Coloniales

Coloniales is the plural form of the adjective colonial in Spanish and other Romance languages, used to describe things related to colonies or to the colonial period. In historical contexts, it commonly modifies sites, institutions, and cultural practices associated with empire-building from the early modern era into the 19th century and beyond.

In architecture and urban planning, colonial refers to styles and building programs introduced or adapted under colonial rule. Colonial architecture is found across the Americas, Africa, and parts of Asia, combining European design elements—such as symmetry and arcades—with local materials, climates, and building methods. The term also extends to religious, military, and residential structures.

In contemporary discourse, coloniales is used in heritage, museum, and tourism contexts to designate preserved or restored colonial-era sites. The label can carry political and ethical implications, given the history of conquest and domination; some scholars and institutions prefer terms like época colonial or colonial-era to reflect nuance and avoid romanticization.

See also: colonialism, colonial architecture, colonial history.