Sacred Space Explorer / Thresholds + western zones

architectural zone

Exonarthex

Outer narthex or porch; at the Chora, the exonarthex carries major mosaics from the lives of Christ and the Virgin.

Source-backed seed recordThis record carries registered source references. Follow the source trail for the exact scope of evidence and rights.

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Sacred Space profile

Thresholds + western zones

1 registered source

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Architectural location

Outer narthex or additional western vestibule in monuments such as Chora.

Liturgical function

Adds another threshold and circulation layer before the inner narthex/naos.

Iconographic convention

Chora uses its double-narthex system for extensive narrative mosaics.

Surviving monument evidence

Chora preserves a major Late Byzantine example.

Reconstruction boundary

BIU009 does not generalize a double-narthex plan beyond monuments that have one.

Uncertainty

Function and imagery are monument-specific.

Portable-icon / later-practice boundaryPortable icon type or later Orthodox practice does not establish an original church position. Placement requires source-backed monument or relationship evidence.

Direct graph trails

Follow explicit spatial connections.

Figures + iconography

0 direct

No direct edge in this part of the current graph.

Decoder + visual grammar

0 direct

No direct edge in this part of the current graph.

Materials + making

0 direct

No direct edge in this part of the current graph.

History + chronology

0 direct

No direct edge in this part of the current graph.

Places + monuments

1 direct

Chora Church / Monastery← contains-zone · source-backed

Zones + spatial models

2 direct

Narthexprecedes · source-backed Threshold Image Program← uses-zone · source-backed

Two-step navigation

Keep intermediate evidence visible.

Figures + iconography
ExonarthexprecedesNarthex← associated-with-zoneFoot Washing
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Figures + iconography
Exonarthex← contains-zoneChora Church / Monastery← represented-atLast Judgment
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Materials + making
Exonarthex← contains-zoneChora Church / Monasteryuses-mediumMosaic
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Materials + making
Exonarthex← contains-zoneChora Church / Monasteryuses-mediumFresco
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
History + chronology
Exonarthex← contains-zoneChora Church / Monastery← occurs-atChora Renovation, c. 1316–1321
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Places + monuments
ExonarthexprecedesNarthex← contains-zoneHosios Loukas
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Places + monuments
ExonarthexprecedesNarthex← contains-zoneDaphni Monastery
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Zones + spatial models
ExonarthexprecedesNarthexprecedesNaos
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.
Zones + spatial models
ExonarthexprecedesNarthex← uses-zoneCross-in-Square Church
Two-step navigation path, not a new placement or causal claim.

Spatial source trail

Sources supporting this profile.

Smarthistory
Picturing salvation — Chora’s brilliant Byzantine mosaics and frescoes
Open source ↗

text-reference-only; image rights vary by credited work

Discovery profile

Where can this record lead?

3 bounded direct results · 12 bounded two-step paths · 4 navigation themes

Discover from this record

Recommendation boundaryThe next steps below are explainable graph/curriculum navigation, not a popularity ranking, similarity score, or claim of historical importance.

Chora Church / MonasteryExonarthex ←contains-zone— Chora Church / Monastery · source-backedWhy this? Explicit relationship rel-589.NarthexExonarthex —precedes→ Narthex · source-backedWhy this? Explicit relationship rel-139.Threshold Image ProgramExonarthex ←uses-zone— Threshold Image Program · source-backedWhy this? Explicit relationship rel-545.

Visible two-step paths

Keep the intermediate record in view.

Exonarthexcontains-zoneChora Church / Monasteryrepresented-atLast Judgment
Two explicit edges; intermediate record remains visible.
Exonarthexcontains-zoneChora Church / Monasteryrepresented-atAnastasis / Harrowing of Hell
Two explicit edges; intermediate record remains visible.
Exonarthexcontains-zoneChora Church / Monasteryrepresented-atKoimesis / Dormition of the Virgin
Two explicit edges; intermediate record remains visible.

Beginner where-next

Connect objects, making, and sacred space

BIU navigation synthesis maps Architectural Zone / sacred-space records to this preserved learning path; this is a learning suggestion, not historical importance.

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