Bible Encyclopedias
Peristyle

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(περίστυλον ) is the name applied to a court, square, or cloister, in Greek and Roman buildings, with a colonnade around it; also the colonnade itself surrounding such a space. In mediaeval Latin it is called the Quadraporticus, and was the usual arrangement in Italy in front of the churches as well as in front of houses. The nearest approach to it in England is the Cloister (q.v.).