pasaj

Pasaj is a term used in several languages to denote a covered pedestrian passage or shopping arcade. In Turkish, Polish, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian contexts, a pasaj or pasazh refers to a covered corridor that connects streets or courtyards and often houses shops, cafes, or small businesses. The term is commonly applied to historic arcades in urban centers, though it can also describe modern enclosed passages.

The word derives from the French passage and has entered multiple European languages with the same broad sense of a route people pass through, typically emphasizing architectural space as well as commerce.

Pasaj buildings are usually pedestrian-focused, often featuring a glass or skylight roof. They typically have ground-floor retail with upper levels used for offices or residences, and frequently showcase decorative façades, ironwork, and marble or tile interiors. Their design aims to provide shelter from weather while creating a controlled, walkable commercial environment.

Geography and examples: In Turkey, pasajs are common in cities such as Istanbul and are part of historic shopping districts. Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) on Istiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu is a well-known late-19th-century example. In other parts of Europe, similar covered passages exist and may be described in local languages as pasazh or passazh, reflecting a shared urban typology. Many of these passages are protected as cultural heritage and restored to accommodate contemporary retail while preserving historic character.

See also: Arcade (architecture); Covered passage; Shopping arcade.