ballatoio
external gallery
noun bahl-lah-TOH-yoh Rare
Origin: From 'ballare' (to dance) — originally a platform for performances.
Also means
open-air corridor
Usage Note
Ballatoio refers to an external walkway or open gallery running along the facade of a building, common in older Italian apartment blocks and rural farmhouses. It differs from balcone (balcony), which projects from a single apartment. The plural is i ballatoi.
Examples
"Le stanze si affacciano sul ballatoio comune."
Natural Translation
The rooms overlook the shared external gallery.

Free starter pack
Building your Italian vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic