From € 45,00
Byzantine art in Palermo, in its most noble form, is found within two monuments, the Palatine Chapel and the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio. From 2015 you became part of the Unesco Heritage and fundamental stages key places of the Arab-Norman route.
The Palatine Chapel, located within the architectural complex of the Norman Palace, was built at the behest of King Roger II of Sicily, between 1130 and 1143 and used as a private chapel of the royal family. Its interiors are one of the finest examples of integration between architecture and figurative arts. The walls and naves are entirely decorated with Byzantine mosaics which make it a unique and rare jewel. Among all the solemn portrait of Christ Pantocrator stands out, the symbol of Byzantine art.
The Church of Santa Maria dell ‘Ammiraglio, known as “La Martorana”, is a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture, it is characterized by the multiplicity of styles that meet,
as, over the centuries, it was enriched by various artistic, architectural and cultural styles.
The Byzantine building of the Middle Ages is testimony to the oriental religious and artistic culture still present in Italy today, further brought by the Albanian exiles who took refuge in Sicily under the pressure of Turkish persecutions in the Balkans.
The cycle of mosaics found inside the church is the most ancient in all of Sicily.
A route that will drag you through the bright colors of the mosaics.We will start by making our entrance inside the Norman Palace to access the Palatine Chapel, located inside it, you will be immediately captured by the colors and the solemnity of the place. Afterwards we will relax with a walk along the Cassaro, passing by the Majestic Cathedral of Palermo, up to the 4 canti and the nearby Pretoria square where the so-called “Vergona fountain” is located. Finally we will visit the characteristic Church of the Martorana.
ROUTE:
- Palatine chapel
- Cassaro old street
- Palermo Cathedral
- 4 canti
- Pretoria Fountain
- Bellini Square
- Martorana Church
The route may undergo variations due to the long wait for the entrance to the monuments
DURATION: about 4 hours
ENTRANCE: palatine chapel, church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, Cathedral
INCLUDED: licensed tour guide
NOT INCLUDED: entrance tickets
ADDITIONAL INFO:
- on opening days
- if waiting times are short
- you can also visit the rooms of the Palazzo dei Normanni
