The first thing we are going to do when 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 the Italian, exactly “balcone”, which was the name given to the platform that came out of an upper area on the facade. Word that we can not forget that it came, on the other hand, from another Germanic such as "Balko", which is synonymous with "beam."
The term is used to name the picture window that extends to the floor of an environment and that gives rise to a space that extends beyond the closed surface of the construction, with a railing or railing as a limit.
The balcony, therefore, is a platform that is supported with brackets or columns and that is projected from the wall of a house or building. It is a structure that is elevated from I usually .
For example: "I'm going to hang clothes on the balcony so it dries faster", “On my balcony I have several flowering plants”, “Grandpa Hector usually spends sunny mornings reading on the balcony”.
It is also known as a balcony to the window or door that opens and closes to allow or prevent passage to the balcony: "It started to rain: could you please close the balcony so the water does not enter the dining room?", “I think I will open the balcony to get some fresh air”, "When he opened the balcony, the young man was surprised by the low temperature".
In residential homes, the balcony is often used to have a panoramic view from outside, hang clothes, grow plants or enjoy the outdoors. In other contexts, balconies are used in ceremonies or to pronounce speeches which can be followed from outside the building by many people.
In the same way, we cannot ignore that in many cities of the world the balconies of the town halls are used to, among other things, house the proclamations that are made when the festivities begin. A good example of this is the balcony of the City Council of Pamplona (Navarra) from which the proclamation is given and the “chupinazo” takes place with which the San Fermín festivities begin.
The balcony of the Basilica of Saint Peter , to cite a case, is used by the Pope to give mass or blessings.
Also, we must establish the existence of balconies that are true architectural gems. Among those, the one of the Casa Mila in Barcelona, made by Antoni Gaudí, stands out.
Literature has made use of balconies to develop important scenes. This would be the case, for example, of the famous balcony scene of "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. A love that will be reciprocated from that moment.
