Editing Romanesque architecture (section)

===Portals===
Romanesque churches generally have a single portal centrally placed on the west front, the focus of decoration for the façade of the building. Some churches such as [[Abbaye aux Hommes|Saint-Étienne]], Caen, (11th century) and [[Pisa Cathedral]] (late 12th century) had three western portals, in the manner of [[Early Christian architecture|Early Christian]] basilicas. Many churches, both large and small, had lateral entrances that were commonly used by worshippers.

Romanesque doorways have a character form, with the jambs having a series of receding planes, into each of which is set a circular shaft, all surmounted by a continuous abacus. The semi-circular arch which rises from the abacus has the same series planes and circular mouldings as the jambs.<ref name=BF309>Banister Fletcher p. 309</ref> There are typically four planes containing three shafts, but there may be as many as twelve shafts, symbolic of the apostles.

The opening of the portal may be arched, or may be set with a lintel supporting a tympanum, generally carved, but in Italy sometimes decorated with mosaic or fresco. A carved tympanum generally constitutes the major sculptural work of a Romanesque church. The subject of the carving on a major portal may be Christ in Majesty or the Last Judgement. Lateral doors may include other subjects such as the [[Nativity in art|Birth of Christ]]. The portal may be protected by a porch, with simple open porches being typical of Italy, and more elaborate structures typical of France and Spain.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160" widths="210" caption="Portals">
File:Verona Italy San Zeno DSC08235.JPG|alt=San Zeno, Verona, has a porch typical of Italy. The square-topped doorway is surmounted by a mosaic. To either side are marble reliefs showing the Fall of Man and the Life of Christ|San Zeno, Verona, has a porch typical of Italy. The square-topped doorway is surmounted by a mosaic. To either side are marble reliefs showing the [[Fall of Man]] and the [[Life of Christ in art|Life of Christ]].
File:Lincoln cathedral Gallery of Kings.jpg|The mouldings of the arched central west door of [[Lincoln Cathedral]] are decorated by chevrons and other formal and figurative ornament typical of English Norman. <small>The "Gallery of Kings" above the portal is Gothic</small>
File:Arles,ancienne cathédrale St Trophime,portail roman1190.jpg|The Basilica of Saint-Trophime, Arles, France, has an elaborate sculptural scheme which includes Christ in Majesty, a frieze extending over the lintel and a gallery of sculptured figures.
File:SantiagoCompostela-PortaPlaterias-bis.jpg|The Porta de Praterías, [[Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela]], by Master Esteban, has two wide openings with tympanums supported on brackets. The sculptured frieze above is protected by an eave on corbels.
File:Portal moissac.jpg|alt=The portal of Saint-Pierre, Moissac, has unusual features including the frieze of roundels on the lintel, the scalloped jambs and figures of prophets on the central jamb|The portal of Saint-Pierre, Moissac, has unusual features including the frieze of roundels on the lintel, the scalloped jambs and figures of prophets on the central jamb.
</gallery>