THE CATHEDRAL OF MESSINA
cathedral in a cloudy May afternoon from mrs Miceli's home
THE HISTORY
This ancient monument, but often destroyed, has been renovated, preserving the original structural features. The Cathedral was built for the first time during the reign of roger II in 1120 and was consecrated on 22 September of 1197.In 1254 at the funeral of Conrad IV, son of Frederick II , the Cathedral suffered a first devastation for a fire, which destroyed the wood panelling of ceiling, same of which fragments are preserved in the regional museum of Messina. Over the years the church was enriched with valuable monuments. Important artists as Di Gregorio, Gagini, Montorsoli, Quagliata and Antonello da Messina worked there, leaving extraordinary works of art, of which very little is left because of earthquakes of 1783 and 1908. Just that in 1908 caused serious damage. Numerous works of art were destroyed, the ceiling and walls collapsed.
THE BELL TOWER
The bell tower of the cathedral of Messina built in Norman times was destroyed by the earthquake of 1783.
In a second time it was rebuilt but later demolished and replaced with two smaller towers.
The main feature is the clock mechanism which not only marks the hours put in motion and gilded bronze statues of mechanical gears with scenes astronomical, religious and towns.
In a second time it was rebuilt but later demolished and replaced with two smaller towers.
The main feature is the clock mechanism which not only marks the hours put in motion and gilded bronze statues of mechanical gears with scenes astronomical, religious and towns.
From the bottom there are:
The carousel of weekdays: each day is represented by a pagan deity, carried on a cart pulled by different animals, each wagon changes at midnight.
The carousel of ages: is formed by four life-size statues representing the stages of life that lead to the center stage every fifteen minutes.
The Church of Montalto whose scene recalls his training. at noon on the sound of Ave Maria Shubert, a dove flies by forming a circle soon emerge from the rock church of Montalto.
Biblical scenes change according to the liturgical calendar.
Holy Mother of the Letter: after noon an angel brings the letter to Madonna, the patron saint of Messina.
Dina and Clarenza are two statues representing the heroes who defended the city during a war.
The carousel of weekdays: each day is represented by a pagan deity, carried on a cart pulled by different animals, each wagon changes at midnight.
The carousel of ages: is formed by four life-size statues representing the stages of life that lead to the center stage every fifteen minutes.
The Church of Montalto whose scene recalls his training. at noon on the sound of Ave Maria Shubert, a dove flies by forming a circle soon emerge from the rock church of Montalto.
Biblical scenes change according to the liturgical calendar.
Holy Mother of the Letter: after noon an angel brings the letter to Madonna, the patron saint of Messina.
Dina and Clarenza are two statues representing the heroes who defended the city during a war.
The cock after noon flaps its wings, raises her head and sings three times.
The lion after noon waving a flag, wags its tail and roars three times.
The Perpetual calendar in which an angel with an arrow indicates the day.
The Planetarium shows the solar system.
The moon indicates the moon phases.
By Oriana Agati, Giulia Candido, Viviana Grosso.
The moon indicates the moon phases.
By Oriana Agati, Giulia Candido, Viviana Grosso.
photos by Roberto Laganà Vinci
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