ARCHITECTURE WORD OF THE WEEK.C.

Architecture word of the week is CARYATID

Caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as a column, pillar or other architectural element supporting a roof or a balcony on her head. 

What is the better way to disguise a column if you are tired of Doric, Ionic or Corinthian look? Hide the column inside of female sculpture, combining beauty and the purpose.  In my opinion this is probably one of the best inventions of Greek architecture.

The most famous caryatids are at The Porch of the Caryatids (The Porch of the Maidens) on the south side of The Erechtheion or Temple of Athena. This is an ancient Greek Ionic temple on the north side of the Acropolis in Athens, which was primarily dedicated to the goddess Athena.  However, the sculptures which are currently at the temple are replicas. The real ones are moved to The Acropolis Museum in Athens.  

The name “caryatid” is derived from the Greek word, which translates to “maidens of Karyai”, the ancient Peloponnesian town with a temple devoted to Greek goddess Artemis.

Caryatids were used throughout the centuries as decorative supports in the buildings of different architectural styles.