Obvious or hidden

Abstract

Studies examining the orientation of Christian sacred spaces have appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The reinterpretation of the relationship between functional elements placed in space has also investigated the issue of hierarchy. The symbolic position of these sacral space-elements is decisive also within the community engaged in the liturgy. With the changing liturgical concepts, the issue of central or longitudinal use of space has determined the whole 20th century. At the same time, around the turn of the millennium an intensified need has emerged, which used the symbolism of hidden secret in the concept of the access to sacral spaces instead of a direct approach that had previously been usual for hundreds of years. The indirect path, designed with changes of direction, was composed with the logic of discovery and gradual understanding. It is particularly interesting that this architectural composition appears typically in ephemeral—like temporary buildings or in small sacral spaces formed simply, only with a few architectural means.