The king’s private chapel was built as a basilica in the form of a Latin cross
, with a longitudinal plan and three naves
, separated by five pointed arches
on each side, on piers supported by columns and capitals in a composite style.
The sixteen columns, including those that also support the triumphal arch
and the arches of the prothesis
and the diaconicon
, are of granite and cipolin marble. The focus of the building is the presbytery, raised, with respect to the naves, with a central plan that ends with the three apses
, characterised by the presence of recessed porphyry
columnsat the corners, typical of Islamic art.
The space is surmounted by a Byzantine-style dome, connected by spandrels to the square base. The east-facing presbytery
was separated from the naves by the iconostasis, typical of churches of the Greek rite
. The division between the liturgical areas is also underlined by the decorations: the presbytery is sacred and of Eastern Byzantine matrix
, since the area of the sanctuary had a function dedicated to the religious rite, while the decorations on the body are of Islamic tradition
since they adorned the more secular part of the building.The royal throne
is located in central bay on the western wall, opposite the sanctuary. It is Romanesque in style, raised by five steps and decorated with opus sectile marble.
The contrast and dialogue between the area dedicated to divine worship and the area dedicated to the King, which becomes a sort of royal classroom, is also evident in the repetition of the depiction of Christ Pantocrator between the apostles Peter and Paul in the space above the throne.
This particular courtroom seems to be reminiscent of the westwork
, or western body of work. Widespread between the late 9th century and the 10th century in Carolingian churches, it was a space of considerable political importance where rulers attended religious services. Inside the chapel, one can see the various stratifications: the mosaic decoration of the presbytery had two stages, both during the reign of Roger; the mosaics and opus sectile decorations of the naves date back to the time of William I, while the mosaics of the counter-façade and the insertion of the precious ambo
, the Easter candelabra
and the baptismal font
date back to the time of William II.
The Treasure of the Palatine
lies in an adjoining space to the church. It contains sacred ornaments, furnishings, monstrances, reliquaries and other precious objects
that have been used by the clergy over the centuries. Of particular interest is the Tabulario
, consisting of ancient diplomas and important documents.
Different styles and transformations of “one of the most beautiful monuments in the world”
From oblivion to the recovery of memory
The mosaic cycle, an ascending path towards the light
The senses tell the historical context
The senses tell the historical context
The mosaics of the transept and the apses
Gold and light: the splendour of the mosaics in the Royal Chapel
The Norman conquest of Sicily and the birth of a new Latin kingdom
The senses tell restorations
The senses tell the historical context
The architectural appearance and transformations over time
the Baroque exterior
The mosaics of the naves
The decorations on the bell tower
The interior of the church
The Cassaro
The Palace of Kings
Shapes and colours of the wooden ceiling
The Genoard Park, the garden of pleasures and wonders
The beautiful Zisa and its garden: solacium regi among sounds, colours and scents
The birth of the Norman kingdom
An architectural crescendo
The loca solatiorum: dwellings for recreation, well-being and hunting
The Royal Throne
A building constructed in a short space of time
The flooring: shapes, motifs and iconography
The senses tell the flooring
the roof of Paradise: one of the most representative works of medieval art
The architectural space
The senses tell the architecture and decorations
The return of water
Restorations
The architectural envelope: the Greek cross layout oriented towards the light
The Admiral’s dedication
the Baroque interior
Saint Peter’s Chapel in the Royal Palace
From earthquake to collapse
The ancient convent of the Martorana, a history of devotion and tradition
The senses tell the Zisa over the centuries
Intertwining of knowledge in Norman Palermo
The opus sectile floor of the Palatine Chapel
The senses tell the external architecture and the original layout
The rediscovered palace
The senses tell the interior
The senses tell the mosaic cycle
Decorations
The senses tell the architecture
The senses tell baroque decoration
MiC – Ministero della Cultura
Legge 77/2006 - Misure Speciali di Tutela e Fruizione dei Siti Italiani di Interesse Culturale, Paesaggistico e Ambientale, inseriti nella “Lista Del Patrimonio Mondiale”, posti sotto la Tutela dell’ UNESCO Regione Siciliana.
Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana, Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana.
Parco archeologico della Valle dei Templi di Agrigento.