Between stones and memory: Palazzotto and the rediscovery of Norman genius in Palermo

Exhibition dedicated to the bicentennial of the reconstruction of the bell tower of the Cathedral of Palermo in the context of the study and reuse of the Arab-Norman figurative repertoire in the 19th century.

Exactly two hundred years ago, in 1826 King Francis I of the Two Sicilies approved the winning project of the competition, announced by Cardinal Pietro Gravina di Montevago, Archbishop of Palermo, for the renovation of the bell tower of the Cathedral damaged by the earthquake of 1823. The design was created by the young architect Emmanuele Palazzotto (1798-1872) who was only 27 years old and would complete the main bell tower in 1835.
From that moment on, the tower would become one of the most iconic, admired, and identifying monuments of the city, in a climate of revival of the Arab-Norman style enhanced by architect Patricolo, who was the promoter and executor of the re-edition of Palermo during the golden age of the Normans.

The medieval architecture of Palermo as it can be seen today in many cases is the result of restorations designed by him.

The exhibition aims to contextualize the reconstruction of the bell tower and to provide at the same time unpublished documents of the project from the Palazzotto archive.

Practical information:

For everyone

The ticket to access the exhibitions costs €10

Translation into English and French

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