The Palatine Chapel in Palermo: 5 beautiful and unforgettable pictures

Commissioned by Roger II of Sicily in 1132 to be built upon an older chapel, the main reason to visit it is this: it is one of the most beautiful places of Sicily. But, before planning the trip, you want a sort of “first taste” of what to expect. And so, you are looking for pictures of the most important elements to see in the wonderful Palatine Chapel in Palermo.

Here they are:

[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”4″]

1. The entrance of the Palatine Chapel. The entrance of the Palatine Chapel, characterized by a series of arches, is located in the courtyard of the famous Norman Palace, one of the best places to visit during any holiday in Palermo.
2. The central apse. It is one of the most unforgettable parts of the Palatine Chapel. The central apse (as well as the other two apses, the dome and the transept) are completely decorated with precious Byzantine mosaics of Christ Pantocrator, of the evangelists and with various biblical scenes.
3. The Christ Pantocrator. The mosaic of Christ Pantocrator is in the central apse. Typical of Byzantine art, it represents a majestic and severe Jesus, usually seated on a throne, blessing with three fingers of his right hand.
4. The muqarnas ceiling. The Palatine Chapel is divided into three naves. The ceiling of the central nave and the beams of the other two naves are decorated with muqarnas: traditional Muslim form of architectural ornamented vaulting, the ceiling is decorated with a large number of miniature squinches, producing a sort of cellular structure.
5. The dome. The mosaics of the dome, where it’s represented the Christ Pantocrator surrounded by angels, are the most ancient in the Chapel.

And now, the opening times of the Palatine Chapel:

• From Monday to Saturday, from 8:15am to 5:40pm;
• On Sundays and on holidays, from 8:15am to 1pm.

For further information, visit Federicosecondo.org.

Images:
Flickr.com/photos/37642844@N03
Di Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France – Le portique extérieur de la Chapelle palatine (Palerme), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24666814
Di Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France – L’abside de la Chapelle palatine (Palerme), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24666816
Di © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro /, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38521141
Di CarlesVA – Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8726133
Flickr.com/photos/kitto1975