Separating arch

A separating arch is an arch, which, as arcade, separates the nave of a church from the side aisle,^[1] or an arch between two adjacent side aisles.^[2] It is found mainly in hall churches.^[3] A separating arch can be replaced constructively or decoratively emphasised by a vault rib.^[4] In this case one speaks - instead of an arcade arch - also of a separating arch.^[5]

A separative arch in the St. Zeno church [de] after the 1518–1520 gothicisation

Separating arches as elements of vaults and wall division

Separating arches delimit a bay in the longitudinal direction.^[6] A pair of transverse arches and a pair of separating arches result in a vault.^[7] With the belt arches as well as the pillars or columns at the four corners, the segmental arches form a vault field as the basic element of a vault.^[8]

A wall supported by separating arch is called a separating wall.^[9]