From the Greek παραστάς, meaning “to place next to”, the pilaster is a vertically slender architectural element with load-bearing and static functions. Used in Roman times and then more widely used in the Renaissance period, it is a pillar that can be incorporated into the wall or slight...

The interior of the portico was decorated with a cycle dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which included four scenes on each side of the portal. On the right wall, the following depictions can be found: The Nativity of Christ, Adoration of the Magi, The Presentation in the Temple, Positus est in ruinam e...

The western façade of the Cathedral was richly decorated, particularly on the walls and archivolts of the original portico, which we are able to recreate thanks to a very detailed description by the scholar Del Giudice. A mosaic, similar to the one in the central apse, was placed above the two cent...

The archivolt is the external, and therefore frontal, band that surrounds the curve of an arch, a portal or a window. It is usually where decorative inserts are found, in low or high relief....

The late Baroque characteristics of the portico were visible through the rich decoration, which was in perfect harmony with the classical decoration. In particular, there is the marble coat of arms, commissioned by Archbishop Testa and made by Ignazio Marabbitti, depicting the Bourbon royal crown an...

Antonio Romano, as well as the sculptor Ignazio Marabitti, is mentioned in the documents regarding the building sites commissioned by Archbishop Francesco Testa. In the documents, he is noted as being a secretary, auditor and supervisor of works and is often also documented as being an engineer. His...

Born in Palermo in 1797, he is one of the greatest Italian sculptors. His artistic activity was very fruitful. After initially training in Rome, he opened his own sculpture workshop in Piazza Sant'Onofrio, Palermo. Ignazio Marabitti had numerous public and private commissions throughout the island: ...

Pietro Novelli was born in Monreale in 1603 to Pietro Antonio Novelli. The latter was a refined artist and man of culture, in contact with Flemish painters and appointed, in 1595, "head master of the Cathedral" of Monreale. Pietro Antonio Novelli His son Pietro initially studied in his father's wor...

The mullioned window, together with the triple lancet window, is a large window, defined by a round or pointed arch; the interior of the space is divided by two small arches, supported by a central column, in some cases with a decorated facing and the insertion of the coats of arms. ...

The mullioned window, together with the triple lancet window, is a large window, defined by a round or pointed arch; the interior of the space is divided by two small arches, supported by a central column, in some cases with a decorated facing and the insertion of the coats of arms. ...