LA MURATURA DI EPOCA NORMANNA A PALERMO E LA SUA REINTERPRETAZIONE TRA XIX E XX SECOLO

Abstract

The dynamics of coexistence, succession, and conflict among different cultures have long been materially expressed through architectural heritage and construction practices. In Sicily, a paradigmatic example emerges from the outcomes of interactions – sometimes overlapping, at times interfering – between Arab and Norman cultures over a brief yet transformative period (1061-1198). This study investigates some representative Norman-period monuments in Palermo, focusing on their construction techniques to offer an interpretative framework for this complex cultural transition. Through a detailed analysis of architectural languages, geometric and morphological features, materials, and building methods, the research explores how the built environment encapsulates processes of continuity, stratification, and innovation. These elements reflect the hybrid identity of a heritage shaped by the confluence of two distinct traditions. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the architectural and technical specificities that define this period, offering new insights for the conservation and valorisation of a unique cultural legacy.