Sicily: Palermo – Cappella Palatina in the Norman Palace

The Palatine Chapel aka Cappella Palatina is the crown jewel of the Norman Palace in Palermo. Built between 1132-1140 under the patronage of King Roger II, it highlights and combines Christian, Islamic, and Byzantine influences. The chapel is world-famous for its Byzantine mosaics – super shiny dazzling gold-ground displays, among the finest in the world, depicting biblical scenes – they cover columns, walls, and domed ceilings. Other parts of the ceiling are wooden and feature muqarnas (stalactite-like structures), traditional Islamic architecture, decorated with intricate paintings of animals, plants, and Kufic inscriptions. And finally columns, decorated with colorful marble inlays are a definite nod toward the Ancient Rome. The entire chapel feels almost surreal and you will leave with a neck pain from staring upwards in an absolute awe.