Oszlop

Oszlop is a vertical architectural member that serves to support loads from above and transfer them to the foundation. Freestanding columns are a common feature of classical and traditional architecture, but the term also applies to decorative pillars and to columns integrated into walls (engaged columns).

Anatomy and variations

A typical oszlop has three parts: a base, a shaft, and a capital. The shaft may be smooth or fluted (with vertical channels). Some columns are monolithic, carved from a single piece of material, while others are composed of stacked drums or blocks. Bases and capitals vary in style and proportion according to architectural language and period. Columns can be load-bearing or purely decorative and may stand independently or be embedded in a wall (engaged column).

Materials and construction

Historically, oszlopok were carved from stone such as marble, limestone, or granite. Later examples use brick, concrete, or metal, especially in modern architecture. In many structures, the oszlop is part of a larger system of columns that supports an entablature and roof or arches. In contemporary design, reinforced concrete and steel enable slender or exceptionally tall columns.

Architectural styles and types

In classical architecture, columns are categorized by orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, with Tuscan and Composite variants elsewhere. The Romans adapted these orders and introduced new forms. In later periods, columns appear in Gothic, Renaissance, and modern architectures, often serving both structural and decorative roles.

Other uses

In Hungarian, oszlop also denotes any vertical pillar or post in non-architectural contexts, such as street furniture, data tables, or signage, reflecting the broad sense of a vertical supporting element.