Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cella

noun

/ˈsɛl.ə/

Definition

A cella is the inner chamber of a temple or a sacred space within a religious building.

Examples

The cella of the Parthenon housed the statue of Athena.
In Roman temples, the cella was the most sacred part of the structure.
Visitors often find the cella to be the most intriguing part of ancient temples.

Meaning

In ancient architecture, the cella is typically the chamber where the cult statue of a deity is housed. It serves as the main area of worship and is usually surrounded by columns.