The famous French writer Guy de Maupassant called the
Cappella Palatina “the most beautiful in the world, the most surprising
religious jewel ever dreamt of by man”. It is not hard to agree with his
assessment. The Cappella Palatina or Palatine Chapel, located in the Palace of
the Normans, contains a harmonious
blend of a myriad of cultures, including Byzantine, Norman,
Arabic, and Sicilian, creating a truly amazing architectural and artistic
result. Located in the Palazzo dei
Normanni, the Cappella Palatina is home to some of the most beautiful
mosaics in the world, depicting famous scenes from the bible. The wooden
ceiling styled into Arab-style stalactites and alveoli dating back to 1143 and
the marble floor are just as wonderful. The Cappella Palatina served as the
royal chapel for the Sicilian Norman rulers. King Roger II commissioned this
place of worship in 1132, however it wasn't until 1140 that it was consecrated
to Saint Peter.
Cathedral
The Cathedral of Palermo was built in 1184 by the Norman
king William II in the place of a Muslim mosque. It's title is Santa Maria
Assunta or Saint Mary of the Assumption. The cathedral has undergone several
renovations over the centuries, which have resulted in its current
Neo-Classical style. The fourteenth-century door and the Gothic-Catalan style
portico are worthy of note. The treasures that are kept inside, including some
precious objects and embroidery found in the tombs of the Kings and emperors
must be seen.
Santa Maria
degli Angeli
Dating back to the fifteenth century, this is one of the
oldest churches in the city. During the late Middle Ages the Franciscans had
their community here. The two wonderful Gothic entrances and the wooden
sculptures, paintings and stuccoes inside the church must be admired. The nave
has no aisles but has 16 chapels on the sides and a marble floor in different
colors. The organ made by Raffaele della Valle dates back to the late 1500’s
and is the oldest in Palermo; the
pulpit is made of marble.