The Cathedral of Syracuse

The Cathedral of Syracuse, Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, stands on the elevated part of the island of Ortigia, incorporating the Athenaion, in Doric style, the main sacred temple of the polis of Syrakousai, dedicated to Athena. Its style is mainly Baroque and Rococo on the outside, while inside it alternates parts dating back to the Siceliot era, since they belong to the Greek temple and parts dating back to the medieval era, built by the Normans. During the terrible earthquake of 1693 that razed several cities in eastern Sicily, including a large part of Syracuse, the Cathedral remained standing and although its Norman facade was destroyed, its internal structure, including the columns of the Greek temple, remained safe. In the reconstruction following the earthquake, the bell tower was not rebuilt while the facade was reworked in a different way. Bishop Tommaso Marini launched a competition for the construction of the new facade in which the best architects in Sicily participated. In the end, the competition was won by Andrea Palma from Trapani, who began work in the early 1700s. The work was completed in two periods and for this reason, according to many, it presents two ornamental styles: the Baroque style and the Rococo style. In the centre of the upper floor there is a niche containing the statue of the Immaculate Conception. The Cathedral of Syracuse has several statues on its exterior. They are the work of the sculptor from Palermo Ignazio Marabitti, who was the most famous Sicilian sculptor of his time. A churchyard made up of thick marble steps delimited by two quadrangular bases on which are the statues depicting the apostles Peter and Paul open the way to access the Cathedral of Syracuse and its three portals. The central door is rectangular in shape and its notable frieze is composed of floral motifs and bunches of grapes. The column that houses these bas-reliefs is turned in shape. The interior has not been modified and still shows the appearance of the original Norman basilica. Near the entrance you can see two holy water stoups in the shape of cherubs, which are the work of the Syracusan sculptor G. Puglisi (sculpted in 1802). The ceiling of the central nave dates back to 1528, and is made up of sturdy wooden beams. The polished marble floor dates back to the end of the eighteenth century (while that of the central nave dates back to 1444); the entire flooring depicts elaborate geometric figures. At the end of the central nave there are two pulpits, in medieval style, built in 1926. In the high altar there is a seventeenth-century painting (oil on canvas) depicting the "Nativity of Mary", whose artist is thought to be either Agostino Scilla or Leburn. In the pediment's aedicule there is instead the canvas of "Christ the King" painted by Mario Albertella in 1927. The left nave is in fact characterised, in addition to the imposing Doric columns, by a series of valuable 16th-century sculptures by the Gagini family. At the end of the left nave there is a Norman chapel dedicated to the Madonna della Neve, because the statue of this Madonna managed to remain unharmed despite the fury of the earthquake of 1693. Inside there is also a statue of the Madonna della Neve, a work by Antonello Gagini. The chapel of Santa Lucia is of great significance for the people of Syracuse, as it houses relics and memories of their history. At the centre of the chapel there is an altar composed of a silver frontal made by Desio Fornò based on the designs of Mauro Troia (1750-1800). Behind the altar there is an oil painting on canvas depicting the Virgin Lucia from the 13th century by an unknown artist. Behind the painting there is a niche, in which there is the precious silver simulacrum of Saint Lucia, the work of the sculptor Pietro Rizzo from Palermo (1599-1600), while the case, also in silver, on which the simulacrum rests, is attributed to Nibilio Gagini, and is decorated with bas-reliefs that represent the scenes of the Saint's life. The simulacrum is kept safely locked inside a case made up of two wooden doors and in front of them a sturdy iron gate that protects it, as it is considered the most precious work of the Cathedral. Unfortunately therefore not visible in the film. The chapel of the "Santissimo Sacramento", also called "Torres chapel", is defined artistically and structurally as the most beautiful in the Cathedral, due to its frescoes on the dome and due to the elaborate architectural decorations that compose it.
Wikipedia source: it.wikipedia.o...
Filmed with PANASONIC S5II and INSTA360 X4.
#siracusa #syracuse #sicily #sicilia #italy #italia

[@daviddistella6937]

Un filmato di incomparabile bellezza, ottimamente inquadrato e pure i tempi sono perfetti. Con i miei migliori complimenti all' autore di queste fantastiche immagini. 💖💐

[@MassimoNalli]

@@daviddistella6937 grazie molto gentile 🤗

[@sydneyr.cauveren7857]

Happy New Year, Massimo! You remain simply addictive!!

[@MassimoNalli]

@@sydneyr.cauveren7857 ciao Sydney! Happy new year to you too.

[@ioioioioio265]

Lavoro di una utilità incomparabile. Sarebbe interessante seguire le tappe di qualche Grand Tour.

[@valentinagrilli1536]

e gia

[@MassimoNalli]

@@ioioioioio265 grazie ciao

[@ioioioioio265]

@@MassimoNalli Grazie a te.