In the tranquility of a European street lined with colorful buildings, an architectural detail catches the eye: a row of window grilles, elegantly curved outwards like the hem of a dress billowing in a gentle breeze. Their function seems obvious at first glance: security. But upon closer inspection, much more is revealed: a perfect union of art and function, protection and poetry.
Let’s delve into the history, design, and mystery of these poetic grids that combine creativity and utility.
1. Functional Origin
Window grilles, also called bars, have been used for centuries to protect homes from intruders. Their main function is security: a barrier between the inside of the home and outside dangers.
But as cities became more beautiful and architecture more decorative, blacksmiths began to transform these purely utilitarian objects into aesthetic elements.