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Stoa

A stoa (/ˈstə/; plural, stoas,[1] stoai,[1] or stoae /ˈst./[2]), in ancient Greek architecture, is a covered walkway or portico, commonly for public use.[3] Early stoas were open at the entrance with columns, usually of the Doric order, lining the side of the building; they created a safe, enveloping, protective atmosphere.

This article is about an architectural feature. For other uses, see Stoa (disambiguation).

This, an "open-fronted shelter with a lean-to roof", is the meaning in modern usage, but in fact the ancient Greeks "made no clear distinction in their speech" between these and large enclosed rooms with similar functions.[4]


Later examples were built as two stories, and incorporated inner colonnades usually in the Ionic style, where shops or sometimes offices were located. These buildings were open to the public; merchants could sell their goods, artists could display their artwork, and religious gatherings could take place. Stoas usually surrounded the marketplaces or agora of large cities and were used as a framing device.[5]


Other examples were designed to create safe, protective atmospheres which combined useful inside and outside space. The name of the Stoic school of philosophy derives from "stoa".[6]

"Painted Porch", from which the philosophy Stoicism takes its name

Stoa Poikile

Stoa of Attalos

(Royal Stoa)

Stoa Basileios

at Athens

Stoa of Zeus

Stoa Amphiaraion

Stoa of the Athenians

Royal Stoa of 's Temple

Herod

Arcade (architecture)

Greek Architecture, 1957, Penguin, Pelican history of art

Lawrence, A. W.

YASOU

. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.

"Stoa"