4 May 2022

Lello

In 1588, the Historia della chiesa di Monreale (History of the Church of Monreale) by Giovan Luigi Lello was printed in Rome. It is a detailed essay on the history and architecture of the Monreale Cathedral, which also includes references to the context and the Benedictine order to which the complex...
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4 May 2022

Vincenzo Gagini

The central arch of the entrance to the portico, built in 1547, was decorated with the coat of arms of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, made by the artist Vincenzo Gagini. The new portico replaced a construction whose style and architectural features are unfortunately unknown. Vincenzo Gagini, born in P...
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4 May 2022

Giovanni and Fazio Gagini

Giovanni Gagini, son of the famous Domenico Gagini, was born in Palermo in 1470. Much of his work as a sculptor was carried out in the Sicilian provinces of Palermo, Messina, Trapani, Agrigento. Fazio Gagini was born in Palermo in 1520 to Antonello Gagini. He collaborated with his brother Giandomeni...
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4 May 2022

Corinthian order

The capital, an architectural element found at the end of a load-bearing structure (such as a pilaster or a column) is usually decorated according to the canons of the classical age and the relative styles: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, composite. The Corinthian order is characterised by the decoration ...
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4 May 2022

Corinthian order

The capital, an architectural element found at the end of a load-bearing structure (such as a pilaster or a column) is usually decorated according to the canons of the classical age and the relative styles: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, composite. The Corinthian order is characterised by the decoration ...
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4 May 2022

Corinthian order

The capital, an architectural element found at the end of a load-bearing structure (such as a pilaster or a column) is usually decorated according to the canons of the classical age and the relative styles: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, composite. The Corinthian order is characterised by the decoration ...
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4 May 2022

entasis

Entasis, from the Greek èntasis meaning tension, from the Italian verb tendere, is a swelling of a column's stem about a third of the way up. The swelling is caused by the narrowing of the diameter of the column from the bottom upwards. The entasis is used for purely aesthetic purposes. ...
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4 May 2022

Biagio Timpanella

Biagio Timpanella was the designer of the Cathedral's northern portico, commissioned by Alessandro Farnese and built by the Gaginis in 1547. During his delicate renovation work, the artist respected the harmony of the majestic architectural complex, without affecting its monumentality and artistic c...
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4 May 2022

Alessandro Farnese

Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III Farnese, was Archbishop of Monreale from 1568 to 1573. Born in Valentano in 1520, he studied in Parma and then in Bologna. A refined patron and man of culture, during his time in office he also devoted himself to renovating the Monreale Cathedral, through ...
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4 May 2022

Alessandro Farnese

Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III Farnese, was Archbishop of Monreale from 1568 to 1573. Born in Valentano in 1520, he studied in Parma and then in Bologna. A refined patron and man of culture, during his time in office he also devoted himself to renovating the Monreale Cathedral, through ...
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