Pergula

Pergula is a historical term used in architectural and garden contexts to describe a light, open structure that forms a shaded walkway, arcade, or seating area. In overview, it is closely related to the modern pergola, but pergula is the older, more general designation found in classical and early garden literature. The word is rooted in Latin, where pergula or related forms referred to beams or rafters shaping a light roof or lattice; the exact etymology is not uniformly agreed.

Design and construction of pergula structures typically involve a series of vertical posts or columns supporting a roof composed of beams, slats, or latticework. The roofing is usually permeable, allowing dappled light and air to pass through. Materials can include wood, stone, brick, or metal, and the structures may be freestanding or integrated into walls or terraces. Climbing plants such as vines are often trained over the framework to enhance shade and aesthetic appeal.

Historical context is rooted in Roman and later Italian garden design, where pergula-like elements framed views, sheltered walkways, and connected different garden rooms. During the Renaissance and in subsequent European landscape architecture, they evolved into more formal garden features, influencing the development of the later pergola.

In contemporary usage, pergula remains a descriptive term in some historical texts, while the term pergola is widely adopted in modern architecture and landscape design to denote the familiar open-roofed, vine-supported garden structure. See also arbor and colonnade for related architectural features.