Tympanum (architecture)

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The late Romanesque tympanum of Vézelay Abbey, Burgundy, France, 1130s.

In architecture, a tympanum (plural, tympana) is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch.^[1] It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments.^[2] Most architectural styles include this element.^[3]

In ancient Greek and Roman and in Christian architecture tympana usually contain religious imagery.^[4] Bands of molding surrounding the tympanum are referred to as the archivolt.^[5]

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The 2000-year-old Pantheon in Rome, Italy. The tympanum is the area inside the triangular pediment (plain here but was originally decorated).
Archivolts surrounding a tympanum of the west façade Strasbourg Cathedral, France
The three tympana on the main façade of Notre-Dame de Paris, France
Sculpted tympanum in Stralsund, Germany
Adoration of the Magi on a tympanum on Saint-Thiébaut Church, Thann, France
Religious scene in a tympanum, Saint Joseph church, Clermont-Ferrand, France
Scenes of the lives of Saint Peter and Mary, Saint Peter church, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
High-relief bronze tympanum of Writing, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, DC
Tympanum (showing the tree of life) and archivolt at Church of St Mary and St David, Kilpeck
Tympanum showing Christ in Majesty with four attendant angels, Rowlestone, Herefordshire