Pasazhe

Pasazhe, singular pasazh or pasazh, is a term used in several Central and Eastern European languages to denote a covered shopping passage or arcade. A pasazh typically is a long, narrow indoor corridor linking two streets, lined with storefronts on both sides, and often featuring a glass roof or skylights and an iron or steel frame. The design originated in the 19th century as cities industrialized and glass and metal technologies advanced, allowing weather-protected retail and social space. Pasazhes served as commercial centers, offering boutiques, cafés, and services, while also functioning as urban promenades and architectural showcases.

In many languages the word is used for similar structures, including pasáž or pasaż in Polish, pasazh in Russian and Ukrainian, and pasáž in Czech; the term is sometimes translated as arcade or passage. Architecturally, pasazhes combine practical urban shopping with decorative façades, sometimes mixing neoclassical, Art Nouveau, or later styles, depending on the city and period.

Today, pasazhes survive in numerous cities across Europe and the former Soviet states. Some have been preserved as historic monuments and adapted for contemporary use, including shops, offices, or cultural venues. They reflect 19th-century urban modernization, the rise of consumer culture, and the shift toward climate-controlled public spaces.