The mosaics from the chambers of Roger II (Sala di Re Rogero) in the Royal Palace in Palermo are a spectacular example of Arab Norman secular design. They date to the mid 12th century, the same period that the Cappella Palatina was constructed.
Tag: mosaico
What A Bear!
One of the outstanding mosaic scenes from the UNESCO site in Piazza Armerina, the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman era/4th century plantation
Diamonds Under the Soles of Your Shoes
The spellbinding inlaid floor of the La Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (c. 1143) or, the “Martorana” Church, in Palermo is a splendid example of Arab and Norman architectural and decorative styles. Semi-precious stone and marble pieces create dizzying and spectacular mosaic designs.
Even The Floor Is Dazzling
If the 68,000 square feet of mosaic tiles on the walls of Monreale Cathedral don’t mesmerize you, perhaps the floor-designs will! Created by Byzantine-Arab-Norman craftsmen in the late 12th century, William II’s temple offers endless inspiration. The red stone is called red porphyry. The ancient emperors associated it with power during the Roman Empire. It…
What’s Your Favorite Style?
Fans of architecture will love La Martorana church in Palermo. It’s initial construction started in the 1140s, exploiting the Arab-Norman style fostered by Roger II and in this case, his trusted admiral, George of Antioch. Then, over the centuries, it took on Baroque elements and other styles. It has Greek and Albanian influences because of…
Arab-Norman Mosaics
Arab-Norman mosaic detail from Martorana church in Palermo.
Star Mosaic
Detail of mosaic decoration in a Byzantine-Arab-Norman style at the Cappella Palatina, in the Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo; Created by artisans in the late 1100s.
Our May Tour, Day 3: Be Mesmerized
Get personal with the amazing mosaics at the Cathedral of Monreale on Day 3 of our May Experience Sicily small-group tour. Built by the Norman King William II (“The Good”) in the late 12th century, this UNESCO site boasts thousands of beautiful and one of a kind tile designs, like the one pictured, that will…
Innocent and Majestic
This scene of Original Sin, that is, Adam and Eve with the snake from the Old Testament, is one of dozens of scenes that cover the walls of the Cathedral at Monreale. The Byzantine-style mosaic designs tell Biblical stories without words; however with incredible majesty–using glass, semiprecious stones, and hundreds of gold leaf tiles. Such…
One of Monreale’s Hundreds
Detail of Byzantine-Arab-Norman-style mosaic decoration at the Cathedral of Monreale, outside of Palermo; Created by artisans in the late 1100s.