Westwork

(noun)

The main entrance of a church, named for its (usually) west-facing orientation.

Related Terms

Examples of Westwork in the following topics:

  • Carolingian Architecture in the Early European Middle Ages

    • A westwork (German: westwerk) is a monumental, west-facing entrance section of a medieval church.
    • The westwork first originated in the ancient churches of Syria.
    • The westwork of Corvey Abbey (873-885), Germany, is the oldest extant example that still remains.
    • Like the gate house from Lorsch Abbey, the westwork of Corvey consists of a symmetrical arcade of three round arches at the base.
    • The westwork is the only surviving architectural component of the original Carolingian monastery.