Definitions for "Propylaea"
The buildings at the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens.
Propylaea, Propylea or Propylaia (in Greek — Προπυλαια) is the term given to monumental gateways based on the original Propylaea that serves as the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. The word propylaea (propylaeum is the Latin version) is the union of the prefix pro (before or in front of) plus the plural of the Greek pylon or pylaion (gate), meaning literally that which is before the gates, but the word has come to mean simply gate building. The Brandenburg Gate of Berlin is specifically copied from the central portion of the Proplaea.