An apse, a vaulted niche, was usually located at one end of the basilica. Originally, a basilica was an administrative building. Indoor markets could take place in the colonnade, and large numbers of people could gather in the nave to tackle various administrative tasks. The main authorities would be located in the apse, which could be used for formal meetings and hearings. The oldest building seems to have been built in 184 BC by Cato.
As the Christian church began to expand, the need arose for large buildings in which to worship. Christians wanted to distance themselves from open-air pagan ceremonies and began to build churches, structures where religious worship could take place. The basilical shape lent itself well to religious buildings, as the altar could be placed in the apse and the faithful could be seated in the nave and in the colonnade. Basilica design began to dominate religious architecture.
Eventually, the term began to be used more generally by the Roman Catholic Church to refer to an integral religious building. A church classified as a basilica tends to be imposing, beautiful, and important. The most important basilicas are intended for the use of the Pope, and are occupied for the celebration of important masses. Even minor basilicas are still entitled to important religious privileges, such as special ceremonial objects to be carried in processions and a formal cloak worn by the officiant on major religious holidays.
The most important religious basilica is generally considered to be St. Peter’s, in Vatican City. It is used by the Pope in important places, and is also the largest religious building in the world. The important building is famous among Roman Catholics around the world and also serves as the burial place for many well-known religious figures in the Catholic Church. The interior of the basilica is richly decorated and is a popular destination for tourists.
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