How many naves does this church have?
KWAN-teh nah-VA-teh ah KWES-tah KYE-zah.
When interested in the architectural structure of a church. Italian church architecture is varied and the number of naves indicates the building's ambition and period.
Le navate (plural of navata) are the naves — the longitudinal sections of a church separated by columns or pillars. A single-nave church is simple; three-nave basilicas are the most common in Italy; some Gothic and Renaissance churches have five naves.
Questo è lo stile romanico o gotico?
Is this Romanesque or Gothic style?
The two most common medieval Italian church styles.
I pilastri sono originali?
Are the pillars original?
Asking about the authenticity of structural elements.
Qual è la pianta della chiesa — a croce latina?
What is the church's floor plan — Latin cross?
About the cruciform or other plan of the church.
Italian church architecture varies dramatically by region. Northern Italy has Gothic cathedrals (Milan's Duomo, Venice's Frari). Central Italy built in the Romanesque and Renaissance styles (Pisa's baptistery complex, Brunelleschi's work in Florence). Southern Italy and Sicily blend Romanesque, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman influences in unique ways.