This document defines key architectural terms used in medieval churches during the Romanesque and Gothic periods. It explains elements like the ambulatory, apse, barrel vault, buttresses, capitals, domes, flying buttresses, gargoyles, pointed arches, portals, ribbed vaults, and the Latin cross plan. Stylistically, it distinguishes between the Romanesque style from the 11th-12th centuries and the later widespread Gothic style from the mid-12th century onwards.

1. Unit 4: ART IN THE MIDDLE AGES.

2.  Ambulatory (deambulatorio): a passageway behind the altar for pilgrims.
 Apse (ábside): the rear (posterior) part of a church where the altar is situated.
 Barrel vault (bóveda de cañón): a Romanesque architectural element that creates a curved
and semicircular vault.
 Buttress (contrafuerte): a structure, common in Romanesque buildings, that was built against
an external wall to reinforce it.
 Capital (capitel): the top of a column, which is often decorated.
 Dome (cúpula): a hemispherical construction covering the upper part of a building.
 Flying buttress (arbotante): an arched structure on a building that distributes the weight from
the top of the building to the lower parts.
 Gargoyle (gárgola): a fantastic creature sculpted on the outside of cathedrals to channel water.

3.  Gothic (Gótico): an artistic style that spread widely from the mid-12th century onwards.
 Latin cross plan (planta de cruz latina): a desing for a church or a cathedral in the shape of a
Latin cross.
 Nave: the central part of a church of cathedral.
 Pointed arch (arco apuntado): an arch with a pointed centre, which is more effective at
distributing weigh. Featured commonly in Gothic architecture.
 Portal: a church entrace, usually formed by a series of round or pointed arches.
 Ribbed vault (bóveda de crucería): an architectural element which uses ribs (nervios,
nervaduras) for structural support.
 Romanesque (Románico): an international artistic style common in the 11th and 12th
centuries.
 Round arch (arco de medio punto): a semicircular arch common in Romanesque architecture.