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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Basilica in Palermo, Sicily

Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Palermo, Sicily has a few basilicas, but the most famous is likely the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

It's a truly stunning building with a complex history, reflecting the various cultures that have influenced Palermo over the centuries.

Take a look below.

The front entrance to the Cathedral

We arrived on a beautiful sunny morning to see this massive structure which has survived centuries of invasions, plagues, renovations and politics.

Construction began in 1185 on the site of a former mosque, which itself was built over an earlier Byzantine basilica.

Each invader tended to destroy, build over or modify the structure on an earlier site of worship, leaving their architectural mark which is evidenced today.

The open area before the Palermo Basilica, Palermo, Sicily

Walking into the gated area of the basilica

Architecturally speaking, there are components of Norman, Arab, Byzantine and Renaissance details in the construction of this basilica.

It's a beautiful building, no doubt, and one worth visiting.

Looking back on why those architectural changes were made by the Conquerors of the Age tells a different story. Each invader made a statement to the current population they wanted to control: "We are taking your place of worship and installing our own."

Taking over houses of worship throws a moral and emotional blow to the local population.

Upgrades and renovations are a different matter, of course.

Senior couple in front of the Palermo Basilica, Palermo, Sicily

Billy and Akaisha in front of the Basilica

This church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a well-known tourist site due to the beauty and history of the building.

It's a spectacular morning as you can see.

The entrance to Palermo Basilica, Palermo, Sicily

The distinctive entrance

If you look at the top of the Cathedral, you will see what are called crenels (or crenelles). These are the gaps or openings in the parapet that allow defenders to fire arrows or other projectiles at attackers while still having some protection.

The solid sections of wall between the crenels are called merlons. The soldiers (who are defending the building of faith and all the treasure within) are somewhat protected by these solid sections of wall as they view the battle field below.

 

 

 

 

Can you imagine?

A battlefield in front of this Cathedral, and this happened over and over again throughout the centuries.

These structures are a distinctive feature of medieval military architecture and you can find them on castles and forts around the world.

On the right hand side of the center entrance is a stone inscription of a verse from the Quran, when this was a Muslim Mosque.

Inside Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

The beautiful, peaceful interior of the Cathedral

Basilicas are very wealthy places. They might hold religious relics, gold and silver ornaments, and artworks that could be sold for a high price. So invaders wanted these items to enhance their own treasure and to fund the expansion of their armies.

And, just to emphasize, by attacking a basilica, invaders could strike a blow against the morale of the people they were conquering. It made it easier to control the population and to erase the cultural identity of the conquered people.

Right now, this building is serving as a symbol of Christian authority. But previously when it was a Mosque, it manifested Muslim authority.

Inside Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

Another look inside

Here you see marble columns, beautiful wooden pews, ornate carvings on the side walls, statues, and painted ceilings.

There are chandeliers, wrought iron candelabras, and marble flooring.

Today, it's hard to imagine the chaos this place has experienced.

Coat of Arms, Ferdinand III of Sicily, Palermo Basilica, Palermo, Sicily

Coat of Arms, Ferdinand III of Sicily

This is a very ornate sculpture/coat of arms of Ferdinand III of Sicily - who was Christian. You have Angels, and the cross, and an eagle in the center.

side chapel in Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

A side chapel in the Cathedral

Side chapels offer a smaller area for worship, perhaps with a favored saint.

These beautifully adorned chapels add dimension to the already stunning cathedral.

Stations of the cross are on either side of this entrance.

A  heliometer and meridian line inside Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

A solar meridian on the Cathedral floor

This Heliometer - or solar observatory - was built in 1801.

A tiny hole in a minor dome serves as a pinhole camera, projecting an image of the sun onto the floor.

This bronze line runs precisely North and South, so at solar noon (about 12pm in winter, 1pm in summer) the sun passes through this line.

The astrological signs above are Aries on top and Libra on the bottom.

The heliometer on the floor of Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

Another look at the Heliometer

 At different times of the year the passage of the sun occurs at different point of the line.

The ends of the line mark the positions at the summer and winter solstices, and the signs of the zodiac show various dates throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

The zodiac signs above are Gemini, Cancer and Leo.

The purpose of this instrument was to standardize the measurement of time and the calendar to provide the correct date for Easter.

Vaulted ceilings and arches, Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

Vaulted ceilings and archways

Here is a closer look at the vaulted ceilings, arches, skylights.

Beautifully painted and engraved ceilings, decorative moldings, wrought iron gates, and candelabras.

Ornate carved statue Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily

Ornate carved statue

This statue appears to be St. Peter being carried to heaven by cherub angels.

Marble columns are on either side and brass candlesticks are in front.

These churches hold a lot of wealth, so no wonder invaders wanted to pillage them.

This cathedral in Palermo is like a time capsule, with history carved into the walls, the columns, statues, flooring and ceilings.

Deserves a visit, and entrance is free.

__________

Palermo Cathedral

Via Vittorio Emanuele

90040 Palermo, Italy

Tele: 091 334373

 

For more stories, photos and videos of Italy, click here for Sicily, click here

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About the Authors

 
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

 

contact Billy and Akaisha at theguide@retireearlylifestyle.com

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