What is a cortile?
A cortile is an open courtyard in an Italian palace or townhouse, surrounded by arcaded galleries with arches or columns on multiple levels. The cortile forms the heart of the building and served as a reception area, light well and ventilation source. The concept dates back to Roman architecture and was further developed during the Renaissance.
Characteristics
- Open to the sky — the courtyard is not covered
- Enclosed on all sides — the building surrounds the cortile on three or four sides
- Galleries — arcaded or colonnaded walkways on the ground floor and upper levels
- Symmetry — the cortile is often strictly symmetrical
- Water feature — frequently equipped with a fountain or well
Applications
- Italian palaces — the Palazzo Medici in Florence has a celebrated cortile with round-arched galleries
- Monasteries — the cloister walk around a courtyard is related to the cortile
- Universities — historic university buildings in Italy and Spain
- Modern architecture — the courtyard concept continues to be applied in housing and office design
Difference from patio and atrium
A patio is the Spanish variant, often smaller and more informal. An atrium in Roman times was a partially covered interior space with a roof opening (compluvium). The cortile is specifically Italian and more monumental in character.
Related terms
- Atrium
- Arcade
- Column
- Renaissance
- Gallery
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