basilicas

Basilicas are a term used for two related ideas: a type of ancient Roman public building and, in the Christian context, a designated church with ceremonial privileges. In ancient Rome, a basilica was a large rectangular hall used for legal proceedings, business, and administration. Typically it featured a central nave flanked by side aisles, separated by columns, with an apse at one or both ends. The design often included a narthex or entrance at the narrower end and ample interior light from clerestory windows.

With the spread of Christianity, many basilicas were repurposed or built as places of worship. The architectural plan suited liturgy well: a long nave for processions and a raised apse area for the altar. Over time, the term “basilica” came to describe churches of particular importance and distinctive ceremonial status, in addition to its architectural sense.

There are two categories in the Catholic Church. Major basilicas are four historic churches in Rome: the Basilica of St. Peter, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Minor basilicas are numerous churches around the world that have been granted the title by the pope, conferring certain liturgical privileges and the right to display specific insignia.

Today, the basilica form remains a fundamental influence in church architecture, while the papal designation continues to identify churches notable for their liturgical, historical, or spiritual significance.