The first thing we are going to do when it comes to knowing the meaning of the term balcony is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can say that it is a word that derives from Italian, exactly from “balcone”, which was the name given to the platform that came out of an upper area on the façade. That word that we cannot forget came, for its part, from another Germanic word such as “balko”, which is synonymous with “beam”.
The term is used to name the window that extends to the floor of a room and gives rise to a space that extends beyond the closed surface of the construction, with a railing or handrail as a limit.
The balcony, therefore, is a platform that is supported by brackets or columns and that projects from the wall of a house or building. It is a structure that is elevated from the ground .
For example: “I'm going to hang the clothes on the balcony so it dries faster,” “On my balcony I have several flowering plants,” “Grandpa Héctor usually spends sunny mornings reading on the balcony.”
A window or door that opens and closes to allow or prevent access to the balcony is also known as a balcony: “It started to rain: could you please close the balcony so that water does not enter the dining room?” , “I think I'll open the balcony to get some fresh air” , “When opening the balcony, the young man was surprised by the low temperature” .
In residential homes, the balcony is often used to have a panoramic view of the outside, hang clothes, grow plants or enjoy the outdoors. In other contexts, balconies are used in ceremonies or to deliver speeches that can be followed from outside the building by many people.
In the same way, we cannot ignore that in many cities around the world, the balconies of town halls are used to, among other things, host the proclamations that are made when the festivities begin. A good example of this is the balcony of the Pamplona City Hall (Navarra) from which the proclamation is given and the “chupinazo” takes place with which the San Fermín festivities begin.
The balcony of St. Peter's Basilica , to name one example, is used by the Pope to give mass or blessings.
Likewise, we must establish the existence of balconies that are true architectural jewels. Among those stands out, for example, that of the Casa Milá in Barcelona, made by Antoni Gaudí.
Literature has made use of balconies to develop important scenes. This would be the case, for example, of the famous balcony scene from “Romeo and Juliet” (1597) by William Shakespeare. Moment in which the young man takes advantage of that corner of his Juliet's house to expose his love to her. A love that will be reciprocated from that moment on.