Sample Paper on Characteristics of places of worship
Religious buildings are characterized by a number of features unique to every religion. This paper will therefore elaborate the characteristics and styles of this places ranging from Romanesque, gothic, stave and renaissance periods of time.
A mosque has a minaret, which is a tower that pops out through the building. The second feature is the dome-shaped rooftop just for beauty. The prayer hall is used for salat (prayers). The Mihrab is a semi-circular decoration on the wall of a prayer room where the Islam face as they pray. The ablution area is where the Muslims cleanse their feet before and after prayers.
Churches have altars where the Eucharistic celebrations occur. There is also the pulpit which is used by the preachers. The baptismal pool is used for baptism and christening purposes; the sanctuary sits the choir and elders; finally, the cross and crucifix that reminds the Christians of the death of Jesus.
The identifying features include the mood and color whereby the Romanesque architecture was mostly dark hence gloomy. The gothic architecture was very tall and light filled with bright colors. The elevation is another feature in that the gothic churches were vertical and very tall whereas the Romanesque’s influence was horizontal and the height was moderate. Finally, the arch type is another feature in that some were rounded whereas others were pointed. The Romanesque churches had semi-circular arches with thick walls and the roofs majorly made from wood and stone.
Stave churches had various features; they were old churches mainly made of wood. They have balconies, an apse, a nave and a roof date. The renaissance churches were square in shape. There were also arches that were circular, the vaults were semi-circular as well and finally there were domes that were visible and protruded from the outside.