Taormina

Architecture Around the World ............... Sicily

Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano
Taormina, Sicily
Erected: 13th century
TEXT Beneath Illustrations

Click on illustrations for larger size -- and additional information

13th century Romanesque style

Parapet supported by a corbel table

Norman Arab black/white design achieved using black lava stone and gray limestone

Corbel table with trefoil patterns

Rear entrance

Lava rock and limestone voussoirs

Top: Bottom of the corbel table
Rusted tie rod anchor

Rusted tie rod anchor

Twin lancet windows
Black rock is lava rock

Main entrance

Acroteria above entablature supported by corbels
Fluted frieze

Arrow loop ( now glazed as a a window)

Crenelation with loophole

Interior

Interior

Interior

Interior

Gothic ribbed vaults in basement

Capital features acanthus leaves

Basement Gothic vaulting

Arrow loop ( now glazed as a a window).
See photo directly above.

Voussoirs

Voussoirs

In England and France a number of Romanesque churches were converted to Gothic plans during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries [See St.-Denis Abbey].

In Italy the true Gothic never made substantial inroads, though prominent exceptions like Milan's cathedral stand out.

Instead, a kind of mixed style evolved. This so-called "Italian Gothic" or "Romanesque Gothic" was essentially an updated interpretation of the Romanesque favored by diocesan sees as well as the religious orders such as the Franciscans. Despite the addition of a few Gothic details, there wasn't much "Gothic" to it. No external buttresses, narrow naves, high towers, large windows or gargoyles. -- Sicilian Romanesque Gothic,
by Carlo Trabia

Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano Miscellaneous facts::

Residence of the De Spuches, the Spanish dukes of Santo Stefano di Brifa and princes of Galati, two towns on the Ionain coast near Messina
Sicilian Gothic style
Influence of Arab masons clearly shown in the wide black lava frieze alternating with rhomboidal white Syracusan stone inlay.
tribolated arches and double lancet windows on the facade.
Now a museum

web site consulting by ingenious, inc.


13th century Romanesque style	Parapet supported by a corbel table	Norman Arab black/white design achieved using black lava stone and gray limestone	Corbel table with trefoil patterns

Rear entrance	Lava rock and limestone voussoirs	Top: Bottom of the corbel table Rusted tie rod anchor	Rusted tie rod anchor

Twin lancet windows Black rock is lava rock	Main entrance	Acroteria above entablature supported by corbels Fluted frieze	Arrow loop ( now glazed as a a window)

Crenelation with loophole
Interior	Interior	Interior	Interior

Gothic ribbed vaults in basement	Capital features acanthus leaves	Basement Gothic vaulting	Arrow loop ( now glazed as a a window). See photo directly above.

Voussoirs	Voussoirs