The tympanum

The tympanum, overhanging the Southern doorway blooms out and represents a climax in Romanesque art.

Carved circa 1130,
it illustrates the fourth chapter of the book of Revelation and represents Christ in majesty,
with the symbols of gospels writers : the Tetramorph around him.

24 Elderly people watch him on three rows, the Chosen ones represent whole mankind saved, enthroned like Gods, crowned like kings.They hold their music instruments and gold-cups which are saints' prayers.

The monolithic pier
is carved with three couples of lions,
its sides are adorned with the portraits of Saint Paul and famous Jeremy.

On the jambs,
Saint Pierre and prophet Isaiah
complete the symbolism of the double entrance
into faith
through the Old and New
Testament.

The splaying on the right illustrate
gospel scenes of Jesus' nativity and
on the left, they stigmatize Lust and Greed.


| Homepage | The Abbey Saint-Pierre | The Abbey Church Saint-Pierre | the Cloister |
| Center of Roman Art | Tourist Information | Museum | Water | the Fruit |