The Genoard, was one of the most important and extensive parks, a wonder to behold. Inside, there were residences, palaces and pavilions: the Cuba, the Zisa, the Cuba Soprana, the Cubula, the Menani and the Scibene. Ancient sources say that there were also exotic animals, fountains, pools, springs a...
Palermo in Islamic and subsequently Norman times was surrounded by numerous parks and gardens, organised around palaces, monasteries and splendid residences, both in winter and summer. Trees, flowers and plants with the intense and delicate fragrances of citrons, lemons, oranges, jasmine, cedars, fi...
There is excitement in the square: the restoration site, directed by the architect Giuseppe Patricolo, is in operation. The aim of the restoration workers, who are working tirelessly and with great enthusiasm, is to bring the old medieval elements back into view, also by removing some of the parts f...
An altarpiece depicting the Ascension, painted by Vincenzo da Pavia in 1533, stands at the centre of the high altar, while a sumptuous tabernacle made of lapis lazuli sits beneath it. Known since ancient times, and coming from China and Afghanistan, lapis lazuli had a price similar to gold. Deep blu...
While the interior features lavish and ostentatious frescoes, typical of the Baroque era, set alongside the golden splendour of Byzantine mosaics, the exterior is characterised by a delightful mix of styles: representative elements typical of Norman and Islamic-derived architecture, such as the arti...
The melody of Basilian chants welcomes the faithful who, already in the narthex, meet the two mosaic panels with scenes depicting Admiral George of Antioch kneeling before the Madonna and Roger II crowned directly by the hands of Christ. The sound and rhythm become louder and faster: the prayer reac...
The Martorana floor tiles have intense colours and the lasting coolness of marble. The Martorana floor consists of eleven opus sectile panels, decorated with quincunxes and geometric motifs. The entire floor is made of white, porphyry, serpentine and antique yellow marble and is characterised by a s...
An intense scent of incense wafts through the church
The entire sacred space, elevated by 26 centimetres, was separated from the rest of the church by the iconostasis, an enclosure, typical of Greek worship, made of marble slabs and aligned with the columns. An intense fragrance of incense spreads from this concealed space and reaches every corner of ...
A play of light illuminates and makes the mosaics shine
The church is divided into nine bays, distinguished by four columns that form a square space in the centre and support the dome. The interior lighting, which creates a rich interplay of light with the mosaic decoration of the floor, the vaults and the sanctuary, is provided by the dome's eight windo...
Touching the bell tower means touching smooth and rough surfaces. The decorations, in fact, determine an alternation that makes the construction impressive and dynamic. The shapes engraved on the bell tower are varied: clovers, interlaces, circles, rhombuses and even star motifs, the latter being ty...
MiC – Ministero della Cultura
Legge 77/2006 - Misure Speciali di Tutela e Fruizione dei Siti Italiani di Interesse Culturale, Paesaggistico e Ambientale, inseriti nella “Lista Del Patrimonio Mondiale”, posti sotto la Tutela dell’ UNESCO Regione Siciliana.
Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana, Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana.
Parco archeologico della Valle dei Templi di Agrigento.
sight 
smell 
hearing 
touch 
