The baldacchino (Italianism for baldacchino, in turn coming from Baldac, the name by which the city of Baghdad was known in the Middle Ages)[1]​ is a type of temple formed by four columns "Column (architecture)") that support a dome or flat canopy, intended to shelter the altar "Altar (religion)") when it is in an isolated position. Beautiful curtains hung from its columns and architraves in the Middle Ages, which always completely hidden the altar and the celebrants from the view of the people, a practice followed in the churches of the East through the iconostasis, whose doors are closed in the most solemn act of the celebration.

The baldachin began to be used in the century and continued to be used in basilicas that imitated the style of those in Rome, and in Byzantine ones such as San Marco in Venice. When the altar was attached, the baldachin was replaced by a type of canopy made of fabric or painted wood, which disappeared when the altarpieces became large. From the canopy or canopy hung votive objects, the cross and the little box with the Reservado. The most notable baldachin known in Spain is found in the cathedral of Gerona, sheltering the main altar with its silver altarpiece, both from the century with chiseled and enamelled figures. Another, older canopy is preserved by the Barcelona Museum (from the 13th century to the 13th century); It is made of painted wood and also has figures of Jesus Christ and the saints in a vaulted ceiling.

The term baldachin derives from the Italian baldacchino, which in turn comes from the homonymous word with which the fabric with which it was formed was designated, and which owes its name to the fact that it comes from Baghdad (in old Italian Baldac or Baldacco), capital of current Iraq.

In the Canary Islands (Spain) the architecture of the baldachin gave rise to a type of cult device unique in this Spanish archipelago,[2]​ these are the so-called "andas de baldachin" also called "". It is a piece to transport devotional images in procession that respects the typical typology of the baldachin, that is: a central architectural construction, with a square, polygonal or circular plan, but with an essential condition, being supported by free columns. The main function of the baldachin litter is to enhance dignity; dedicated primarily to the Eucharist, although it is also intended for the veneration of images.[2]​.