See also: Nave (homonymy)

The nave is the part of a church going of the gate to the Transept crossing and which lies between the two side walls (church with single nave), between two lines of pillars or a line of pillars and a side wall. It is the principal place where the faithful ones at the time of the celebrations are held and the offices. The word nave means with the direction first " navire". This is why it was used to indicate this part of the church. Indeed, the roof of the church, when it is a visible frame, resembles the reversed hull of a ship. Moreover, the symbol of the boat to indicate the Church returns to the teaching of Jesus who was often done starting from a boat on the Sea of Galilee, where were the very first apostles - symbol of the incipient Church - who fished there.

In the churches of Occident, the nave is the place of prayer during the Messe. It is sometimes separated from the chorus by a barrier of stone or of wood called Chancel, Prône or Jubé. The priest goes up, by a staircase, on this separation for Prêcher. In the East, this separation is called " iconostase" , because it is the place where the icons are hung.

A transverse nave which cuts to right angle the principal nave of a church is called Transept.

One can by assimilation also speak about nave for the Mosquée S: it accommodates the faithful ones for the prayer.

See too

• Glossary of architecture