Arcade facts for kids

An arcade is a special kind of covered walkway or passage. Imagine a long hallway where one side is open to a street or a courtyard, and the roof is held up by a series of arches. These arches are often supported by columns or pillars, creating a beautiful, repeating pattern. Arcades are found in many different types of buildings, from ancient Roman structures to modern shopping centers. They provide shelter from the sun or rain and often offer a nice place to walk or relax.

What is an Arcade in Architecture?

In architecture, an arcade is a series of arches that are supported by columns, piers, or pillars. These arches form a covered passage. Arcades can be part of a building's design, like along the front of a palace or a church. They can also be standalone structures, such as a long row of arches that support an aqueduct.

Why Were Arcades Built?

Arcades were built for several reasons. One main reason was to create a sheltered space. People could walk along an arcade to stay out of the sun, rain, or wind. This made them popular in marketplaces, where merchants could set up their stalls under cover. They also added beauty and grandeur to buildings, making them look more impressive.

Different Uses of Arcades

• Shopping and Markets: Many old cities have arcades that were used as shopping areas. Merchants would sell their goods under the arches, and shoppers could browse comfortably. These often became busy centers of trade.
• Public Buildings: Arcades are often seen on the outside of important public buildings like town halls, museums, and churches. They provide a grand entrance and a place for people to gather.
• Gardens and Courtyards: Sometimes, arcades surround courtyards or gardens, creating a peaceful, shaded area for walking or contemplation.
• Aqueducts: In ancient times, Romans built huge aqueducts to carry water over long distances. Many of these aqueducts used a series of arches to support the water channel, forming a type of arcade.

Famous Examples of Arcades

You can find famous arcades all over the world. In Italy, the Bologna Porticoes are a very long system of arcades that stretch for many miles through the city. In Paris, France, there are many beautiful covered passages from the 19th century, which were early versions of shopping malls. These arcades often have glass roofs, letting in light while keeping out the weather.

Arcades and Video Games

The word "arcade" can also mean something completely different: a place where you play video games. These are called "video arcades" or "amusement arcades." They are filled with coin-operated games like pinball machines, racing games, and classic video games. While the word is the same, the meaning is very different from the architectural arcades.

Images for kids

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  Arcades on the Alster in Hamburg, Germany.

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  The Casa Peso, a money exchange office during fairs at Medina del Campo, Spain.

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  An arcade in Bucharest, Romania.

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  A sunlit arcade in a school in Havana, Cuba.

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  The Roman Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, showing many arches.

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  The market place in Münster, Germany, with buildings featuring arcades.

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  Arcades giving onto a closed square at the Münzhof in Munich, Germany.

See also

In Spanish: Arcade (desambiguación) para niños