Cathedral of Palermo, Italy: description, history and interesting facts

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is better known as the Cathedral. This is a unique building that was erected in the Middle Ages and still impresses others with its grandeur and beauty, the creation of which was worked by Spanish, Arab and German sculptors and artists. In the article we will tell in detail what the Palermo Cathedral is. Description of the building and its interior attractions will be interesting to all lovers of architecture.

Historical reference on construction

The history of the Cathedral of Palermo has more than fifteen centuries. On this place in the fourth century there was a church named after the martyr Mamilian. Then it was destroyed by vandals, and instead of it the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos was built (in 604). Two hundred years later, in 831, Palermo was captured by the Arabs, who turned the church into a Friday mosque. When the Normans came to the city in 1072, the building was again christened in honor of the Mother of God.

Later the temple was destroyed, and from it there were only a column of the southern portico, located on the left, and a crypt. Therefore, in the second half of the 12th century a new building was built in its place - the cathedral. Since that time the building has been gradually expanded and completed. Originally it was a three-nave church with three apses. But a hundred years later the towers were built in the corners of the building, and even a decade later in the southeast there was a sacristy.

For a while, construction work was stopped. The construction of the building continued only in the 14th and 16th centuries:

• 1342 - built on the four corners of the tower;
• 1352 - a gothic portal appeared on the west side;
• 1426-1430 years - the construction of a southern portico decorated with lancet arches;
• 15th century - a green garden was planted on the territory;
• 1575 - built a balustrade decorated with statues of saints.

Description of the Cathedral in Palermo

The building was seriously reconstructed in the very beginning of the 19th century. It was then that the image of the Cathedral of Palermo (Italy) underwent significant changes not only from the outside, but also inside. For example, a low dome was replaced with a wooden carved ceiling, and imperial and royal sarcophagi served to create a "memorial" zone. The fountain, which took its place on the square in 1744, was decorated with statues of saints. In different years here were buried Roger II, kings and emperors from the house of Gogentraufenov with their spouses. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the coronation of all the kings of Sicily was held in the cathedral.

Today the cathedral is not only the main attraction of the city, where every tourist wants to get. This is also the place of conversion of all believers to God. This stunning building combines the main elements of classicism, Arabic and Gothic styles.

North facade sightseeing

The northern facade of the Palermo Cathedral in Italy is the embodiment of all the complexity and duration of the construction of the structure. One wall was considerably extended, after which seven side chapels were built next, the tops of which were decorated with mini domes. As a result of this architectural solution, the northern portico, added in 1536, merged with the general facade and lost its original purpose.

South facade of the cathedral

This part of the building was especially changed during the reconstruction. If previously there prevailed elements of Gothic and Norman motifs, then there became more features of classicism. Particular attention is attracted to a large dome, built on the intersection of the axes of the main nave and transept. It stands out prominently against the background of small, elongated domes adorning the side chapels and executed in the Norman style.

There are also other elements in which there are also gothic features: false arches with battlements, a classical large dome and a few small ones above the chapels that were attached with the expansion of the nave, narrow window-loopholes, a portico with lancet arches and columns, and so on.

Inside the portico there is a portal, decorated with a mosaic image of the Virgin. Both these elements are the work of Gambara. The inner part of the portico is also decorated with numerous marble memorial plaques.

The western facade of the building

This is the main part of the Cathedral, which overlooks Via Bonello. Its western portal was built in 1352, and its decoration is dominated by the Gothic style. It is framed by two small tower-bell towers. They are decorated with a very fine sculptural molding with abstract Islamic and plant motifs. On each tier of towers there are Arab-Norman arches and windows, which are divided in half in a vertical column by a narrow column.

East facade of the cathedral

This part of the sight is made in a typically Arab-Norman style. Bright elements in the design of the three projections of the facade are false arches, refined abstract incrustations of tufa and lava, plant ornaments, teeth. Only thanks to the two tower-bell towers, which are twin towers on the west side, the whole building of the cathedral looks like one whole.

The building of the sacristy is also styled in oriental style. Its upper tier consists of a string of deaf people and with windows-loopholes of arches decorated with rows of teeth on top. From this decoration the vestry is very similar to the real fortress.

Bell Tower and Chapels

The belltower, erected by the Normans, looks like a fortress. With the cathedral it is connected by lancet arches. In the 19th century, the upper part of the central bell tower was reconstructed, as a result of which it acquired gothic features. In the 20th century it was crowned with a statue of the Madonna.

Most of the relics of the Cathedral are collected in the side chapel Reliquia, located in the southern nave. In the list of cultural values are the relics or parts of the relics of martyrs of Oliva, Agata, Ninfa, who until the 18th century were revered as patrons of the city. Also there are parts of the relics of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene. You can not get here with a tour, since access is blocked by a massive grille.

The relics of Saint Rosalia, who was the patroness of not only Palermo, but all of Sicily, are in another chapel bearing her name. Opposite it was a valuable altar of lapis lazuli. His chapel bears the name of the Holy Mysteries.

Other internal attractions of the cathedral

The cathedrals and temples of Palermo are known not only for coronations and sarcophagi. For example, in the 18th century, in the Cathedral Church, astronomical observations could be made. Here there was a special heliometer with zodiacs, preserved to this day. Exactly at twelve o'clock in the afternoon the sunbeam falls precisely on the image of that constellation in which the sun is now.

Outside and inside, almost at every step, there are different statues - the work of famous artists. The most famous is the Virgin with the baby, located in the northern nave. It was built in 1469 by Francesco Laurana. Also in the Cathedral there are a lot of works by Antonello Gaggini.

The altar part of the temple is made in the Gothic style. Here is the episcopal throne, which partially managed to preserve the mosaic of the 12th century. In the main apse of the cathedral in the 18-19 centuries there was a series of frescoes telling about the Norman era. The images have survived to this day in their original form, unfinished.

The Cathedral of Palermo is a unique architectural casket, which contains a large number of unique works of art from different centuries. Marble statues, canvases of famous artists, architectural ornaments, jewels from imperial tombs, noble cups and much more can be seen in this beautiful place.

How to get to the Cathedral

The cathedral is located in the heart of Palermo, so finding it is not difficult. From the train station, a walking tour takes only 20 minutes. You can also use the services of a taxi driver or a horse-drawn carriage.

The doors of the cathedral are open for tourists every day. From Monday to Friday, you can get inside from 8:30 to 18 hours, and on Saturday and Sunday - from 11:00 to 18:00. The only time when tourists are forbidden to attend the cathedral is the time of the Mass. On weekdays it starts at 7:30 and 18:00, and on holidays - at 8:45, 9:45, 11:00 and 18:00.

To visit a religious complex, you need to take care of the appropriate clothes: shoulders must be covered, despite the weather outside the window. For visiting the cathedral, money is not taken from tourists. But for the opportunity to see the treasury, the royal tomb, as well as crypts have to pay: you need to buy a ticket. Its price varies depending on the age of the visitors:

• For children from 11 to 17 years entry costs 5 euros;
• Adults will have to pay 7 euros.

This is the cost as of 2017 of the integrated ticket, which allows you to see all the sights. If you want, for example, to see closer only the royal tomb, the entry price will be lower.

If you want to not only touch this architectural and cultural landmark with a centuries-old history, but also become a member of the sacred action, then you should come to the Cathedral on July 15. It is on this day that the feast of Saint Rosalia comes. On the eve of cancer with its relics carried out to the central part of the temple, so that the faithful could bow to it. The next evening, the cancer is carried by the procession along the central streets of the city. The procession is met at the Piazza Villena square by the authorities of Palermo, who present a holy wreath of roses. This action is symbolic and personifies the meeting of the city with the patroness.