In Christian worship, the altar represents the Lord’s table, where gifts are offered, where God is thanked and where the rite of Holy Mass is celebrated. In particular, it has vital importance because this is where the sacrifice of Christ for his people is re-enacted, which is why it is also sprin...

According to the three hierarchies of angels, the Seraphim, the Cherubim and the Thronesare in the first order. Mentioned in the book of Isaiah, the Seraphim, the angels of fire, are those closest to God, in the heaven of the empyrean. In the Cefalù Cathedral mosaic, the Seraphim are represented wi...

Marco Antonio Gussio was born in Nicosia and, in 1644, he was appointed bishop of Cefalù by Pope Urban VIII. He held this position until 1650, when he was transferred to Catania. He stayed there until 1660, the year of his death. Inside the cathedral, he carried out numerous renovations and stylist...

The large chapel is the part of the church which corresponds with the area where the choir is located, between the transept and the apse. It is usually called this due to its elongated dimensions, suitable to hold the choral stalls, depending on the number of monks. In some churches, the large choir...

In Christian churches, the presbyteral space is the area around the high altar where the presbyters take their places to worship. This space is located at the end of the nave, ends with the apse and contains the altar. The presbytery is reserved for the clergy and deacons, and in some cases is locat...

To officiate at the liturgy, the priest uses various sacred objects that echo the symbolism of the bread and wine that Jesus used during the Last Supper. The symbolic chalice is the vessel the wine is poured into to become the Blood of Christ.. There are also the small glass ampoules that contain t...

To officiate at the liturgy, the priest uses various sacred objects that echo the symbolism of the bread and wine that Jesus used during the Last Supper. The symbolic chalice is the vessel the wine is poured into to become the Blood of Christ.. There are also the small glass ampoules that contain t...

Bishop Gioacchino Castelli, who governed the diocese of Cefalù from 1755 until his death in 1788, wanted to enrich the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament with a silver coating. The work is dated 1764, as an inscription reads “IOAKINUS CASTELLI EPISCOPUS 1764”, and is one of many examples of stylis...

The Madonna Enthroned also known as Maestà or sedes sapientiae is an iconography that appeared between the mid-13th century and the 14th century. In the representation of the Maestà (Majesty), Mary is depicted in the centre, holding the baby Jesus in her arms and seated on a very rich throne. She ...

The fresco is a particular painting technique; it is executed by spreading a layer of paint, diluted with water, directly into the fresh wall plaster. Once dry, the colour becomes bright and compact. On the middle pillar between the nave and the northern aisle, there is a fresco depicting the Virgin...