CATHEDRAL, Presentation Part Ii

I suggest you take a look at the facade; although it seems older, it was not actually completed until 1906.

It’s difficult to take in the whole facade, because it is separated from the Bishop’s Palace by a rather narrow street, but you cannot fail to be impressed by the two spectacular arches that start out from the facade, cross the street and join at the bell tower of the palace.

The facade, flanked by two towers, has a Gothic portal dating to 1534, topped by a niche in which you can admire a fifteenth-century Madonna. On the portal is a relief depicting Roger on horseback stepping on a Muslim.

Before you enter the Cathedral, I suggest you also take a look at the back. You’ll recognize the Norman structure, with an almost military appearance since the church was originally also used as a fortress, with extremely high walls topped with crenellated battlements. The elegant, Arab-inspired decorations, with splendid inlay work on the entwined arches, gives the building a slender, light appearance....