Transepts for Kids - what is a transept? Why did churches have transepts?

Transepts

Rouen transept
Transept of Rouen cathedral (France, 1200's AD)

A transept was part of a medieval Christian church. Most churches were shaped like a cross, to remind people about Jesus' crucifixion, and the transept is the cross-piece of the cross.

Sometimes there were big rose windows (round windows) and doors in each end of the transept.

Chartres floor plan
Floor plan of Chartres Cathedral

Here is a floor plan of Chartres Cathedral, looking down at the church as if you were floating over it. You can see the nave at the west end, the apse at the east end, and the transept between them.

To find out more about medieval churches and their transepts, check out these books from Amazon.com or from your library:

Arches to Zigzags: An Architecture ABC, by Michael J. Crosbie (2000). Shows what an arch is, or a gable, or an eave. For younger kids.

Eyewitness: Building, by Philip Wilkinson, Dave King, and Geoff Dann (2000). Lavishly illustrated, like other Eyewitness books for kids, and with good explanations of most architectural terms.

City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction, by David Macaulay (1983).

About an apse
About a nave
About an aisle
About basilicas
About cathedrals
Romanesque architecture
Gothic architecture
Teachers' guides on architecture
Medieval gifts and books





Tell a friend about this page

Save to del.icio.us/digg

Did Kidipede answer your question?

Yes, thanks! / No, can you help me?




Grinding grain


Kidipede's Pledge to You

Kidipede is a site for children in fifth grade to eighth grade. We help middle school children and teenagers do research for their reports and understand their homework. Whether you're traditional school or homeschool, we're there for you when you need us! Check out our kids' book recommendations at the bottom of each page, too.


Summer Camp for Kids






Experience true business class 
web hosting only at Dewahost!
Dewahost offers premium web hosting service at a great price. Kidipede is proudly hosted by Dewahost!