Italy celebrates Arab-Norman Palermo wining of world heritage status

PALERMO, Italy, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- Italy celebrated Friday the UNESCO inscription of the "Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu and Monreale" on the World Heritage List.
At the start of the glittering ceremony, attended by a galaxy of Italian officials and public figures, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando unveiled a commemorative plaque at the entrance of the Royal Palace which hosts Sicily parliament.
President Mattarella's eagerness to attend today's ceremony recognizes and highlights the Arab-Norman contribution to the history of the country, the Orlando told the audience.
He pointed out that at a time of hatred and fear as well as barriers building, "we send this message of coexistence." Last July, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the inclusion of the "Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu and Monreale" on its world Heritage List.
Located on the northern coast of the Italian island of Sicily, Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu and Monreale is a series of nine religious and civic structures dating from the era of the Norman kingdom of Sicily (1130-1194).
Two palaces, three churches, a cathedral, and a bridge are in Palermo, the capital of the kingdom, and two cathedrals are in the municipalities of Monreale and Cefalu. Collectively, they are an outstanding example of a socio-cultural syncretism between Western, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures.
This interchange gave rise to an architectural and artistic expression based on novel concepts of space, structure, and decoration that spread widely throughout the Mediterranean region. (end) mn.ibi