Cathedral floorplan

Amiens Cathedral floorplan: massive piers support the west end towers; transepts are abbreviated; seven radiating chapels form the chevet reached from the ambulatory

In Western ecclesiastical architecture, a cathedral diagram is a floor plan showing the sections of walls and piers, giving an idea of the profiles of their columns and ribbing. Light double lines in perimeter walls indicate glazed windows. Dashed lines show the ribs of the vaulting overhead. By convention, ecclesiastical floorplans are shown map-fashion, with north to the top and the liturgical east end to the right.

Many abbey churches have floorplans that are comparable to cathedrals, though sometimes with more emphasis on the sanctuary and choir spaces that are reserved for the religious community. Smaller churches are similarly planned, with simplifications.

The plans show structural stonework; they omit the rood screen dividing the nave from the choir.

See also

• Architecture of cathedrals and great churches
• Church architecture, including description of common terms

External links

• "Romanesque and Gothic Architecture Plans", www.owlnet.rice.edu (Rice University, Humanities Electronic Studio Project, HART), archived from the original on 24 June 2009 
• Salisbury Cathedral floor plan
• Canterbury Cathedral: several floor plans
• Plan of Canterbury Cathedral
• Durham Cathedral Layout
• The Plans of Saint-Sernin, Toulouse and Amiens Cathedral
• St. Patrick's Cathedral Floorplan (Armagh)
• Exeter Cathedral Floorplan