Interior porch of the Syracuse Cathedral--page 5 (of 5 pages)



Temple of Athena, erected in 480 BCE by Gelon, forms the basis of the church built by Byzantine Christians.
Later constructions include side chapels on the south, narthex and Baroque facade (1728-54)
Andrea Palma





The narthex has a three-portal entrance with a profusion of ornament and grotesque elements.
 
 

Spiral columns flanking the central portal

The twisted (Solomonic) capital is a Baroque feature. See, for example, Bernini's Baldacchino in St. Peter's. Here, also, the sculpted grape vine refers to the Eucharist.


Return to page 1--Interior.


Works Consulted or Quoted: Grady, Ellen. Sicily [Blue Guide]. New York: Norton, 2006.



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© 2010 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.