Escursioni Etna

Church of the Magione. Founded in 1191 by the Cistercians monk, highly destroyed by bombs, it was successfully restored and rebuilt.

Porta Nuova ( New Door) was built under Charles V. It is surmounted by a charming house with the Imperial Eagle on the roof. From this door, Vittorio Emmanuel avenue starts and it ends with the Porta Felice (Happy Door).

San Matteo Church, built between the 1633 and the 1647, has a  Baroque facade in grey marble.

Santa Catherine Churc is an annex of a huge domenican monaster, edificated in 1310. The church was elevated at the end of the 500, inside, we could admire the interesting polichromatic six century style marble.

San Cataldo church, constructed in 1160 during the norman period, keeps the original shape with the three red dome of arabian inspiration. The mosaic ground is the original one.

The church of the Martorana (S. Maria dell’ammiraglio) is “the most beautiful monument of the world”, according to the arabian traveller Ibn Giubair. Founded in 1143, it is rich of magnificent Byzantine mosaics.

The Four Corners (i quattro canti). At the cross of the 2 main streets of  Palermo, you can find this “slargo” in which four angles, facades were elevated.

The stirring Cathedral with its towers, its crossing bows and “ogivali”. Built in 1184, it still conserves its original structures.

The Norman Building, is one the most well known Norman building of Palermo. Built by Ruggero II in the 1136, on the remains of an arabian mosque, which can still be seen in part.

The Palatina Chapel, was built in 1130. Covered by wonderful Byzantine mosaics, it represents the cultural and political synthesis of the Norman works.

The Massimo, Vittorio Emanuele theatre of Palermo was opened  to public for the first time on the night of May 16,  1897. It is the second largest theatre of Europe (the first one is the Opera de Paris), and is one of the largest in the world, as it can host around 1300 spectators.

The Politeama theatre, a neoclassic style, was built between 1867 and 1874.  As massive as the Massimo theatre, it shares the same style of neoclassic architecture.

The Monreale Cathedral, called also Santa Maria la Nuova Chiesa (the new church), is the best exemple of the Norman architecture in Sicily. It was erected thanks to the will of the lord Guglielmo II. The lord generously paid for the intern Dome furnishment, which were finished in 1186, with the installation of the monumental bronze door. The most spectacular aspect of the Dome is the mosaic series that covers all sides. Gold is the basis from which were set millions of pieces that composed the 6.430 meters square, representing the scenes shown.

The Chiostro (cloister), one the most beautiful Musulman art representant, is surrounded by a series of ogive arches, put on wonderful columns that present incrustive multicolored motives of Oriental inspiration.

Ruggero avenue. The main street in Cefalu, traces the antique roman decuman and cuts the city in two parts .

The Dome. Golden rocks of this Roman jewel, fitted with the calcareous cliff called La Rocca. It was built between 1131 and 1240, in consequence of a vote. It has an important evidence of Norman style.

Osteria Magno. Favorite residence of Ruggero, is composed of two parts from different ages. The most ancient one is the bichrome part (lava rocks and golden rocks), enriched by 2 elegant mullioned window with two lights “bifore”, dating about the end of the 200.

The Purgatorial Church. Its facade, characterised by a baroque door, is preceded by steps pincer-shaped. As soon as you enter, you can see the Baron Mandralisca sarcophagus.