A colonnade is a long row of columns that support a roof or stand in the open air, often creating a covered walkway. Picture the front of a grand government building, museum, or courthouse: those evenly spaced columns marching in a line form a colonnade. Ancient Greeks and Romans built magnificent colonnades around their temples and public spaces, and architects still use them today to make buildings feel impressive and welcoming.

The columns in a colonnade can be plain or decorative, simple or elaborate. Some colonnades form peaceful walkways where people can stroll while staying shaded from the sun or sheltered from the rain. Others create the grand entrance to an important building, making visitors feel like they're stepping into something significant.

You might walk through a colonnade at a museum, a university campus, or a historic building. The repeating pattern of columns creates a sense of rhythm and order. When Thomas Jefferson designed the University of Virginia, he used colonnades to connect different buildings, creating covered walkways where students could walk between classes even in bad weather.