Nave facts for kids
The nave is the main part of a church building. It is where the congregation (the people who come to worship) usually sit. You will often find long benches called 'pews' or separate chairs here.
Naves are a key part of many Christian churches. They can be found in simple Saxon churches from long ago. They are also in huge, beautiful Romanesque and Gothic buildings. These include abbeys, Cathedrals, and Basilicas.
The nave is the central path that leads to the main altar of the church. The word 'nave' comes from the Latin word navis, which means "ship." This name probably came about because the vaulted ceiling of a nave often looks like the bottom of an upside-down ship.
The nave is the biggest open space inside a church. It stretches from the entrance all the way to the chancel. The chancel is the area near the altar where the clergy (priests or ministers) usually sit.
The nave is often surrounded by aisles on both sides. These aisles are like narrower walkways. They are separated from the main nave by a row of arches, which is called an arcade.
Sometimes, the aisles are very tall and as wide as the central nave. When this happens, the church might be described as having "three naves." This means it has a large central nave and two equally important side aisles.
Images for kids
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The nave of the Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris.
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A fresco showing Old St Peter's Basilica, built in the 4th century: the central area, lit by high windows, is flanked by aisles.
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Late Gothic fan vaulting (1608, restored 1860s) over the nave at Bath Abbey, Bath, England.
See also
In Spanish: Nave (arquitectura) para niños
