The expansive ancient Roman estate of the Villa del Casale outside of Piazza Armerina was constructed between the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. This scene of women athletes in the estate’s gymnasium is evidence that bikinis have existed for, well, a very long time! Known affectionately as “The Bikini Girls,” they, along with hundreds of…
Tag: mosaico
Watch Your Step
Every inch of the Cappella Palatina is embellished with intricate mosaics of inlaid marble, colorful stones, and golden glass tiles. This floor detail illustrates the multi-cultural mix (Norman, Arab, Greek, and Byzantine) that existed during Roger II’s 12th-century rule, when the Palazzo dei Normanni’s chapel was built.
Show Me a Story
The magnificent Cathedral at Monreale possesses walls covered with colorful mosaics depicting stories from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. This image pictured demonstrates the story of Genesis 2:22, “Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”…
13th Century Laser Show
The spellbinding inlaid floor of the Cathedral at Monreale is a tremendous example of Arab and Norman architectural and decorative styles. Semi-precious stone and marble pieces create dizzying and spectacular mosaic designs. Imagine a world without video games and computer generated design… this is the 13th century version of a laser show!
That’s Dedication
Among all of the summer-fun of today’s Ferragosto celebration, let’s not forget that today is The Assumption, the feast day that celebrates the occasion when the Virgin Mother ascended into Heaven. This Byzantine-style mosaic, which dates between 1146-1151, is from Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio or “The Martorana” church in Palermo. It shows Admiral George of Antioch…
An Arab-Norman-Greek-Byzantine Star
Every inch of the Cappella Palatina is embellished with intricate mosaics of inlaid marble, colorful stones, and golden glass tiles. This detail illustrates the multi-cultural mix (Norman, Arab, Greek, and Byzantine) that existed during Roger II’s 12th-century rule, when the Palazzo dei Normanni’s chapel was built.
San Cataldo in Palermo Boasts Spellbinding Mosaics
The inlaid floor of Chiesa Capitolare di San Cataldo in Palermo is a spectacular example of Arab and Norman architectural and decorative styles. Stone and marble pieces create spellbinding pavement mosaics. The church was built in the 1150s by Maio of Bari, William I’s top emir, or commander.
Mosaic Designs at Monreale
Mosaic tiles design, Cathedral of Monreale.
Monreale’s Mosaic Designs
Each of the 228 columns of the cloisters of the Cathedral of Monreale has a unique mosaic design. Built around 1200 and commissioned by Norman King William II, these architectural gems possess design elements from Sicily’s Arab, Jewish, Byzantine, and Greek and Roman past.
Norman “Laser Show”
Palermo’s Cappella Palatina boasts intricate mosaics like this detail that illustrates a mix of influences from Sicily’s cultural milieu of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Jewish, Arab, and Norman. Founded in 1132 by King Roger II and housed inside the Palazzo dei Normanni, the eye-candy artwork of the entire chapel may have been the rock-and-roll laser…