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nockendaten
Monströsensaal
Jul 23, 2003 19:47
20 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term

Beletage

German to English Art/Literary Architecture
from a description of Schloss Moritzburg

In der Beletage unterstreichen im zentralen Steinsaal Rentier- und Elchgeweihe den Charakter von Moritzburg als Jagdschloss.

I think this must be a French term here in this German text, but I have no idea what it signifies.
Can anyone help?
Proposed translations (English)
4 piano nobile = main [principal] floor
5 First floor
5 Belle Etage`
4 main storey / bel étage
3 floor above ground floor
4 -1 elevated ground floor
4 -1 mezzanine

Proposed translations

29 mins
Selected

piano nobile = main [principal] floor

Interestingly, this Italian term is also used in this context, signifying the main (or principal) floor of a building.

Apart from the sources below, I vividly remember that Julian Harrap, the London-based conservation architect involved in the masterplan developed for Berlin Museum Island (and at the same time one of my direct clients), used this term for the main floor of the Neues Museum, one of the buildings of this complex (see http://www.museumsinsel-berlin.de).
Reference:

http://www.trp.dundee.ac.uk/research/glossary/pianonob.html

http://www.camden.gov.uk/planning/listed/listed_arch.htm#p

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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I think in this case "principal" conveys the idea very nicely, but want to thank everyone for your excellent suggestions and references!"
8 mins

main storey / bel étage

bel-étage
n. main storey of building.




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Note added at 2003-07-23 19:56:23 (GMT)
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http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/difficultwor...
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12 mins

floor above ground floor

I believe it means the above (and that it is written Belle-Etage).
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13 mins

First floor

Beth,

my Harper Collins suggests "First floor" (British) and "second floor" (American). (?? - I don't know what to make of this difference). Traditionally, the beletage (literally 'beautiful level' I believe) is the first floor with the nicest settings of a building. Does that help you?

Also, in reference to your other question, Steinsaal is probably a proper name in this context.

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16 mins

Belle Etage`

I think you are right...it is a French term and a kind of "German misspelling or just typos" in your text. However it means "beautiful floor" and it should not be translated since this term is a "common term" and found its place in almost any language!

Peer comment(s):
neutral Renate FitzRoy : the spelling is correct (étage,m)
5 mins
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-1
26 mins

elevated ground floor

Something like 5 -10 steps above ground level - sometimes more vulgarly called "Hochparterre". This is where "public rooms" are situated in a grand household.

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Note added at 2003-07-23 21:10:28 (GMT)
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Yes, Steffen, I am afraid you are right. It IS the first floor!
Peer comment(s):
disagree Steffen Walter : Sorry to disagree but your explanation doesn't seem to fit the context (Schloss Moritzburg).
5 mins
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-1
33 mins

mezzanine

Reference:

http://www.metmuseum.org/calendar/index.asp?mode=SpecExb

Peer comment(s):
disagree Renate FitzRoy : Das ist doch meist ein nicht allzu großzügiges Zwischengeschoss
51 mins
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