THE CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral of Cefalù is in Arab-Norman style, and is the most important monument of the town. The history of its construction is linked with a legend: King Roger II ordered its construction to thank God for saving him from a storm and making him get ashore in Cefalù.
What strikes of this superb building founded in 1131 is at first its massive fortress-like look which is emphasized by the two big square towers on its sides (slightly thinned out by the presence of single and double lancet windows, and completed with a battlemented cusp), by the presence of a crenelation in its southern part, by the frequent drifts and passageways which connect the various parts of the building and by the impressiveness of the structure itself which besides the ancient town dominates all the surrounding zone and is contained between a sea horizon and the wild nature of the mountain.
The outside structure is preceded by a square terrace called "turniale". The façade presents fake small loggias and a central ogival window. In XV century Ambrogio Da Como made the arcade with three arcs propped up by columns which had the original function of protecting the paintings on the sides of which only a pale trace has remained.
The arcade is embellished by a white marble arch which has been recently restored. The building of the façade was completed in 1204.
The church has a Latin cross plant, divided in three naves propped up by marble columns. The transept has a greater elevation than the naves, even if the original plan provided for a greater hight.
In the apses glitters the gold of the mosaics, which were made later, in 1148, by Byzantine workers who managed to blend this ancient oriental decorative tradition with a structure of clear Nordic origins. In the centre of the mosaics stands out the figure of the Christ Almighty. In the two orders below are the orant Virgin Mary, in the centre between the four Archangels, and figures of Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets and Saints. And finally, in the cross vault are depictions of Cherubs and Seraphs.
Among the works of art inside the church are : a "Lady with the Child" made by sculptor Antonello Gagini in 1533; some Neoclassical stucco works; and the silver altar of the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament.
After the death of Roger II, the church suffered a period of decay, but luckily it hasn't lost all of its charm and beauty.
What strikes of this superb building founded in 1131 is at first its massive fortress-like look which is emphasized by the two big square towers on its sides (slightly thinned out by the presence of single and double lancet windows, and completed with a battlemented cusp), by the presence of a crenelation in its southern part, by the frequent drifts and passageways which connect the various parts of the building and by the impressiveness of the structure itself which besides the ancient town dominates all the surrounding zone and is contained between a sea horizon and the wild nature of the mountain.
The outside structure is preceded by a square terrace called "turniale". The façade presents fake small loggias and a central ogival window. In XV century Ambrogio Da Como made the arcade with three arcs propped up by columns which had the original function of protecting the paintings on the sides of which only a pale trace has remained.
The arcade is embellished by a white marble arch which has been recently restored. The building of the façade was completed in 1204.
The church has a Latin cross plant, divided in three naves propped up by marble columns. The transept has a greater elevation than the naves, even if the original plan provided for a greater hight.
In the apses glitters the gold of the mosaics, which were made later, in 1148, by Byzantine workers who managed to blend this ancient oriental decorative tradition with a structure of clear Nordic origins. In the centre of the mosaics stands out the figure of the Christ Almighty. In the two orders below are the orant Virgin Mary, in the centre between the four Archangels, and figures of Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets and Saints. And finally, in the cross vault are depictions of Cherubs and Seraphs.
Among the works of art inside the church are : a "Lady with the Child" made by sculptor Antonello Gagini in 1533; some Neoclassical stucco works; and the silver altar of the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament.
After the death of Roger II, the church suffered a period of decay, but luckily it hasn't lost all of its charm and beauty.