<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"  xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"><dc:title xml:lang="en">altar steps</dc:title><dc:identifier>http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en?tema=31439691</dc:identifier><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Getty Institute</dc:publisher><dcterms:created>2026-03-30 20:58:31</dcterms:created><dcterms:isPartOf xsi:type="dcterms:URI">http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en</dcterms:isPartOf><dcterms:isPartOf xml:lang="en">Tesaurus d&apos;Art i Arquitectura</dcterms:isPartOf><dc:format>text/html</dc:format> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">steps, altar</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">altar step</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">altar-stairs</dcterms:alternative> <dc:description xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Sets of steps used to provide access to an altar; particularly as used with altars in a temple or church. They may be permanent steps or a portable set of steps. The uppermost step is often decorated. The number of steps varies, but for symbolic reasons is typically an uneven number, usually three, five, or seven, including the upper platform. ]]></dc:description></metadata>