Page 39 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

THE HIST OR Y OF SICIL Y  37

Loggia del Medieval Castles
Bajulo
Council This illustration shows the 12th–13th-century
Chamber Norman castle at Erice, an example of the mili tary
architecture of the time. It is also known as
“Venus’s Castle” because it was built near an
ancient temple and incorporated Phoenician
and Roman architectural elements. There are
many other medieval fortifications in
Sicily. The main ones are at Sperlinga
(see p97), Caccamo (see pp98–9),
Mussomeli and Naro (see p125),
Montechiaro and Falconara (see pp126–7),
Enna (see p131), Syracuse (see p147),
Paupers’ Cells Catania (see p168), Aci Castello (p172)
graves Well Roman baths Phoenician walls and Milazzo (see p191).

Death strikes with Representation of
bow and arrows, the World
like a horseman of After the conquest of
the Apocalypse. Sicily, the Normans
and Hohenstaufens
assimilated the
culture of the Arabs,
as can be seen in this
A lady maintains her representation of the
proud attitude. world, executed in
the Norman period
by an Arab artist.

The Triumph of Death
This mid-15th-century fresco,
painted and kept in Palermo (see Where to See
pp56–7), drew inspiration from Medieval Sicily
the Apocalypse: Death is a
horseman armed with bow and Besides the castles (see above),
do not miss the Cappella Palatina
arrows who kills the rich and in Palermo (see pp66–7), Monreale
spares the poor. These symbolic Cathedral (see pp80–81), and the
“triumphs” were common in towns of Cefalù (see pp92–5) and
medieval iconography. Erice (see pp104–5), including
their cathedrals. Despite some
rebuilding, the many villages
that have preserved their Arab
The rich and powerful are town planning layout are also
killed with arrows. interesting sites.

1091 After 30 years of 1194 Henry VI conquers The tiara of Constance of 1415 Ferdinand I of
warfare, Sicily is once again a Sicily and makes it part of Aragón, Frederick II’s wife Aragón sends his
Christian land thanks to the his empire viceroy, John of
Norman Roger I 1282 The Sicilian Vespers revolt overthrows Peñafiel, to Sicily
the Angevin rulers and Peter of Aragón
becomes the new king
1100 1200 1300 1400
1130 Roger II 1250 The death of the emperor 1302 The Peace of 1377 Under Maria of Aragón war
is crowned Frederick II marks the end of Caltabellotta sanctions breaks out among the feudal
King of Sicily. Sicily’s most glorious period the independence of landowners, which leads to the
Palermo is the the Kingdom of Sicily union of the Kingdom of Sicily and
capital 1265 Charles of Anjou crowned King the Kingdom of Aragón
of Sicily by the Pope

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