Cefalù Cathedral (Cefalú, Sicily, Italy) : Frontal view of the West Front, showing blind arches and compound arches over the triple arched portico

Creator:
unknown (Norman)
Published/Created:
Cefalú, Sicily, Italy
1131-1240
Date Depicted:
10/20/1997
500 AD - 1499 AD
Materials:
stone
Notes:
The cathedral, dating from 1131, was commenced in the Norman style, the island of Sicily having been conquered by the Normans in 1091. According to tradition, the building was erected after a vow made to the Holy Saviour by the King of Sicily, Roger II, after he escaped from a storm to land on the city's beach. The fortress-like character of the building, which, seen from a distance, rises as a huge bulk above its medieval town, may in part reflect the vulnerability of the site to attack from the sea. It also made a powerful statement of the Norman presence.
Variant Titles:
Cathedral-Basilica of Cefalù
Topics:
Architecture -- Italy -- 12th century -- (YVRC)
Architecture -- Italy -- 13th century -- (YVRC)
Period/Style:
Norman
Romanesque
Culture:
Norman
Accession Number:
1A3-N-S-CD-B7
Genre:
architecture (AAT)
churches: cathedrals (AAT)
Format:
Image
Content Type:
Sculptures, Models, & Architecture
Rights:
Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Access Restrictions:
Yale Community Only
Digital:
architectural exteriors; rulers and leaders; religious construction buildings; basilicas; buildings; religious buildings; churches; cathedrals arch: compound; arch: blind
Source Creator:
Gilchrist, Scott
Source Title:
Archivision Module Three
Source Created:
2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
10/20/1997
Source Note:
Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist
Yale Collection:
Visual Resources Collection
Digital Collection:
Visual Resources Collection
Local Record Number:
4152
OID:
10159322
PID:
digcoll:1803518