nicchie

Nicchie are recessed spaces built into walls that serve as decorative or display elements. A niche is a shallow cavity, often framed by moldings, pediments, or arches, into which figures, sculptures, vases, or other objects are placed. Niches can be rectangular, arched, or circular, and may vary in depth from a few inches to several feet. They are commonly used to create visual focal points, to manage light by housing lamps, or to relieve flat wall surfaces.

Historically, niches appear throughout classical and religious architecture. In Greco-Roman design they framed statues and busts along porticoes and galleries; in Christian churches they house saints’ statues, altars, or reliquaries; in mausolea and catacombs they mark graves or provide devotional spaces. In Renaissance and Baroque buildings, decorative niches were elaborated with sculptural ornament, gilding, and sculpted drapery, often forming a rhythmic program along walls and façades.

Materials and construction vary; niches may be cut directly into masonry or built with decorative frames in stone, marble, brick, or plaster. Lighting effects are common, with daylight from windows or artificial lamps emphasizing the figure or object within.

In modern architecture and interior design, niches are frequently used as built-in display shelves, niches around fireplaces, or recessed alcoves that add depth and storage without protruding furniture. They remain a versatile element for organizing space and guiding visual focus.