What is a Loggia?—A Q&A in cultural heritage
I was recently presented with the question, “What is a loggia?” Due to my art history/interior design background I am somewhat familiar with the term, but decided to do a little research to learn more about this unique word.
During my research, it appeared that scholarship completed during the late 19th century/early 20th century worked to define the term in a clear and succinct manner. In recent years experts have begun to explore the term’s history in greater depth.
Several sources describe loggia as follows:
- “A terrace like area, usually covered by a vault or a portico open on the sides, but word has also been applied to other building types.”—The Market and the City by Donatella Calabi and Marlene Klein, 2004.
- “A gallery like space that is open on one side and often has pillars. It can also be a quite separate structure near but apart from a main house or building.”—Dictionary of Architecture and Interior Design by Mary Gilliatt, 2004
- “A term peculiar to Italian palatial architecture, to the climate of which it belongs. Any covered space of which one or more of the sides are open to the air, by arcades or colonnades, whether it be on the ground floor, as the Loggia dei Lanzi at Florence or the arcades that so often occupy the cortile of the palaces, in which case it is nearly the same as the portions or stoa of the ancients; or whether it be above, so as to form open Galleries or Corridors, as the loggie di Raffaello at the Vatican. The term is sometimes applied to a balcony, as the loggia pontificate in front of S. Peter’s.”—A Glossary of Terms used in Grecian, Roman, Italian, and Gothic Architecture, by John Henry Parker, 1850
Who typically used loggias? The Encyclopedia Britannica states that Ancient Egyptian houses often had a loggia on their roofs or an interior loggia facing upon a court. Other literature illustrates that they were used in Mediterranean countries during the Middle Ages as well. In Market and the City it is described as “…a building that was the seat of a guild or a confraternity which housed institutions and protected group interests.” It also states that “more often it was the site of a sheltered or covered market (the fish, grain or wool loggia)…” as well as a place frequented by business men where they could complete their transactions in privacy.
A loggia may be seen in some of today’s homes across the US and used as a place in which to relax or entertain. During your travels have you seen a loggia or do you have one in your own home? If so, tell me about them and feel free to include links to your own blog with pictures of it.
Excellent !
Makes for a wonderful entry or passagata.
Nancy Harper
July 7, 2009
We recently completed a university library in Utah in which a space evolved that I named a “loggia” after much debate and consulting various sources and dictionaries of architecture so I appreciate your post on this. You can see it on our website here: http://www.alspectorarchitecture.com/uvsc.htm
It’s shown in the 3rd anf 5th photo and also on the 1dst and 2nd floor plans.
Jacob Alspector
July 8, 2009