Eastern facade of Palermo Cathedral with apse

The apse facade, sandwiched between the small towers , is the most original from the 12th century .

The eastern facade, visible from Piazza Sette Angeli , is bordered by the eastern corner towers to the south and north, which enclose the majestic space corresponding to the enormous presbytery .

This facade of the cathedral is a beautiful example of lava inlay decoration obtained through the creation of geometric and floral figures in lava stone, housed between tuff stones that define a delicate and typical chromatic contrast.

The entire second order is characterized by the interweaving of double reliefs of round arches implying single lancet windows or oculi. The two lateral open apsidal basins are visible from the outer walls and can be traced back to the ancient Gualterian temple located between the connecting towers and from which protrudes the cylindrical mass of the main apse, of which only the first order is decorated with blind arches of different orders of relief.

Willem Vandenameele