Monreale Cathedral mosaics

The Monreale Cathedral Mosaics are the main internal feature of Monreale Cathedral in the city of Palermo, Sicily, Italy; the mosaics cover 6,500 m2. They are made of glass tesserae and were executed in Byzantine style between the late 12th and the mid-13th centuries by both local and Venetian masters.[1] With the exception of a high dado, made of marble slabs with bands of mosaic between them, the whole interior surface of the walls, including soffits and jambs of all the arches, is covered with minute mosaic-pictures in bright colors on a gold ground. The mosaic pictures, depicting stories from both the Old and New Testament, are arranged in tiers, divided by horizontal and vertical bands. In parts of the choir there are five of these tiers of subjects or single figures one above another.

East Apse

The half dome of the central apse has a colossal half-length figure of Christ, with a seated Virgin and Child below; the other apses have full-length figures of St Peter and St Paul. Inscriptions on each picture explain the subject or saint represented; these are in Latin, except some few which are in Greek. The subjects in the nave begin with scenes from the Book of Genesis, illustrating the Old Testament types of Christ and His scheme of redemption, with figures of those who prophesied and prepared for His coming. Around the lower tier and the choir are subjects from the New Testament, chiefly representing Christ's miracles and suffering, with apostles, evangelists and other saints. The design, execution and choice of subjects all appear to be of Byzantine origin, the subjects being selected from the Menologion of Basil II drawn up by the emperor Basil II in the 10th century.

By location[2]

Inner facade

Madonna col Bambino.
Madonna col Bambino.
Level North side North door Main door South door South side
Medallions
Bifora level Creation of Eve Eve Presented to Adam
Side-roof level Lot and the Two Angels Saint Cassius Destruction of Sodom
Bifora level Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes Martyrdom of Saint Castro and Saint Castrense Madonna and Child Miracles of Saint Castrense Healing of the Infirm Woman

South side

Lower register (south side).
Lower register (south side).
Transept, Choir, Apse Bifora Nave Pendentives South wall
Adam in the Earthly Paradise Nave:
«Old Testament cycle»
Hospitality of Abraham Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes
Adam Introduced to the Earthly Paradise The Three Angels Visit Abraham Healing of Saint Peter's Mother-in-Law
God Rests from Creation Building the Tower of Babel Resurrection of Jairus' Daughter
Creation of the Animals and Man Drunkenness of Noah Healing of the Woman with an Issue of Blood
Creation of the Fishes and Birds God Sends the Rainbow to Noah Resurrection of the Widow's Son
Creation of the Stars The Animals Leave the Ark Saint Peter Saved from the Waves
Creation of the Dry Land Noah's Flood Healing of the Man with Arthiritis
Separation of the Seas and the Dry Land The Animals Enter the Ark Healing of the Leper
Creation of Light Noah Builds the Ark Healing of the Demon-Possessed Man
Creation of Heaven and Earth
Medallion Medallion Triumphal Arch Medallion Figure
Full-length figure Transept:
«Life of Christ Cycle»
Full-length figure Full-length figure
Visitation[3] / Flight into Egypt Third Temptation of Christ The Disciples and the Donkey Christ Before Pilate
Annunciation[3] Second Temptation of Christ Resurrection of Lazarus Christ's Arrests
Zechariah Leaves the Temple[3] Transfiguration
Annunciation to Zechariah[3] / Joseph's Dream First Temptation of Christ Christ and the Samaritan Woman Christ Washes the Disciples' Feet
Full-length figure Full-length figure Full-length figure
Medallion Medallion Apse arch Medallion King William II Offers the Church to the Virgin Mary
Habbakuk Obadiah, Joel Choir side-walls Saint Peter Meets Saint Paul Fall of Simon Magus
Isaiah Jeremiah, Amos San Peter Resurrects Tabitha Dispute with Simon Magus
Tetramorph and Cherubin Gabriel, Uriel Apse
Christ Pantocrator Disciples Saints

Saints

Entablature
SANCTA EULALIA, SANCTA SPES, SANCTA REGINA, SANCTA CHRISTINA, SANCTA IUSTA, SANCTA METRODORA, SANCTA FIDES[4]
Arch Underside
1 SANCTUS BIVIANUS, SANCTUS MELITUS, SANCTUS ALEXSANDER
2 SANCTUS ELIANUS, SANCTUS FLAVIANUS, SANCTUS CHYRIUS
3 SANCTUS NICALLIANUS, SANCTUS PRISCUS, SANCTUS SISINUS
4 SANCTUS ANGIUS, SANCTUS HESICHIUS, SANCTUS SMARAGDUS
5 SANCTUS HERACLIUS, SANCTUS CHIDIUS, SANCTUS EUNIOCUS
6 SANCTUS GAIUS, SANCTUS NICANDER, SANCTUS VALTERIANUS
7 SANCTUS CANDIDUS, SANCTUS SATORUS, SANCTUS DONATUS
8 SANCTUS HONORATUS, SANCTUS FORTUNATUS, SANCTUS SAVIANUS

North wall

Bottom register of the north side of the nave.
Bottom register of the north side of the nave.
Transept, Choir, Apse Bifora Nave Pendentives North wall
Eve Tempted by the Serpent Nave:
«Old Testament cycle»
God Orders Abraham to Sacrifice Isaac Healing of the Infirm Woman
Original Sin Sacrifice of Isaac Healing of the Man with Dropsy
God Reproves Adam and Eve Rebecca Waters the Camels Healing of the Ten Lepers
Expulsion from the Earthly Paradise Rebecca's Journey Healing of the Two Blind Men
Labours of Adam and Eve Isaac and Esau Christ Expels the Money-Changers from the Temple
Sacrifices of Cain and Abel Isaac Blesses Jacob The Woman Caught in Adultery
Cain Kills Abel Jacob Flees Healing of the Paralysed Man
God Curses Cain Jacob's Dream Healing of the Crippled and the Blind
Lamech Kills Cain Jacob Wrestles with the Angel Anointing at Bethany
Noah Commands the Construction of the Ark
Medallion Medallion Triumphal arch Medallion Figure
Full-length figure Transept:
«Life of Christ cycle»
Full-length figure Full-length figure
Journey of the Magi[5] / Wedding at Cana Deposition Christ with the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus The Miraculous Haul of Fish
Adoration of the Magi[5] Burial of Christ Supper at Emmaus Ascension
Herod Orders the Massacre of the Innocents[5] The Two Disciples After Christ Disappeared at Emmaus
Massacre of the Innocents[5] / Baptism of Christ Christ in Limbo The Two Disciples Return to Jerusalem Pentecost
Full-length figure Full-length figure Full-length figure
Medallion Medallion Apsidal arch Medallion Christ Crowns King William II
Jacob Malachi, Jonah Side-walls of choir Baptism of Saint Paul Saint Paul Flees Damascus
Zechariah Ezekiel, Moses Saint Paul Disputes with the Jews Saint Paul Entrusts Letters to Timothy and Silas
Tetramorph and Seraphim Archangels Raphael and Michael Apse
Christ Pantocrator Disciples Saints

Saints

Entablature
SANCTA POTENZIANA, SANCTA MARINA, SANCTA ODELLA, SANCTA CHARITAS, SANCTA FIDES, SANCTA THEODORA, SANCTA NINFODORA[6]
Arch Underside
1 SANCTUS DIOMETIANUS, SANCTUS THEOPHILUS, SANCTUS EUTHISIUS
2 SANCTUS LYSIMACHUS, SANCTUS SANTHIUS, SANCTUS GORGONIANUS
3 SANCTUS IOHANNES, SANCTUS CLAUDIUS, SANCTUS LEONTIUS
4 SANCTUS ANGIAS, SANCTUS PHILOCTIMUS, SANCTUS IOHANNES
5 SANCTUS HELIAS, SANCTUS ACATIUS, SANCTUS VALERIUS
6 SANCTUS DOMNUS, SANCTUS ETIUS, SANCTUS QUIRIANUS
7 SANCTUS ACERDON, SANCTUS EDITIUS, SANCTUS THEODOLUS
8 SANCTUS REPOSITUS, SANCTUS AURONTIUS, SANCTUS SEOMIRIUS

East Apses

Register Left apse Central apse Right apse
Top Christ Pantocrator Blessing
Middle Saint Paul cycle and Beheading of Saint Paul Saint John, Saint Philip, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Luke, Saint James, Saint Peter, Archangel Michael, Madonna of the Immaculate Conception and Child Enthroned, Archangel Gabriel, Saint Paul, Saint Andrew, Saint Mark, Saint Thomas, Saint Simon, Saint Matthew Saint Peter cycle and Crucifixion of Saint Peter
Bottom Saint Paul Enthroned Saint Martin, Saint Agatha, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Biagius, Saint Stephen, Saint Peter of Alexandria, Saint Clement, Saint Sylvester, Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Saint Laurence, Saint Hilarion, Saint Benedict, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Nicholas of Myra Saint Peter Enthroned

Apsidal arch

King William II Crowned by Christ King William II Offering the Church to the Virgin Mary

Old Testament

Creation cycle

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 IN PRINCIPIO CREAVIT DEUS CÆLUM ET TERRAM[7] In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth
2 FECIT DOMINUS LUCEM, APPELLAVITQUE LUCEM DIEM ET TENEBRAS NOCTEM He made the light, and he called the light day and the darkness night
3 FECIT FIRMAMENTUM IN MEDIO AQUARUM ET DIVIDAT AQUAS AB AQUIS He set the sky in the midst of the waters and divided the waters
4 CONGREGENTUR AQUÆ QUÆ SUB CÆLO SUNT IN LOCUM UNUM ET APPAREAT ARIDA Let the water under the sky be gathered in one place and let dry ground appear
5 FIANT LUMINARIA IN FIRMAMENTO CÆLI Let there be lights in the sky
6 PRODUCANT AQUA REPTILE ANIMÆ VIVENTIS ET VOLATILE SUPER TERRAM SUB FIRMAMENTO CÆLI Let the water produce teem with living creatures and let birds fly over the land under the sky
7 FACIAMUS HOMINEM AD IMAGINEM ET SIMILITUDINEM NOSTRAM ET INSPIRAUIT IN FACIEM EIUS SPIRACULU VITÆ Let us make man in our own image and likeness; and he breathed into him the breath of life
8 REQUIEVIT DOMINUS DIE SEPTIMO AB OMNI OPERE QUOD PATRARAT The Lord rested from all his work on the seventh day

Earthly Paradise cycle

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 COLLOCAVIT DEUS ADAM IN PARADISO[8] God placed Adam in paradise
2 REQUIEVIT ADAM IN PARADISO Adam rested in paradise
3 IMMISIT DOMINUS SOPOREM IN ADAM ET TULIT EVAM DE COSTIA EIUS The Lord sent a sleep on Adam and brought Eve from his side
4 ADDUCIT DOMINUS MULIEREM AD ADAM DIXITQUE ADAM HOC ENIM OS EX OSSIBUS MEIS ET CARO DE CARNE MEA The Lord led the woman to Adam and Adam said "For this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh"
5 NEQUAQUAM MORIEMINI SI COMEDETIS ERITIS SICUT DII You shall by no means die; if you eat it you shall become like God
6 MULIER SUGGESTIONI SERPENTIS TULIT DE FRUCTU ET COMEDIT DEDITQUE VIRO SUO At the serpent's suggestion, the woman picked the fruit and ate it and gave it to her husband
7 VOCAVIT DOMINUS DEUS ADAM ET DIXIT EI UBI ES ET QUIS INDICAVIT TIBI QUOD NUDUS ESSES The Lord God called Adam and said "Where are you?"; "And who told you that your were naked?"
8 HIC EXPULIT ADAM ET EVA DE PARADISO DEUS ET POSUIT CHERUBIM CUSTODEM CUN FLAMMEO GLADIO Here God expels Adam and Eve and places a cherubim on guard with a flaming sword
9 ADAM CEPIT LABORARE TERREM Adam begins working the land
10 CAYM ET ABEL OFFERUNT DOMINO HOLOCAUSTA Cain and Abel offer burned-offerings to the Lord
11 INTERFECTUS ABEL A FRATRE SUO CAYM Abel Killed by his Brother Cain
12 DIXIT DEUS, CAYM, CAYM, SANGUIS FRATRIS TUI VOCAT ME DE TERRA God said "Cain, Cain, your brother's blood calls to me from the earth"
13 TRAHENS LAMECH ARCU SUO INTERFICIT CAYM Dragging his arch Lamech kills Cain

Noah's Flood cycle

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 PRÆCIPT DOMINUS AD NOE DICENS FAC TIBI ARCAM DE LIGNIS LEVIGATIS[9] The Lord commanded Noah, saying "Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood"
2 NOE SECUNDUM MANDATUM ARCAM FECIT OPERARI According to the command, Noah had an ark made
3 NOE PONI FECIT BESTIAS ET VOLUCRE IN ARCA Noah had beasts and birds placed in the ark
4 NOE MISIT COLUMBAM ET REDUIT CUM RAMO OLIVA Noah sent a dove and it returned with an olive branch
5 CESSATO DILUVIO NOE EXTRABI FECIT BESTIA AB ARCA Once the flood had ended he head the beasts leave the ark
6 DIXIT DOMINUS AD NOE, ARCUM MEUM PONAM IN NUBIBUS ET ERIT SIGNUM FŒDEVIS INTER ME ET TERRAM ET NON
ERUNT AMPLIUS DILUVII AD DELENDA UNIVERSAM CARNEM
The Lord spoke to Noah "I place my bow in the sky and it shall be a sign of the covenant between the earth and I and never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life
7 HIC OSTENDIT CAM VERENDO PATRIS GEMINIS FRATIBUS Here Ham tells his two brothers of their father's drunkenness
8 FILII NOE EDIFICANTES TURRIM CONFUSA SUNT LINGUAM EORUM ET VOCATUM EST LOCUM ILLUD BABEL Noah's sons building a tower; their tongues are confused; and that place is called Babel

Abram cycle

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 ABRAHAM ANGELOS HOSPITIO SUSCEPIT ET CUM TRES VIDERET UNUM ADORAVIT[10] Abraham welcomed the angels and adored them, seeing the three as one
2 ABRAHAM MINISTRAT ANGELIS Abraham serves the angels
3 ANGELIS DIRIGUNT OCULOS CONTRA SODOMEN SODOMITÆ VALLAVERUNT DOMUM LOTH Angels direct their eyes against Sodom; the Sodomites surround Lot's house
4 SUMMERSIUM SODOMA FUGIT LOTH CUM UXORE ET FILIABUS SUIS Destruction of Sodom; Lot flees with his wife and daughters
5 PRÆCEPIT DEUS ABRAHÆ UT IMMOLARET FILIUM SUUM God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son
6 ABRAHAM, ABRAHAM, NE EXDENDAS MANUM TUAM SUPER PUERUM Abraham, Abraham, do not reach out your hand against the boy
7 REBECCA DAT POTUM SERVO ABRAHÆ ET CAMELIS SUIS Rebecca gives drink to Abraham's servant and his camels
8 REBECCA VADIT CUM SERVO ABRAHÆ Rebecca goes with Abraham's servant
9 DIXIT ISAAC AD FILIUM SUUM ESAU SUME ARMA TUA ET EGREDERE FORA CUMQUE VENATUM ALIQUOD APPREBENDES FACINDE PALMENTUM UT COMENDAM ET BENEDICAM TIBI ANTEQUAM MORIAM Isaac said to his son "Esau, take your arms and your bow and with them go hunt for something. Prepare me food that I may give you my blessing before I die
10 HIC BENEDIXIT ISAAC IACOB FILIUM SUUM Here Isaac Blesses his son Jacob
11 REBECCA DIXIT FILIO SUO JACOB FUGE AD LABAN FRATREM MEUM IN HARAM Rebecca said to her son Jacob "Flee to Laban, my brother in Haram"
12 VIDIT JACOB SCALAM SUMMITAS EIUS CÆLOS TANGEBAT - EREXIT JACOB LAPIDEM IN TITULUM FUNDENS OLEUM DESUPER - JACOB FUGIEBAT - JACOB INALAVIT CUM ANGELO ANGELUS BENEDIXIT ET DICENS NEQUAQUAM VOCABERIS JACOB, SED ISRAEL ERIT NOMEN TUUM Jacob saw a ladder reaching up to heaven - Jacob set up the stone as a pillar, pouring oil upon it - Jacob was fleeing - Jacob wrestles with an angel; the angel blessed him, saying "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name"

New Testament

Christ's Miracles (south side)

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 MULIER MAGNA EST FIDES TUA, FIAT TIBI, SICUT PETIISTI ET SANATA EST FILIA EIUS EX ILLA HORA[11] "Woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you desire." Her daughter was healed from that very hour.
2 SANCTUS CALOGERUS Saint Calogerus
3 OBTULERUNT AD IESUM HOMINEM MUTUM DÆMONIUM HABENTEM IESUS SANAVIT LEPROSUM DICENTEM ILLI. DOMINE
SI VIS, POTES ME MUNDARE
They brought to Jesus a mute man with a demon. Jesus cured the man with leprosy, who said to him "Lord, if you will it, you can heal me
4 ET EIECTO DÆMONE LOQUUTUS EST MUTUS and - once the devil had been thrown out - the mute man could speak.
5 IESUM HOMINEM MANUM ARIDAM HABENTEM SABATO IN SYNAGOGA CURAT Jesus cures the man with the withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath
6 IESUM SUPER MARE AMBULAT ET PETRUM MERGENTEM ALLEVAT Jesus walks on the sea and saves Peter from drowning
7 IESUM FILIUM VIDUÆ RESUSCITAT EXTRA PORTAM CIVITATIS NAIM Jesus resurrects the widow of Nain's son in front of the city gate
8 MULIER FLUXUS SANGUINIS HABENS SIMBRIAM VESTIMENTA IESU CRISTI TANGIT ET AB IPSA INFIRMITATE SANATUR The woman with the issue of blood touches Christ's robe and is healed of her illness.
9 IESUS FILIAM IAYRI PRINCIPIS SYNAGOGÆ DEMO RESUSCITAT Jesus resurrects the daughter of Jairus, leader of the synagogue
10 IESUS LIBERAT SOCRUM SIMONIS A MAGNIS FEBRIBUS Jesus frees Simon's mother-in-law from a great fever
11 IESUS QUINQUE PANIBUS ET DUOBUS PISCIBUS QUINQUE MILLIA HOMINUM SATIAVIT ET DE FRAGMENTIS DUODECIM
CONFINI IMPLENTUR
Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fish and the scraps fill twelve baskets

Christ's Miracles (north side)

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 IESUS MULIERUM ANNIS DECEM ET OCTO CURVAM ERIGIT ET ARCHISYNAGOGUM INDIGNATEM INCREPAT[12] Jesus heals the woman infirm for 18 years and clashes with the indignant leaders of the synagogue
2 SANCTUS FIRMUS Saint Firmus
3 IESUS IN DOMO CUJUSDAM PRINCIPIS FARISEORUM SANAT HYDROPICUM DIE SABBATI Jesus heals the man with dropsy in the house of the leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath day
4 IESUS CUM INGREDERETUR QUODDAM CASTELLUM DECEM VIRI LEPROSI OCCURRERUNT EI QUOS UT VIDIT DIXIT
OSTENDITE VOS SACERDOTIBUS ET DUM IRENT MUNDATI SUNT
Entering a town, Jesus healed ten men with leprosy and told them "Show yourselves to the priests"; and as they went they were made clean
5 IESUS ILLUMINAT DUOS CÆCOS SECUS VIAM SEDENTES ET CLAMANTES DOMINI MISERERE NOSTRIS Jesus gives sight to two blind men sitting by the road and shouting "Lord, have pity on us"
6 IESUS EJECIT DE TEMPLO OVES ET BOVES ET MENSAS NUMMULARIORUM EVERTIT Jesus throws the sheep and cattle out of the temple and overturns the money-changers' tables
7 MISERUNT IN TEMPLUM HOMINEM PARALYTICUM IN LECTO ANTE PEDES IESU ET SANAVIT EUM They sent the paralysed man in to the temple in his bed before Jesus' feet and he healed him
8 IUDAEI TENTANTES ADDUCUNT AD IESUM MULIEREM IN ADULTERIO DEPREHENSAM The Jews take the woman caught in adultery before Jesus to test him
9 IESUS SANAT CÆCOS ET CLAUDIOS Jesus heals the crippled and the blind
10 MARIA MAGDALENA UNGIT PEDES IESUS LACRIMIS LAVAT ET CAPILLIS EXTERGIT Mary Magdalene washes Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair
11 DOMINI FILIUS MEUS JACET IN LECTO PARALYTICUS ET MALE TORQUETUR Lord, my son lies paralysed in bed and in great pain

Nativity (south side)

Christ Tempted
Latin inscription Translation Image
1 ZACHARIAS STUPEFACTUS IN TEMPLO VERBIS ANGELI OBMUTUIT[6] Zechariah is struck dumb for not believing the angel's words in the temple
2 ZACHARIAS DE TEMPLO EGREDITUR, NON VALENS LOQUI EXPECTANTIBUS Zechariah leaves the temple, unable to speak to those awaiting him
3 ANNUNCIATIO SANCTÆ MARIÆ Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
4 AUDIVIT SALUTATIONEM MARIÆ, EXULTAVIT INFANS IN UTERO HELISABET On hearing Mary's greeting, the child leaps in Elisabeth's womb
5 SANCTUS IOSEPH Saint Joseph
6 NATIVITAS IESUS CHRISTI Nativity of Jesus Christ
7 PASTORES Shepherds
8 MAGI VIDENTES STELLAM IN ORIENTEM VENERUNT IN HIERUSALEM Seeing a star in the east, the Magi come to Jerusalem
9 MAGI MUNERA OFFERUNT DOMINO IESU CHRISTO The Magi offer their gifts to the Lord Jesus Christ
10 HERODE REX. ITE OCCIDITE OMNES PUERES A BIMATU ET INFRA King Herod. "Go kill all the boys aged two and under."
11 IUSSU HERODIS TRUCIDANT PUEROS, RACHEL PLORAT FILIOS SUOS They slaughter the boys according to Herod's command; "Rachel weeps for her children"
12 ANGELIS IN SOMNIS LOQUITUR IOSEPH, TOLLE PUERUM ET FUGE IN ÆGIPTUM An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream, [saying] "Take the boy and flee to Egypt"
13 PRESENTATIO CHRISTI IN TEMPLO Presentation of Christ in the Temple
14 STETIT IN MEDIO DOCTORUM He stood amidst the doctors
15 JESUS SEDENS AD NUPTIAS DE AQUA FECIT VINUM Sitting at the wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine
16 BAPTISMUS CHRISTI Baptism of Christ

Passion (south side)

Madonna and Child Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet Arrest of Christ Last Supper
Latin inscription Translation Images
1 IESUS CHRISTUS DUCTUS AD CRUCIS PASSIONE[13] Jesus Christ led to his cross and passion
2 IESUS CHRISTI CRICIFIXIO Jesus Christ crucified
3 DESCENSIO CORPORIS CHRISTI Christ's body taken down [from the cross]
4 CORPUS CHRISTI PONITUR IN SEPULCHRO Christ's body placed in the tomb
5 RESURRECTIO CHRISTI Resurrection of Christ
6 ITE ET DICITE DISCIPULIS EIUS ET PETRO QUIA SURREXTIT ET NON EST HIC "Go and tell his disciples and Peter that he has risen and is not here
7 NOLI ME TANGERE, NONDUM ENIM ASCENDI AD PATREM MEUM "Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my father"
8 QUI SUNT HI SERMONES, QUO CONFERTIS AD INVICEM AMBULANTES ET ESSIS TRISTES "What are you sadly talking of as you walk along?"
9 COGNOVERUNT EUM IN FRACTIONE PANIS They knew him in the breaking of bread.
10 NONNE COR NOSTRUM ARDENS ERAT IN NOBIS DE IESU "Did not our hearts burn within us because of Jesus?"
11 INGRESSI IN HIERUSALEM DUO DISCIPULI, INVENERUNT CONGREGATOS UNDECIM DICENTES, QUOD SURREXIT DOMINUS VERE ET
APPARUIT SIMONI
Entering Jerusalem, the two disciples went to the eleven gathered together, who said to them "The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon."
12 JESUS DICIT THOMA, INFER DIGITUM TUUM HIC ET OFFER MANUM TUAM IN LATUS MEUM Jesus said to Thomas, "Place your finger here and put your hand in my side"
13 PETRO MERGENTE IN MARE TRAHENTIBUS DISCIPULIS PLENUM RETE Peter jumping into the sea, with the disciples dragging the full net
14 ASCENSIO DOMINI Ascension of the Lord
15 PENTECOSTEN Pentecost

Saint Peter cycle

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 CRUCIFIXIO SANCTI PETRI[14] Crucifixion of Saint Peter
2 SANCTA DOMINICA - SANCTA SCHOLASTICA - SANCTA SUSANNA
SANCTA SABINA - SANCTA TECLA - SANCTA IUSTINA
3 DUM PETRUS INTRAT IN TEMPLUM CUM IOHANNE SANAT CLAUDUM IN PORTA SEDENTEM As Peter enters the temple with John he heals a lame man sitting in the gateway
4 HIC PETRUS ADULIDAM, SANAVIT PARALITICUM, DICENS ENEA SANET TE DOMINUS IESUS CHRISTUS Here Peter heals a paralysed man, saying "Aeneas, may Jesus Christ heal you"
5 HIC INOPEM SUSCITAVIT TABITAM, DICEM TABITA SURGE Here he resurrected poor Tabitha, saying "Tabitha, arise"
6 HIC PAULUS VENIT ROMAM ET PACEM FECIT CUM PETRO Here Paul came to Rome and made peace with Peter
7 HIC PETRUS ET PAULUS IN ROMA ANTE NERONEM DISPUTAVERUNT CUM SIMONE MAGO Here Peter and Paul disputed with Simon Magus before Nero
8 HIC PRÆCEPTO PETRI ET ORATIONE PAULI SIMON MAGUS CECIDIT IN TERRAM Here by the command of Peter and the prayer of Paul Simon Magus fell to earth
9 SE SCIENS LIBERATUM AB ANGELO PETRUS SECURÉ VADIT AD HOSPITIUM Knowing himself freed by an angel, Peter safely goes to his host
10 PRÆCEPIT ANGELUS PETRO, UT CITO SURGAT, ET VELOCITER DE CARCERE EXEAT Then the Angel commanded Peter "Get up quickly and quickly leave the prison"
11 EMANUEL - SANCTUS EUPHEMIUS - SANCTUS ZOZIMAS
SANCTUS PAULUS PRIMUS HEREMITA - SANCTUS CYRUS - SANCTUS IOHANNES
SANCTUS CESARIUS - SANCTUS HIPPOLYTU - SANCTUS HELEUTHERIUS
SANCTUS COSMAS - SANCTUS DAMIANUS
SANCTUS SISTUS - SANCTUS BONIFATIUS - SANCTUS SAVINUS - SANCTUS GERMANUS
SANCTUS MARIUS - SANCTUS ALEXANDER MARTYR - SANCTUS CLAUDIANUS - SANCTUS SEVERINUS
SANCTUS CIANUS - SANCTUS GUARUS - SANCTUS VANDUS
12 SANCTUS PETRUS PRINCEPS APOSTOLORUM, CUI TRADITÆ, SUNT CLAVES REGNI CÆLORUM Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, to whom were handed the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

Saint Paul cycle

Latin inscription Translation Image
1 DECOLLATIO SANCTI PAULI[15] Beheading of Saint Paul
2 SANCTA RESTITUTA - SANCTA MARGARITA - SANCTA CATHERINA
SANCTA RADEGUNDIS - SANCTA VENERA - SANCTA IUDICTA
3 AD MANUS AUTEM ILLUM TRAHENTES INTRODUXERUNT DAMASCUM but carrying him by hand, they brought him to Damascus
4 SALVE FRATER DOMINUS MISIT ME IESUS, QUI APPARUIT TIBI IN VIA QUA VENIEBAS, UT VIDEAS ET IMPLEARIS SPIRITO SANCTO Hail, brother, Lord Jesus sent me, he who appeared to you on the road on which you were going, that you may see and be filled with the Holy Spirit
5 HIC CONVERSUS PAULUS BAPTIZATUR AB ANANIA Here the convereted Saint Paul is baptised by Ananias
6 HIC DISPUTANDO PAULUS CONFUNDIT IUDÆOS Here Paul confutes the Jewish in debate
7 PAULUS PER FENESTRAM IN SPORTAM DIMISSUS PER MURUM, EFFUGIT MANUS DAMASCENORUM Escaping through a window in the wall, Paul flees the hands of the Damascenes
8 PAULUS TRADIT EPISTOLAS DISCIPULIS SUIS TIMOTHEO ET SYLEÆ DEFERENDAS PER UNIVERSUM ORBEM Paul hands letters to his disciples Timothy and Silas to carry to the whole world
9 ET CUM PAULUS ITER FACERET CONTIGIT, UT APPROPINQUARET DAMASCU ET SUBITO CIRCUMSULSIT EUM LUX DE CÆLO ET
CADENS IN TERRAM AUDIVIT VOCEM DICENTEM SIBI, SAULE, SAULE, QUID ME PERSEQUERIS
and with Paul made their way to Damascus; and suddenly he was surrounded by heavenly light and fell to the ground, hearing a voice saying to him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
10 SAULUS ABIT AD PRINCIPEM SACERDOTUM ET PETIIT AB EO EPISTOLAS IN DAMASCUM ET AB SYNAGOGAS, UT SI QUOS,
INVENISSET HUJUS VIÆ VIROS, AC MULIERES VINCTOS DUCERET IN HIERUSALEM
Saul goes to the priest's house and seeks letters from him letters to Damascus and the synagogues, that he may in this way find and defeat the men and women and bring them to Jerusalem
11 FOUR SERAPHIM - SANCTUS SABBA - SANCTUS ARSENIUS - SANCTUS PACHOMIUS
SANCTUS PANTALEO - SANCTUS HERMOLAUS - SANCTUS EUPLIUS - SANCTUS PLACIDUS
SANCTUS MAURUS - SANCTUS SERGIUS - SANCTUS BACCHUS
SANCTUS IOHANNES OS AUREUM - SANCTUS GREGORIUS FERMO DEI - SANCTUS AMBROSIUS - SANCTUS AGUSTINUS
SANCTUS CIPRIANUS - SANCTUS NAZARIUS - SANCTUS CORNELIUS - SANCTUS CELSIUS
SANCTUS SENATOR - SANCTUS CASTODORUS - SANCTUS VIATOR
12 SANCTUS PAULUS PRÆDICATOR VERITATIS ET DOCTOR GENTIUM Saint Paul, preacher of the truth and Doctor of the Gentiles

References

  1. Guida d'Italia. Touring Club Italiano.
  2. (in Italian) Michele del Giudice in Descrizione Del Real Tempio, E Monasterio Di Santa Maria Nuova, di Morreale.
  3. Bottom register of south transept
  4. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 12.
  5. Bottom register of the north side
  6. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 13.
  7. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 8-9.
  8. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 9.
  9. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 9-10.
  10. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 10.
  11. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 11-12.
  12. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., pages 12-13.
  13. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 15.
  14. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 18.
  15. Michele del Giudice, Descrizione..., page 17.

Bibliography

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