A sacred building rich in history, which has undergone many changes over the years but remains one of the examples more beautiful of architecture Norman. The cathedral of Messina has a long gestation, a masterpiece of art that has gone through many eras and above all many events that have changed it. Earthquakes, fires, which have led to so many changes. It is a building to visit if you are in the Sicilian city, to discover its history and its magnificence. We try to tell you some anecdotes.
The cathedral of Messina, a bit of history
According to ancient documents, edification of the cathedral of Messina dates back to 1120. To want its construction the Norman king Roger II. In 1197 consecrated by Archbishop Benzio and dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. But unfortunately it has undergone many changes over the years. A fire occurred in 1254, during the funeral in honor of Conrad IV of Swabia, son of Frederick II. Destroyed the wooden cladding of the ceiling, stained in color. Some fragments are kept in the Messina Regional Museum. The earthquake of December 28, 1908 was devastating: the cathedral was almost completely destroyed. Only some parts of the perimeter walls and the apses remained. But despite the rubble, the reconstruction was started. And the new cathedral consecrated on August 13, 1929.
And again in 1943 the cathedral of Messina suffered a lot of damage due to the bombings of allies. But the construction site was always restarted. And the works carried out over the years have tried to preserve the ancient Norman structure in the architectural lines. The oldest part of the building is the lower facade formed by polychrome marble bands. And then over the years many works of art of exquisite workmanship and many monuments have been built. Including that of Constance of Castile, wife of Frederick III of Aragon and Alfonso II, king of Naples. They date back to On the other hand, the mosaics of the central apse with Christ Pantocrator on the throne are in the fourteenth century, an image that recalls the characteristic "Greek manner" present in other Sicilian sacred buildings.
The majestic bell tower of the cathedral of Messina
In the cathedral of Messina of particular importance is the bell tower, built after the 1908 earthquake, based on a project by the architect Valenti. 60 meters high on a square base of 9,60 meters on each side. Four orders characterize the structure, delimited by a cornice, which ends with a crenellated cornice and reaches 48 meters in height. Four cusps at the top that surround the central one. And then it is characteristic the complex mechanism of the clock mechanical-astronomical of the bell tower.
The suggestive main portal and its interior
The elevation of the cathedral of Messina with three portals. The central one is laterally framed by two twisted columns resting on two lions. Then there are small overlapping aedicules with statues of saints and angels and the Statue of the Virgin made by Mazzola. Inside, the naves are separated by two rows of 12 columns. And then the marble statues representing saints and the famous Chapels of the Apostolate. There are twelve niches with statues representing the Apostles.
Despite the numerous destructions and reconstructions the Cathedral Messina still fascinates visitors today for the beauty and elegance of its lines. Inside they are visible several funeral monuments of archbishops who survived the various destructions, as well as the almost entirely original mosaic of the left apse.
The curiosity about the cathedral organ
Inside, as well as admiring the ceiling, the naves, you can see the organ complex. Considered the second largest in Italy, it has 5 keyboards, 170 registers, 16.000 pipes. It was built in 1948 by the Tamburini company in Crema.
