Colonnade is an element of architecture

The word "column" is of French origin and is literally translated as "pillar". It is a vertical support, a rod-shaped architectural element having a circular cross-section. In turn, the colonnade is one row of columns or several of their rows. Read more about this structure in the article.

Historical reference

There are no historical documents indicating where and when the colonnade first began to be built. Even in the Ancient World columns were used to strengthen the dwellings. But it is precisely known that in the architecture of Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, an element such as the colonnade was used. This is confirmed by archaeological excavations.

Ancient Egyptian temple of the Sphinx in Giza has a single doorway that leads to the inner courtyard, surrounded on all sides by a colonnade.

The ancient Greeks expressed their desire for beauty in architectural forms. In their temples were often used columns, a dense wall surrounding the building along the entire perimeter.

The Roman genius proved himself in the organization of space. For them, the colonnade is a kind of zoning method for the construction of yards in the commercial, judicial and government buildings of the forums.

Beautiful colonnades in the world architecture

Where in the world architecture there is a colonnade? This is primarily the Roman St. Peter's Square, built in the 17th century by the project of the famous architect Bernini. On both sides it is surrounded by colonnades, which consist of 284 Doric columns 20 meters high and 1.5 meters wide. The top of the colonnade is crowned with 140 statues.

No less famous is the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg and its colonnade. This magnificent architectural structure was built by the architect A.N. Voronikhin.

Deserves the "Colonnade of Apollo" in the Pavlovsky Palace. The object of cultural heritage is the Vorontsovskaya colonnade in Odessa, built in the style of the Tuscan order.

Very often such an element is used in park architecture.

Natural colonnades in nature

Nature creates strikingly beautiful reliefs. The amazingly picturesque natural basalt colonnades, scattered all over the earth, amaze the imagination. Their harmony and precision of execution can compete with the human genius:

• Garni Gorge in Armenia;
• Japanese Takachiho-kyo Gorge;
• "Devil's Tower" in the US state of Wyoming;
• "The Devil's Walk" in California;
• Cave "Akun" in Alaska;
• "Sugar Mountain" in the Caribbean;
• New Zealand's Cargill Mount;
• Mountain "Jackson Creek" in the Australian state of Victoria.

Now you know exactly what a colonnade is.