Palermo - Civilitazions and cultural confluence
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Transcript of Palermo - Civilitazions and cultural confluence
PALERMOLost in Time
The Addaura Cave
cave-wall engravings dated to the late Epigravettian and the Mesolithic
human settlements dated to 14.000 years ago
Palermo is located in a beautiful position in the centre of a large bay. All along people travelling around the Mediterranean Sea were attracted by the fertile valley surrounded by mountains and slight hills
It was founded by the
Phoenicians 2700 years
ago. They called it Ziz
(flower) and
surrounded it by walls
Necropolis and burials
2268 years ago the Romans conquered the town calling it “Panormus” from the Greek “Panormos” (all harbour). It got the status of a free town.
Mosaics at the “Villa Romana”
At the fall of the Roman Empire in 535 the town went under Byzantine domination. To cope with theoverwhelming power of the Emperor of Byzantium in 827 Emir Aghlabid invaded Sicily defending the population. In 831, after the conquest by the Arab army, the town became the capital called Balarm and later Palermo.The conquerors were tolerant towards the surviving Christian population of Latin and Greek rite and towardsthe Jews. Thanks to the fertile countryside and the strategic position, the town became one of the largest and wealthiest of the time.
The continuous fights between local lords caused the end of the Arab rule. In 1061 the Normans invaded and conquered the whole area in 1091. As there was a great tolerance towards the local population, Muslim could live without problems for nearly two centuries during the reign of Frederick II (1197-1250). This tolerance is representative in architecture in which there is a remarkable synthesis between elements of Latin , Greek and Islam culture.
Norman Palace
Located on a slight hill, it symbolizes the center of the power since the Phoenicians. It is the home of the oldest Parliament and the most ancient royal residence in Europe. The two towers and the Palatine Chapel date from the Norman period.
Norman Palace
Sicily was under the heel of Islam for two centuries.Elements of civilization confluence in art.
In the Palatine Chapel the paintings on the parchment represent scenes from the Islamic Paradise.
Very antique mosaics made by Byzantine handicrafts.
A cultural and religious cohabitation - A union between Christianity (Saint’s life – Easter Church Candle - Christ “Pantocratore” ) and Islamic tradition.The palm tree (dates, leaves, trunk, honey, wine ) was account as the symbol of life – life sap drips from the trunk.
Palatine Chapel1140
Court Scenes Ceiling
Palatine Chapel
Palatine Chapel- Nativity
Palatine Chapel – Baptism of Christ
Norman Palace – Ruggero Room
Norman Palace – Ruggero Room mosaics ceiling
Commemorative stone written in Latin, Greek and Arabic remembering the water clock commissioned by Ruggero in 1142
San Cataldo Churh1154
San Cataldo Church
Martorana Church– 1143Mosaics
Martorana Church Mosaics
Martorana ChurchColumn with flowered inscriptions
Santo Spirito Church- 1172
San Giovanni degli Eremiti
San Giovanni degli Eremiti - courtyard
Maredolce Castle – 1071surrounded by an artificial lake
Probable adjustment of a palace of Emir Kalbita Gia’far
La Cuba - 1180
La Cuba – Remains of muqarnas
La Cubula - 1184
La Magione Church - 1191
La Magione - Courtyard
CathedralBuilt on a paleochristian cathedral, changed in a
mosque during the arab period and rebuilt in 1184. The inside was rebuilt between 1781 and
1801 in a neoclassical style.
Cathedral - Apsis
Cathedral - decorations
Cathedral – Column with a page of the Koran
La Zisa - 1175
La Zisa
La Zisa - Mosaics
Commemorative stone in Latin, Greek, Arabic and Hebrew