L’Abside, Costruzione e Geometrie: alcune Riflessioni

Apses in Norman cathedrals of western Sicily, including those in Palermo, Monreale, and Cefalù, exhibit unparalleled decorative grandeur and structural resilience, often serving as propaganda tools for their patrons. The study highlights three primary geometric variants—semicircular, polygonal (semi-octagonal), and straight—each with distinct construction challenges and aesthetic outcomes. Semicircular apses, while ideal for mosaic or fresco decoration, posed complications in stonework, leading to innovative designs like fan-shaped arrangements or seashell motifs. Polygonal apses offered practical advantages in side openings and roofing, while straight terminations required complex geometric solutions such as pendentives or triangular crossings. The research also explores historical transformations of apses, including the 'telescope' effect where newer structures engulf older ones, leaving visible remnants. These findings underscore the interplay between structural innovation, resilience in seismic regions like Sicily, and the symbolic significance of apse design in religious architecture.

Nobile, M. R. (2015). L’ABSIDE, COSTRUZIONE E GEOMETRIE: ALCUNE RIFLESSIONI. Abside. Costruzione e geometrie, 7–19. https://doi.org/10.17401/abside-nobile