Clerestorie

Clerestorie refers to the upper part of a wall in a building, typically a church or large hall, that contains windows designed to admit daylight into the interior. In English architectural terminology the corresponding singular term is clerestory (plural clerestories); clerestorie is the Italian plural form used in Italian architectural vocabulary.

Location and design: The clerestory sits above the nave arcade and the triforium, just below the roof or vault. It consists of a row or series of window openings, often divided into bays by mullions or tracery, which allow light to reach the central interior space. The window openings may carry clear or stained glass and are sometimes paired with decorative framing or cornices. The light from the clerestory typically bathes the nave or central space, while side aisles remain beneath the roofline.

Function and purpose: The primary purpose of the clerestory is to illuminate the interior without requiring large openings at eye level on exterior walls. This arrangement enables brighter interiors, reduces the need for high exterior wall openings, and can support architectural features such as vaulted ceilings and flying buttresses that shape the building’s silhouette.

Historical context and variations: Clerestories are a hallmark of Romanesque and Gothic church architecture, where they complemented rib vaults and arcades to illuminate vast naves. In later periods, the concept evolved into modern daylighting strategies, including skylights and light wells, while the term remains in use for both historical and contemporary designs.

See also: arcade, triforium, nave, vaulting, skylight.