The Cathedral of Cefalù

Cefalù - Cefalù stands out for its artistic, cultural and historical interest. The masterpiece monument is the basilica, a large building overlooking the village. Built by the will of King Roger II of Altavilla, to fulfill a vow made to Christ after having escaped a sea storm. The grandeur of the building makes the cathedral look like a fortress, the presence of the battlements on the south side and various tunnels suggests that the cathedral was built with political-military reasons; the two majestic towers characterized by particular battlements seem to refer one to the spiritual power of the bishop and the other to the temporal power of the King.

The facade has three arches supported by four columns, and introduces the richly decorated marble portal. In this monument Arab architecture and art, Byzantine art, Latin culture and Nordic culture merge. The side of the southern nave is characterized by multiple ring windows bordered by a continuous frame. Attached to the cathedral we find the cloister, square and surrounded on three sides by a portico with columns, whose capitals have interesting figures. The interior of the cathedral has a Latin cross basilica plan, with three naves separated by sixteen columns and as many Roman capitals. Recently adopted (1990) the stained glass windows are inspired by biblical themes from the cycle of Creation to the Apocalypse. The presbytery culminates with the mosaic decoration, here once were the royal throne on the left and the episcopal seat on the right, facing each other. There is a gilded bronze altar; the dominant figure is that of Christ Pantocrator who from the top of the apse is represented in a Christological synthesis. The side aisles also culminate with the apses, much smaller than the central one. The cathedral houses some funerary monuments including a late antique sarcophagus, a medieval one and the sepulcher of Bishop Castelli. Of particular interest is the baptismal font, obtained from a single large block of limestone and decorated with four sculpted lions.