26 May 2008
duomo in palermo
Welcome back to Palermonday!
A few weeks ago, we started at Teatro Massimo, and then we started a walking tour up Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Now, after passing through the Porta Nuova and seeing Quattro Canti and La Fontana della Vergogna/The Fountain of Shame, we have arrived at the Duomo.
Absolutely one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen.
Part of what makes the Duomo so unique is its many architectural influences that reflect Sicily’s history as a territory that has seen a truly impressive number of leaders–check out this busy flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (thanks Paulus Maximus!).
The Duomo was built by Normans in 1184 on the site of a Muslim mosque that had been built over an early Christian basilica.
Got that?
During the 13th and 14th centuries, Gothic additions were added to the exterior and then the Spaniards added a Catalan touch in the 15th century.
Neoclassical elements were introduced both inside and out during the late 18th and early 19th century by architect Fernando Fuga of Naples.
You can read much more about the architectural details and see great photos of the Duomo, especially of the interior, here.
And just for fun, check out this liceo (equivalent of a US high school) that overlooks the Duomo.
Somehow I don’t think concentration would come easily for me with the gorgeous Duomo outside.
Be sure to come back next week for the last Palermomonday–
gardens and fruits and veggies, oh my!
Happy Memorial Day to those in the US! Hope you have your poppy!
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9 beans of wisdom »
Gil on 26 May 2008 at 8:30 am #
Thanks again for continuing to educate us in the history and art of Palermo! Beautiful pictures.
Thanks Gil; glad you enjoyed!
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 26 May 2008 at 1:12 pm #
I have really enjoyed this series!
nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Are bloggers narcissists blabbering on about nothing?
I’m definitely enjoying reliving the trip, so I’m happy you’re liking it too
nova on 26 May 2008 at 3:02 pm #
Thank you for this.
It really feels like you are taking me to places where I don’t know if I’ll ever get to go…
nova’s last blog post..Said and Unsaid, Remembered and Unremembered
*So* happy to share with you Nova!
Carole D. on 26 May 2008 at 11:27 pm #
Anch’io have enjoyed the Monday’s Palermo. I realized how much I missed and hope to visit all those places the next time I’m in Sicily. Grazie mille per being our tour guide and taking the time to educate us on the history.
My pleasure Carole!
Norma-ann on 27 May 2008 at 2:31 am #
Hey!
I was tagged, so now I’m tagging you.
Have a GREAT day!
7 Fun Facts about me
Norma-ann’s last blog post..Tagged! 7 Fun Facts About Me
Hmm…meme….
jen of a2eatwrite on 27 May 2008 at 4:27 pm #
What a simply gorgeous building. I can’t even imagine it. I’d so love to go there.
jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Music Monday – “Born in the USA” – Bruce Springsteen
It is truly amazing Jen; I hope you’ll get to see it in person someday!
Jackie on 28 May 2008 at 11:55 am #
I really like these Palermondays! beautiful photos–I would really like to visit Palermo, and the duomo would be one of the first things on my list.
Jackie’s last blog post..wee hours
A few more Palermondays to come Jackie! The Duomo is so easy to find too…right on the main street!
Wanderlust Scarlett on 29 May 2008 at 10:58 pm #
Absolutely stunning. Wow.
Sognatrice, this place is so amazing, thank you for sharing it with us! And I love the historylessons that go along with the photos, that really brings it all together!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
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Glad you enjoyed Scarlett. It’s so fun for me learning about the history, I just have to share
Bleeding Espresso » i beati paoli: secret society in palermo, sicily on 30 Jun 2008 at 6:58 am #
[...] It is said that their principal meeting place was a cave in the Capo quarter near the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Gesù, also called Santa Maruzza; the church is still there but the cave entrances have been blocked off. The photo on the left is labeled “The Tribunal of the Beati Paoli” and comes from the official website of the Duomo of Palermo, which you’ve seen before on Bleeding Espresso here. [...]