An attic is an elevation on top of the cornice of a building. This decoration hides some of the roof from view. As a construction element it was used during the Middle Ages in Toscany. In Belgium it was introduced during the gothic period, to become used more commonly during the renaissance and more importantly the baroque. During this period the attic could grow to the size of half a floor, and was then called 'mezzanine'. In French classicism the attics became very heavy, without closing cornices.