Definition of architrave

The term "architrave" originates from the ancient Greek language. It combines the words "archi" (meaning chief or principal) and "traitos" (meaning beam). These words were used to describe the topmost beam or molding of an ancient Greek entablature, which is the horizontal part of a building's facade that sits above its columns. During the classical period of Greek architecture, this particular beam or molding served as the base for the frieze, a decorative horizontal band, and provided a transition between the column and the frieze. In Latin, this Greek construction was translated as "arcastra" but later adopted and adapted in English as "architrave". Today, an architrave refers to the molding that typically surrounds a door or window opening in classical and neoclassical architectural styles. It often features decorative patterns, scrolls, or letters and serves as a visual and functional feature as it frames the entrance and protects it from the weather. The architrave, in essence, is an architectural element that showcases the historical and cultural roots of Western civilization, reminding us of the heritage of ancient Greece.