|
Balcony (from Italian balco, scaffold; cf. High German balcho, beam, balk), a kind of
platform projecting from the wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets, and enclosed with a balustrade. Sometimes balconies are adapted for
ceremonial purposes, e.g. that of St. Peter's at Rome, whence the newly elected pope gives
his blessing urbi et orbi. Inside churches balconies are sometimes provided for the singers, and in banqueting halls and the like
for the musicians. In theatres the balcony was formerly a stage-box, but the name is now usually confined to the part of
the auditorium above the dress circle and below the gallery.
The illustration shows a balcony comprising a balustrade supported at
either end by plinths. The balcony is
supported on console brackets.
|