Cathedral of Navara

Ervenian Era, 1051 AB

The Cathedral of Navara is the largest church in the Kingdom of Navara and the second largest in Epeoris, behind the Basilica of Saint Agustin.

History

The construction of the cathedral was sanctioned by Sandor Amarell following the establishment of Second Empire of Ader. Its construction was funded intially by loot from the Kavirian War and reperations paid by the Kingdom of Kavir. However, this source of income was soon diverted elsewhere, and a new source of funds had to be found. The emperor ordered the Navaran nobility to fund the construction, and set up a competition, with the greatest funders being allowed to buy private balconies and chapels within the cathedral. Implicitly, greater funding also guarenteed greater influence over the newly established Andorian Inquisition; this marked the rise to power of the more religious houses, such as House Bneurling. Donors and funders also received commemoratory plaques, statues, and shrines, dedicated either to an individual or their house.

Founding Date

408-473 AB

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

Navara

Architecture

The cathedral has three floors, a division which symbolizes the social structure according to the Andorian Church’s core tenets, specifically those assosciated with leadership; the first floor represents the flock, the second floor represents the shepherds, and the third floor represents the divine.

Ground Level

The lowest level serves as the primary processional and congregational space. It features four chapels, one dedicated to each of The Four, and ambulatories that allow for the movement of pilgrims and churchgoers. Both the chapels and ambulatories are symmetrical and cruciform; the crosses share a center but are rotated 45° relative to each other.

Triforium

The cathedral's triforium is dedicated for the nobility, who in Andorian theology are given a divine mandate to serve as shepherds of their community. Known for its excessively vaulted ceiling, it contains noble-funded shrines, plaques commemorating significant contributions, and private viewing galleries. In the past, it also displayed several noble family crests, but those were removed following the church's reformation during The Great Kadian Split.

Clerestory

Dominated by a centralized balcony and a domed vault, the clerestory is the setting for high liturgical events. The balcony is used for major sermons and declarations, such as the monthly mass held by the high inquisitor of Navara. Large windows encircle the space, flooding it with natural light that filters down into the cathedral below, stylized as a visual metaphor for divine grace descending onto the faithful through the clergy and the leadership. The third floor is a feat of engineering, as it supports a massive structural load while also integrating glass windows.

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