The Lantern in a Romanesque or Gothic Cathedral

Plan of Westminster Abbey - with the
theatrical epicenter of the church
highlighted in red.

The Lantern is the theatrical heart of a church. It serves as the focal point for major events, located at the eastern edge of the central crossing, of a traditional cathedral that has been constructed to a cruciform plan. This area of the church is often located under a crossing-tower, which in turn provides streams of light into the centre of the church, hence the term lantern.