In architecture a transept is the transverse portion of any building lying across the main body of that building. In Christian churches transepts are the cross aisles of a church, projecting at right angles from the nave or choir. In the basilicas, they often had no projection at the two ends. In Gothic churches these project greatly, and should be called the arms of the transept. It is common, however, to speak of the arms themselves as the transepts.
The transept became common in the Middle Ages, and almost universal in the Gothic period. The crossing is often surmounted by a spire, tower or dome. Single transepts are the more common, but double transepts are found in England and in Germany, the English double transept being on the scheme of the archbishop's or Passion cross, with both arms east of the nave. In the German form it was connected with the double choir, one at each end of the church. Research Transept
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Abbreviations
Architecture
Research Transept
