basilica
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basilica
A specific type of church building characterized by a high central nave and lower side aisles. Originally, it was a Roman secular building used for markets or court proceedings.
Die Kirche St. Michael in Hildesheim ist ein berühmtes Beispiel für eine ottonische Basilika.
St. Michael's Church in Hildesheim is a famous example of an Ottonian basilica.
The word comes from the Latin 'basilica' and originally from the Greek 'basiliké' (royal hall). This explains its original function as a splendid public building in antiquity.
Viele römische Basiliken wurden später zu Kirchen umgebaut.
Many Roman basilicas were later converted into churches.
You can recognize the meaning 'Bautyp' (building type) from descriptions of the architecture, e.g. 'Mittelschiff' (central nave), 'romanisch' (Romanesque). You can recognize the meaning 'Ehrentitel' (honorary title) from religious contexts, often in connection with the pope or an appointment, e.g. 'erheben' (to elevate), 'verleihen' (to grant).
Die romanische Basilika beeindruckt durch ihre klaren Linien.
The Romanesque basilica impresses with its clear lines.
In the meaning of a building type, 'Basilika' (basilica) is a technical term from architecture and art history.
Im Architekturstudium lernten wir, eine Basilika von einer Hallenkirche zu unterscheiden.
In our architecture studies, we learned to distinguish a basilica from a hall church.
When a church receives the honorary title, this is often expressed with the fixed phrase 'eine Kirche zur Basilika erheben' (to elevate a church to a basilica) or 'ernennen' (to appoint).
Die Kathedrale wurde 1980 zur Basilika erhoben.
The cathedral was elevated to the status of a basilica in 1980.
church
'Kirche' and 'Basilika' can both mean a Christian church building. 'Kirche' is the general word: it works for almost any building where worship services are held. 'Basilika' is more precise and more specific. It can mean a particular architectural style or an honorary title for an especially important church. Learners may confuse the words because every basilica in the religious sense is a church, but not every church is a basilica. In everyday language, people usually say 'Kirche'; only when talking about architecture, travel, or important churches is 'Basilika' more precise.
Auf der Reise möchte Herr Wagner die berühmte Basilika in der Altstadt besichtigen.
On the trip, Mr. Wagner would like to visit the famous basilica in the old town.
Am Sonntag besucht die Familie die Kirche im Nachbarort.
On Sunday, the family visits the church in the neighboring village.