Gothic art, divided into Early Gothic, from 1150 to 1250, High Gothic, from 1250 to 1375, and International Gothic, from 1375 to the first decades of the 15th century, is the connecting period between Romanesque and Renaissance art. The Gothic style influenced architecture, sculpture and the minor a...

Designed by Antonio Gambara in 1429, the Cathedral’s portico was also built using reused materials. It is contained between two lateral pylons with a triple order in a repeated pattern. Entrance is gained through three pointed arches resting on reused columns with capitals decorated with plant mot...

Born in 1237 to Peter III of Aragon and Constance, daughter of Manfred of Swabia, Frederick II signed the Treaty of Caltabellotta in 1302, putting an end to the Sicilian Vespers, becoming King of Trinacria with the proviso that upon his death the island would be passed on to the Anjou family. He san...

Born in 1237 to Peter III of Aragon and Constance, daughter of Manfred of Swabia, Frederick II signed the Treaty of Caltabellotta in 1302, putting an end to the Sicilian Vespers, becoming King of Trinacria with the proviso that upon his death the island would be passed on to the Anjou family. He san...

Among the most important chronicles is De Principe Templo Panormitano, by Giovanni Maria Amato in 1728. Published in thirteen books and accompanied by original documents, it is a collection of stories, information and documents covering the period from the first building of the Cathedral to the pres...

Ferdinando was born in Florence in 1699 to Antonio Fuga and Antonia Serravalli. He was first a pupil of Giovan Battista Foglini and then moved to Rome in 1718. In the capital, he had numerous assignments and was appointed Architect of the Sacred Palaces. His fame grew over time, so much so that he w...

There is a reference to the Qur'an in the first column to the left of the southern portico. This is Verse 54 of Surah 7 and specifically: "Who causes the night to cover the day and then the day swiftly pursues the night; Who created the sun and the moon and the stars making them all subservient to H...

A mihrab is a niche inside one of the walls of the mosque, which serves to indicate the direction, or qibla, towards the holy city of Mecca. In fact, during prayer every Muslim is supposed to turn towards the holy place where the Kaaba, the ancient cubic structure at the centre of the Great Mosque, ...

Located in Saudi Arabia, Mecca is the holy city for Muslims, as it was the birthplace of Muhammad, the founder of one of the largest monotheistic religions: Islam. Mecca is home to one of the largest mosques in the world, the Masjid al-Haram. Located inside the mosque is the Kaaba, an ancient cubic ...

In the churchyard or “Planum Ecclesiae” of Palermo Cathedral from the 16th century until the early decades of the 19th century, St. Christina’s fair was held. As early as 1514, a Kingdom report requested of King Ferdinand the Catholic that St. Christina's fair be extended throughout the month ...