muuratut

Muuratut is a Finnish term used in architectural and historical descriptions to describe structures or spaces that have been surrounded by walls or built with substantial masonry. It functions as the plural nominative form of the past passive participle muurattu, meaning “wall-built” or “walled.”

Etymology and form: The word is derived from muuri (wall) plus the participial suffix -ttu, forming muurattu (the wall-built). The plural nominative form is muuratut, used when referring to multiple walled items. As an adjective, muuratut typically appears before a noun, as in muuratut rakennukset (the walled buildings) or muuratut kaupunginosat (the walled districts).

Usage: Muuratut is common in architectural descriptions, urban planning documents, and historical narratives. It often contrasts with open or unenclosed forms, such as buildings described as muuraamattomat or simply as edustavan avoimia rakenteita in some contexts. The term can also appear in heritage and tourism texts to highlight fortified or enclosed site features.

Examples:

- Muuratut rakennukset line the old harbor.

- Kaupungin muuratut muurit ovat osa muinaista puolustusjärjestelmää.

See also: muur, muuraus, masonry, fortification.

Notes: Muuratut is not a standalone noun; it is an adjective used with nouns to specify that those objects are surrounded by walls or built with wall-based construction.