Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
spire/turret/?
English answer:
spire-steeple
Added to glossary by
Anna Maria Augustine (X)
Dec 9, 2004 21:08
19 yrs ago
4 viewers *
English term
spire/turret/?
English
Other
Architecture
...a cross or a figure
Is there a general term denoting the various types of structures which crown steeples, towers etc. (usually of churches, from Gothic to Rococo, but also town hall towers), and look like combined spire+lantern+dome or cupola+orb etc. (not all of them necessarily), sometimes topped by a cross of a figure, decorated with pinnacles etc., frequently faced with copper or tiles?
The Baroque structure of this type in Germany is called "Welsche Haube". This type of structure crowns for ex. S. Ivo and S. Agnese in Rome, or St. Mary-le-Bow in London. The closest I could find was a "spire-like form" (Britannica), but this is far from satisfactory...
The Baroque structure of this type in Germany is called "Welsche Haube". This type of structure crowns for ex. S. Ivo and S. Agnese in Rome, or St. Mary-le-Bow in London. The closest I could find was a "spire-like form" (Britannica), but this is far from satisfactory...
Responses
4 | Spire-Steeple | Anna Maria Augustine (X) |
3 | finial | Dr Sue Levy (X) |
3 | See comment below... | Tony M |
Responses
24 mins
Selected
Spire-Steeple
This would probably be closest as you've given so many possibilities. This is found in the Shorter Oxford Dictionary, and used in relation to churches.
Otherwise start with Spire-Steeple then describe "orb-shaped with a cross" seperately.
Turret is not really appropriate.
Good luck. Architecture is interesting.
Otherwise start with Spire-Steeple then describe "orb-shaped with a cross" seperately.
Turret is not really appropriate.
Good luck. Architecture is interesting.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I think this type of roof topping is mostly German, but it spread all over Europe. Haven't been able to find any French examples, though. Thanks"
45 mins
finial
that's the decorative bit at the top
http://www.denninger.com/whatisf.htm
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Note added at 51 mins (2004-12-09 21:59:44 GMT)
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the spire is a pointed structure
http://lucky.phpwebhosting.com/~ah/a/DCTNRY/s/spire.html
helful dictionary by the way
doesn\'t seem to be a collective word for tower-toppings :-)
http://www.denninger.com/whatisf.htm
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Note added at 51 mins (2004-12-09 21:59:44 GMT)
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the spire is a pointed structure
http://lucky.phpwebhosting.com/~ah/a/DCTNRY/s/spire.html
helful dictionary by the way
doesn\'t seem to be a collective word for tower-toppings :-)
2 hrs
See comment below...
Well, I don't actually think there IS one single word that means all that.
A steeple is a steeply-pointed roof (usually on a church), a spire is even taller and more pointed (but might also relate to non-church buildings)
A turret is something quite different - a small, sometimes jutting-out mini-tower, shape of roof not specified, but often conical / pointed
As for all the others, I think you have to refer to them as various kinds of 'roof', with suitable specifying words...
But I'm no expert, so stand to be corrected...
A steeple is a steeply-pointed roof (usually on a church), a spire is even taller and more pointed (but might also relate to non-church buildings)
A turret is something quite different - a small, sometimes jutting-out mini-tower, shape of roof not specified, but often conical / pointed
As for all the others, I think you have to refer to them as various kinds of 'roof', with suitable specifying words...
But I'm no expert, so stand to be corrected...
Discussion