The Peter and Paul Cycle in the Palatine Chapel, Sicily

12th century
Mosaic
Palatine Chapel, Palermo, Sicily

The north and south (left and right) walls of the chapel feature twelve mosaic panels on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. They follow a rather odd chronological order, as shown in this chart:



The twelve panels present the following episodes:

  1. Peter Cures the Man Lame from Birth (Acts 3:1-10, not photographed)
  2. Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda
  3. Peter Raises Tabitha to Life
  4. Saul is Sent to Persecute Christians in Damascus
  5. Saul Sees a Great Light and Hears the Voice of Jesus
  6. Saul is Baptized as Paul
  7. Paul Preaches in Damascus
  8. Peter is Released from Herod's Prison
  9. The Angel Leads Peter to the City Gate
  10. Peter and Paul Meet in Rome (from the apocryphal Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, not photographed)
  11. They Debate with Simon Magus Before Nero
  12. The Death of Simon Magus

The links will take you to photos and discussions of the individual panels. The mosaics are also presented in Vicenzi, 60-67 and 80-85.