Monreale Cathedral, Sicily
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In 1072, the Normans drove the Arabs from Sicily, establishing Palermo as their capital and re-consecrating the cathedral. In 1174, in an act of piety, thanksgiving and commemoration of the exiled Bishop, King William II ordered the construction of a new church in Monreale, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Enlightened, tolerant and appreciative of many aspects of North African and middle-eastern culture and art, William II employed the very best Arabic and Byzantine, as well as Norman craftsmen to work on the cathedral. The Cathedral of Monreale (1180s) is the pinnacle of achievement of Arab-Norman art. It was founded in 1172 by William II. A Benedictine monastery was built next to the cathedral which is famous for its remarkable interior, the magnificent gold mosaics representing episodes from the Bible. The cloister has pointed Arab arches with geometric motifs, and scenes are sculpted in the capital of the 228 white marble twin columns. Around the same time, the town of Monreale was founded, which was the seat of the most powerful Archbishops of Sicily in 1183. During the following centuries, new neighbourhoods grew around other religious congregations, leading to the constructions in the 17C and 18C of many ecclesiastical buildings which gave Monreale its characteristic Baroque appearance.
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Monreale Cathedral, Sicily
- 1. First created 25 May 2015. Version 1.1 - 22 Jun 2015. Jerry Tse. London. Monreale Cathedral All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial, Educational and personal use. The Golden Mosaic of Sicily
- 2. The architecture is unusual … The cathedral encompassed several styles – Norman, Islamic, Byzantine, Roman and traces of Middle Eastern plan. The cathedral was original built in the late 12C but the porch on lower part of the entrance was added in the 18C.
- 3. Abstract geometric Islamic motif … Above shows the Islamic decorative motif mingled with the Gothic pointed arch of the window, on the main façade of the cathedral.
- 4. Turreted Norman tower was left unfinished … The turreted tower with embattlements on the left side of the cathedral. It is used as the bell tower.
- 5. The three apses, Middle Eastern plan … The exterior of the three apses, which was a characteristic of older Middle East churches, was finely decorated with geometrical motif of lava stone inlays, carvings and interlaced arches. It is a combination of Norman, French and Byzantine styles.
- 6. The Romanesque portico entrance … The main entrance to the cathedral from the side, though a Romanesque portico under a row of Romanesque windows on the wall above.
- 7. At the entrance there is a sculpture of William II (1155-1189 reign 1166-1189), the Good, who offered the church to the Virgin. The Norman king …
- 8. Monreale is famous for its 6500 sq m golden mosaics Christ Pantocrator at the central apse.
- 9. A huge portrait of Christ at the central apse. Byzantine mosaic …
- 10. The 12C-13C mosaics occupy the entire nave and the aisles, the choir and the transepts. They illustrate scenes from the Bible. The basilica plan of ancient Rome …
- 11. The Apse …
- 12. The golden arch …
- 13. The gilded wooden ceiling, its construction and decoration. The gilded ceiling …
- 14. The golden arch at the aisle …
- 15. The Christian kings …
- 16. The Madonna at the central apse.
- 17. The angel on the left aisle. The medieval angel …
- 18. Noah releases a dove to find land on the right aisle. Noah and the Flood …
- 19. The medieval angel …
- 20. Stories from the Bible …
- 21. Ceiling just in front of the apse. The golden coffer ceiling …
- 22. Close-up view of the mosaic. Geometric pattern …
- 24. Mosaic covered pillars and arches …
- 25. The creation of Eve from Adam’s rib. Creation of Eve …
- 26. Man meets woman …
- 27. The arches on the right …
- 28. The arches on the left …
- 29. Portrait of King Salomon. The wise king …
- 30. The ceiling of the aisle …
- 31. Gilded coffered ceiling at the transept. Coffered ceiling above the choir …
- 32. The saints …
- 33. On the arched portico …
- 34. Marble and coloured stones inlays at the right apse. Marbles and coloured stones …
- 35. Marble and coloured stones inlays at the right apse. Stone inlays …
- 36. Steps to the main altar. Note the marble and coloured stones inlays on the steps. Mosaic on the steps …
- 37. The main altar. Note the marble floor. The central apse …
- 41. Designs on the aisle portico s …
- 42. The cloister of the abbey
- 43. The Norman tower …
- 44. The cloister is surrounded by pointed arches, double pillars and the arches are covered by Arabic inspired geometrical patterns. The cloister …
- 45. Carvings on the pillers …
- 46. Carvings on the capital of a pillar. Medieval carvings on the capital …
- 47. Evolution of styles …
- 48. All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use. The End Music – Zadok the Priest composed by George Frederic Handel for the coronation of the George II.
Editor's Notes
- In 1072, the Normans drove the Arabs from Sicily, establishing Palermo as their capital and re-consecrating the cathedral. In 1174, in an act of piety, thanksgiving and commemoration of the exiled Bishop, King William II ordered the construction of a new church in Monreale, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Enlightened, tolerant and appreciative of many aspects of North African and middle-eastern culture and art, William II employed the very best Arabic and Byzantine, as well as Norman craftsmen to work on the cathedral. The Cathedral of Monreale (1180s) is the pinnacle of achievement of Arab-Norman art. It was founded in 1172 by William II. A Benedictine monastery was built next to the cathedral which is famous for its remarkable interior, the magnificent gold mosaics representing episodes from the Bible. The cloister has pointed Arab arches with geometric motifs, and scenes are sculpted in the capital of the 228 white marble twin columns. Around the same time, the town of Monreale was founded, which was the seat of the most powerful Archbishops of Sicily in 1183. During the following centuries, new neighbourhoods grew around other religious congregations, leading to the constructions in the 17C and 18C of many ecclesiastical buildings which gave Monreale its characteristic Baroque appearance.
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- The interior is impressive in its spaciousness and rich décor. Not only are three mosaics throughout, but also large antique columns with decorative capitals, marble panelling on the lower wall surfaces and an ornamental floor in the sanctuary. The mosaics cover the upper portions of the walls of the sanctuary and the nave, in all a surface area of roughly 7000 sq metre. The Monreale Cathedral thus presents the most extensive mosaic décor in Italy, surpassing even Venice’s San Marco.