20 - Once more we return in front of the church, and step onto the embankment in front of the main entry. I stop in order to admire the portal somewhat hidden by the branches of the centuries old olive trees growing in front of Sant’Antimo. My friend again continues to explain, “Those semi-pilasters with the attached columns, standing against the façade, and the traces of arches evident on the wall, lead us to believe that the portal must have been preceded by a portico. The architrave dates back to the 12th century. It is sculpted with a foliate vine, which symbolises the Tree of Life. An interesting Latin inscription informs us about Azzo dei Porcari (a family from Lucca) - ‘monk, father, and then deacon’ - who most probably was the author of the magnificent architectonic innovations brought about in the church, without having been able, nonetheless, to supervise the actual execution. In fact, he died about ten years before the grandiose construction was begun. When I explain the following part, you will understand more easily what I am talking about.
21 – “The rest of the portal is of a slightly later period. The capitals, the frieze with vegetal motifs, and the recessed fluted arch, all recall the Toulousan prototypes. We will find this French influence in other parts of the church as well. The portal, as it stands today, is probably a make-shift solution. The original project must have been comprised of two portals equal in width to the nave.”
My attention is drawn to the frieze on the architrave. “What type of stone was used for the execution of the portal?”
“A local stone, partly travertine, and partly alabaster,” replies the brother.
“But travertine is a light-coloured stone, how come this ochre colour?”
“Because in the Middle Ages the external sculptured stones were treated with an ochre-coloured powder mixed together with organic substances derived from fish.”
Quite astounded, I ask, “For what purpose?”
“In order to protect the stonework from the wearing action of time. Quite ingenious, don’t you think?”
22 – The brother continues to explain about the portal and says, “A study of Sant’Antimo was made by the art historian Raspi-Serra, and completed in the 1960’s. It brought us to conclude that the portal on the left side of the church of Santa Maria in San Quirico d’Orcia (approximately 20 km from Saint’Antimo), is none other than one of the two portals intended for the abbey. Perhaps the monastery, at that time, already in a state of decline, decided to give over the second portal to this other church.”