Antonello, son of Domenico Gagini, the latter originally from Lugano, grew up in Palermo and then moved to Messina where, between 1498 and 1507, his thriving sculpture workshop was based and he started trading marble directly with Tuscany. Upon his return to Palermo, he established himself as one of...

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. Access is gained through three pointed archways resting on reused columns with capitals decorated with plant mot...

Antonio Gambara is remembered for having created the central doorway of the Cathedral in 1426 and the southern portico a few years later. The latter, completed in 1453, thus after Gambara's death in 1442, created a sort of link between the cathedral and the Cassaro level. In Gothic-Catalan style, it...

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 o...

As was customary, the Titulo and Antititulo were present in the Sanctuary area of the ancient Norman basilica. These were later removed during the renovation of the entire presbytery. The Antititulo, in particular, was a transverse space that divided the triapsidal area from the Titulo area. The lat...

All liturgical rites used by the Western Latin Church are referred to as the Latin Rite. Originally, it was known as the Roman rite, which then spread to the various Western countries, with the first bishop, the Pope, at the head. The Latin rites include: the Roman rite, the Ambrosian rite, the Angl...

In 395, Emperor Theodosius divided the empire into two parts: a Western part with Rome as its capital and an Eastern part with Constantinople as its capital. Over time, the division also affected the economy, language, art and religion. In particular, the Patriarch of Constantinople wanted to expres...

The iconostasis, mainly found in Eastern churches, is an architectural structure that divides the presbytery area from that of the nave. The iconostasis could also display icons, sacred images that had a symbolic role of prominence and connection between God and the faithful. The iconostasis can be ...

The iconostasis, mainly found in Eastern churches, is an architectural structure that divides the presbytery area from that of the nave. The iconostasis could also display icons, sacred images that had a symbolic role of prominence and connection between God and the faithful. The iconostasis can be ...

Inside the Cathedral, the Royal Throne takes its place in the space in front of the presbytery, opposite the Archbishop's throne. The king's throne is surmounted by the royal canopy, dating from the 12th century, decorated with mosaics, bearing the following inscription dedicated to the city of Pale...