Originally used in both the East and West, the structure has almost disappeared in the Western Rites. In early Western churches it was known also as the "Gradus", "lectorium", or "lectricium", and from it has developed the lectern or pulpit, and took the form of a raised stand for preaching and often readings, approached by steps. In the West, there were often two ambons, one on the north (for the reading or chanting of the Gospel) and one on the south (for the Epistle) side of the choir or presbytery. Remnants of the ambo may be found at the Basilica of St Clement in Rome and St Mark's Basilica in Venice.