Archivolt

We call arquivolta, a word from the Italian archivolto, each of the pillars or moldings that form a series of concentric arches decorating the arch of the medieval doorways in its exterior facing, running along its curve throughout its entire length and ending in the impost. Or in a simpler way, molding placed around an arch. The archivolts define the series of flared arches that form a doorway.

They usually start from one jamb of the porch and end in the other. It is common in Romanesque and Gothic.

Features

Arquivolts solve the aesthetic problem presented by openings in a thick wall, avoiding the sensation of a tunnel that they can generate. It is common for them to be adorned with reliefs, as their use spreads. Initially, geometric decorations were made in the shape of saw teeth, checkered or dice, to later move on to plant elements and finally it was decorated with half-bulk sculptural elements (Saints, Apostles, etc.). The Portico of Glory of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a magnificent example of archivolts.