Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

70  P ALERMO AREA B Y AREA

5 Cathedral

Dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Cathedral
stands on the site of an Early Christian basilica, later a
mosque. It was built in 1179–85 but, due to frequent
rebuilding and alterations, very little of the original structure
remains. In the late 1700s the nave was widened and the
central cupola was added. The original Norman structure can
be seen under the small cupolas with majolica tiles, with the
typical arched crenellation decoration on the wall tops. The
exteriors of the apses have maintained their original character
with interlaced arches and small columns. As a result of the
mixture of styles, the right-hand side forms a kind of “carved
history” of the city. Opposite the façade, on the other side of
the street, is the medieval campanile. The tiara of Constance
of Aragón (see p37) is kept here. Cupolas with Majolica Tiles
The small cupolas were built in
1781 over the side chapels, the
KEY addition of which drastically
changed the Cathedral’s
1 The portal was built in the 1400s original plan.
and is decorated with a two-winged
wooden door with a mosaic of the
Virgin Mary above.
2 The cupola, in Baroque style, was
added in the late 1700s to a design
by Ferdinando Fuga.
3 The arched crenellation
motif characteristic of Norman
architecture runs along the right
side of the Cathedral.
4 The exterior of the apses,
decorated with interlaced arches,
is the best preserved part of the . Catalan Gothic Portico
original design. The work of Antonio Gambara (1430), the portico has
three pointed arches and a Gothic tympanum with
Biblical scenes and the city coat of arms in bas-relief.

For hotels and restaurants in this area see p202 and pp210–11

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