The lava inlay ornamentation of Palermo Cathedral is characterised by a decoration with geometric or floral figures in lava stone, housed in tuff ashlars. This type of feature is present in the eastern front, specifically in the decorative bands of the arches and in the oculi positioned at the top of the arches. The use of lava inlay produces colour and chiaroscuro effects. This decoration is found in the Middle Eastern area and is a characteristic of Fatimid architecture. 
