Gallerie

Gallerie is the plural form of galleria in Italian. The term is used in Italian to refer to multiple galleries, including art galleries, or to architectural passages called gallerie. The word galleria itself derives from Latin galeria via French galerie.

In architecture, a galleria or galleria-like space is a long, covered passage or concourse, often featuring arches, colonnades, or a glass roof. Shopping arcades and covered walkways in historical city centers are commonly called gallerie in Italian contexts. In many Italian cities, gallerie connect streets and public spaces and serve as commercial or social hubs.

In the art world, galleria is used to denote an art gallery—an exhibition space that may be private or public and may sell works of art. The plural gallerie appears in names of institutions, such as Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice or Gallerie degli Uffizi in Florence. A gallery differs from a museum in that it primarily focuses on exhibitions and sales, while museums emphasize the conservation and display of a permanent collection.

Beyond Italy, the plural form gallerie may appear in English-language discussions of Italian architecture or in the titles of Italian galleries. The term should be distinguished from galería, galería in Spanish, and Galerie in German or French, which are cognates but spellings vary by language.