The door, or portal, of a temple or sanctuary carries in itself a powerful symbolism . This symbolism supports and only deepens the fundamental symbolism of the door itself as a passage between two states.
What is a Romanesque church portal?
In Romanesque and Gothic architecture, each one of a series of arches framing the tympanum of a portal . Lintel: a horizontal beam spanning an openings, as over a window or door, or between two posts. ... The jambs of the portals of Romanesque and Gothic churches are frequently decorated with figure sculpture.
Why was the Romanesque church portal important?
The portal of Romanesque churches illustrates the above principle quite wonderfully. For example, by suggesting the vault of Heaven in its carved arch , it attracts us to the realm of Spirit and promises us the glory of the life to come.
What is the portal in a church?
A portal is an opening in a wall of a building, gate or fortification , especially a grand entrance to an important structure. ... The elements of a portal can include the voussoir, tympanum, an ornamented mullion or trumeau between doors, and columns with carvings of saints in the westwork of a church.
What are the three main areas that make up a Romanesque church portal?
- Archivolts. ornamental molding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch.
- Voussiors. one of the wedge-shaped pieces forming an arch or vault.
- Tympanum. semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, sits on a lintel.
- Doorjamb. ...
- Trumeau. ...
- lintel.
What was the main function of the Romanesque churches?
The first consistent style was called Romanesque, which was at its peak between 1050 and 1200. Romanesque churches used art, largely painting and sculpture, to communicate important things . For one, art was used as visual reminders of biblical stories, which helped teach the faith to an illiterate population.
Why is it called Romanesque?
The Romanesque was at its height between 1075 and 1125 in France, Italy, Britain, and the German lands. The name Romanesque refers to the fusion of Roman, Carolingian and Ottonian, Byzantine, and local Germanic traditions that make up the mature style.
What is the principle of Romanesque?
Romanesque churches characteristically incorporated semicircular arches for windows, doors, and arcades ; barrel or groin vaults to support the roof of the nave; massive piers and walls, with few windows, to contain the outward thrust of the vaults; side aisles with galleries above them; a large tower over the crossing ...
Which example is in the Romanesque style?
Other important examples of Romanesque styles include the cathedrals of Worms and Mainz , Limburg Cathedral (in the Rhenish Romanesque style), Maulbronn Abbey (an example of Cistercian architecture), and the famous castle of Wartburg, which was later expanded in the Gothic style.
Why is Romanesque architectural sculpture most commonly found on church portals?
Some Romanesque churches feature an extensive sculptural scheme which covers the area surrounding the portal and sometimes much of the facade. The sculptural schemes were designed to convey the message that Christian believers should recognize wrongdoing, repent, and be redeemed .
What does portal door mean?
(Entry 1 of 3) 1 : door, entrance especially : a grand or imposing one. 2 : the whole architectural composition surrounding and including the doorways and porches of a church. 3 : the approach or entrance to a bridge or tunnel.
What is a tympanum in a church?
Tympanum, plural tympana, in Classical architecture, the area enclosed by a pediment, whether triangular or segmental . ... Fine examples of Romanesque tympana may be seen at the abbey church of Saint-Pierre at Moissac, France, and at the cathedral of Saint-Lazare at Autun.
What is a Gothic portal?
Gothic architecture
The western portals (built 1137–40), part of a total facade design , combined features that remained common throughout the Gothic period: a carved tympanum (the space within an arch and above a lintel...
Why were Romanesque churches built in such a specific way?
Romanesque churches were designed with rounded arches, and thick walls and buttresses , which served to support the size of the building.
Why are Romanesque churches generally dark inside?
Why are Romanesque churches generally rather dark inside? Barrel vaults exert great outward thrust, requiring thick walls and making a large clerestory difficult to construct .
Which of the following is a well known pilgrimage church?
Saint James in Santiago de Compostela is a well-known pilgrimage church.
