Cella

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A cella (from Latin for small chamber) or naos (from the Greek for temple), is the inner chamber of a temple in classical architecture.

Contents 1 Greek and Roman temples 2 Ancient Egyptian temples 3 Etruscan temples 4 Christian churches 5 References

Greek and Roman temples

In Ancient Greek and Roman temples the cella is a room at the centre of the building, usually containing a cult image (execrated by Early Christians as an "idol") suited to the particular deity venerated in the temple. In addition the cella may contain a table or plinth to receive votive offerings. The accumulated offerings made of Greek and Roman temples virtual treasuries.

The cella is typically a simple, windowless, rectangular room with a door or open entrance in the middle of one of the shorter walls. In larger temples, the cella may be divided into two or three aisles by rows of columns. They may also contain an adyton, an inner area restricted to access by the priests—in religions that had a consecrated priesthood—or by the temple guardians.

The temple to Venus built by Hadrian in Rome had two cellae, both enclosed, in a single peristyle.

Ancient Egyptian temples

In the Ptolemaic period of Ancient Egypt the cella referred to that which is hidden and unknown Template:Fact inside the inner sanctum of a temple, existing in complete darkness, meant to symbolize the state of the universe before the act of creation Template:Fact.

Etruscan temples

According to Vitruvius (Book IV.7), some Etruscan temples had three cellae, side by side.

Christian churches

In early Christian and Byzantine architecture, the cella is an area at the centre of the church reserved for performing the liturgy.

In later periods a small chapel or monk's cell was also called cella.

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition{{#if:{{{article|}}}| article {{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url|}}}}} "{{{article}}}"{{#if:{{{url|}}}|]}}{{#if:{{{author|}}}| by {{{author}}}}}}}, a publication now in the public domain.
• Vitruvius, De architectura, Book IV. ch 7 : translation, plans and reconstructions of Tuscan cellae.

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