Pier (architecture) facts for kids

The Pont du Gard (built around 19 BC) in Nîmes, France. It has three rows of piers that support its arches and the bridge itself.

In architecture, a pier is a strong, upright support. It holds up structures like arches or bridges. Imagine the big, solid parts of a wall between windows or doors. These can act like piers. You might also see piers at the ends or corners of outside walls.

What is a Pier?

A cross-shaped pier inside Wells Cathedral, England.

Piers often have a simple shape, like a square or a rectangle. But they can also be other shapes. In older buildings, especially from the Middle Ages, you might see huge circular piers. Some piers are shaped like a cross (called cruciform). Others are compound piers, which means they are made of several smaller parts joined together.

Columns are similar upright supports, but they usually stand on a round base. Sometimes, columns are also called piers. In buildings, the space between two piers, like a window or a door opening, is called a bay.

Bridge Piers

A concrete bridge pier being built. It will hold up the bridge deck.

A large, four-part pier supporting a highway overpass in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Bridges that cross a single gap have strong supports at each end. These are called abutments. They hold the bridge's weight and stop the earth from moving. For bridges with many sections, piers are needed. These piers support the ends of the bridge sections between the abutments.

In places where it gets very cold, the part of a pier facing upstream might have a special shape. This is called a starkwater. It helps stop broken ice from piling up against the pier when snow melts. The starkwater has a sharp edge, sometimes called a cutwater. This edge can be made of concrete or stone. Often, it has a steel cap to make it stronger and help break the ice. The starkwater is usually angled. This way, the water current pushes the ice upwards, breaking it into smaller pieces. These pieces can then flow past the pier easily.

Famous Examples

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. It stands on four huge, flat piers.

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, is a famous example. Its large central arch and smaller side arches are held up by four huge, flat piers.

St Peter's Basilica

Donato Bramante's first plan for St Peter's Basilica. The solid black shapes show the piers. The double lines between them show the vaulting.

Donato Bramante first designed St Peter's Basilica in Rome. His plan included very detailed piers. Four main piers were meant to hold the weight of the huge dome in the center. However, these piers were found to be too small. Later, Michelangelo changed them to support the dome's massive weight.

The piers of the four apses (rounded parts) that stick out from the outer walls are also very strong. They need to be strong to hold up the half-domes above them. Many niches (small alcoves) are carved into the walls of these piers.

Montacute House in England (built around 1598). Niches in the piers of the long gallery hold statues of the Nine Worthies.

See also

• Column — pillar
• Compound pier
• Pilaster
• Deep foundation