page_title: Norman architecture
section_title: Sicily
hierarchical_section_title: Norman architecture / Italy / Sicily
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Italien, Sizilien, Cefalù, Dom English: Italy, Sicily, Cefalù, cathedral
context_page_description: The term Norman architecture is used to categorise styles of Romanesque architecture developed by the Normans in the various lands under their dominion or influence in the 11th and 12th centuries. In particular the term is traditionally used for English Romanesque architecture. The Normans introduced large numbers of castles and fortifications including Norman keeps, and at the same time monasteries, abbeys, churches and cathedrals, in a style characterised by the usual Romanesque rounded arches and especially massive proportions compared to other regional variations of the style.
context_section_description: Sicily's Norman period lasted from circa 1070 until about 1200.  The architecture was decorated in gilded mosaics such as that at the cathedral at Monreale.  The Palatine Chapel in Palermo built in 1130 is perhaps the strongest example of this. The interior of the dome, (itself a Byzantine feature), is decorated in a mosaic depicting Christ Pantocrator accompanied by his angels.
  During Sicily's later Norman era early Gothic influences can be detected such as those in the cathedral at Messina consecrated in 1197.  However, here the high Gothic campanile is of a later date and should not be confused with the early Gothic built during the Norman period; which featured pointed arches and windows rather than the flying buttresses and pinnacles later to manifest themselves in the Gothic era.
  Edifices in Palermo
  Norman palace with its Palatine Chapel
  Zisa
  Cuba
  Castle of Maredolce
  Cathedral of Palermo
  San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi
  San Giovanni degli Eremiti
  Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio also known as Martorana
  San Cataldo
  Church of the Holy Spirit (Sicily) also known as Chiesa del Vespro
  Santissima Trinità known as Chiesa della Magione
  The Admiral's Bridge ("Ponte dell'Ammiraglio")
  Monreale Cathedral and Benedictine cloister
  Cefalù Cathedral
  Edifices in Messina
  Messina Cathedral
  Church of Chiesa di Santa Maria della Valle
  Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani
  Erice the Venus Castle and the main church ("Duomo dell'Assunta")
  Castelvetrano, Church of the Santissima Trinità di Delia
  Casalvecchio Siculo, Church of Santi Pietro e Paolo d’Agrò
  Itala, the Arabic Norman Church of Saints Peter and Paul
  Montalbano Elicona, Palatine Chapel
  Sciacca, Church of San Nicolò la Latina and Church of Santa Maria della Raccomandata
  Caltanissetta, Abbey of the Santo Spirito
  San Fratello, Shrine of the Tre Santi
  Bronte, Norman bridge and Castle of Nelson (old Abbey of St. Mary in Maniace)
  Syracuse, Church of San Nicolò ai Cordari and Church of San Giovanni alle catacombe (St. John the Catacombs)
  Nicosia (Sicily), Norman castle
  Castle of Milazzo
  San Marco d'Alunzio, Ruins of the Norman Church of St Saviour(S. Salvatore) and ruins of the Norman castle
  Adrano, Norman castle
  Aci Castello
  Motta Sant'Anastasia, Norman tower (Dongione)
  Caronia, Norman castle
  Catania Cathedral
  Ponte dei Saraceni (Norman bridge), Adrano
  Ponte Calatrasi (Norman bridge), Roccamena
  Ponte di Cerami (Norman bridge), Cerami
caption: Interior of the Cathedral of Cefalu
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