The Signature
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The Cathedral of Monreale: a jewel of the Norman Empire
By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs ising above the heart of the main nave of the Cathedral Fight with the Angel. The mosaics on the side aisles represent of Monreale, two magnificent mosaics display the the major events of the life of Jesus, from His birth to the last Norman king of Sicily. In one mosaic, William II, who Crucifixion, along with the miracles worked by Christ. Elegant ruled from 1166 to 1189, is crowned by Christ; in the other Latin and Greek inscriptions further embellish the mosaics. he offers a miniature of the Church to the Virgin Mary. His Typical of Byzantine churches, the focal point of the mosaic prominence in this cathedral is not surprising, considering cycle is the magnificent representation of the “Pantocrator,” or that the construction of this monumental church was actually Christ as the ruler of the universe. The image is about 42 feet meant to show off his wealth and magnificence! long and 23 feet high. Since the early period of Christianity, When William I, known as “The Bad,” died in 1166, his mosaics played a central role in worship as they depicted son William II, later known as “The Good,” was just 13 paintings of biblical stories to educate believers. years old. His mother, Margaret of Navarre, served as regent Sicilian art historian Maria Katja Guida explained that, until he reached his majority over the centuries, the precious in 1171, but the kingdom was mosaics underwent various actually controlled by the bishop restorations. “Two in particular of Palermo and the royal vicewere important. One, carried out chancellor. When the young king at the end of the 15th or mid 17th took the throne, he wished to century, introduced more or less demonstrate his independence realistic environments into the and his power through the scenes – floors with tiles drawn in construction of a grand cathedral. perspective, meadows in flower, Thus, three years after his rolling hills,” said Guida. “The coronation, construction began. other, following the fire in 1811, According to some historians, resulted in a widespread renewal the church of Santa Maria la of figures and scenes, especially Nuova, (the official name of in the areas above the central bay the Monreale cathedral) was and in the two arms of the transept, originally a tiny Saracen hamlet reconstructing the figures on the named “Ba’lat” where local basis of the inscriptions or the farmers used to gather to cart descriptions of Del Giudice. The their produce to the Palermo 19th century restorers completed market. Nowadays, this outdoor the unfinished work of the reign market still exists and is known of William II with the decoration The Cathedral of Monreale, one of the greatest historic jewels as “Ballarò.” of the lateral walls of the windows of Sicily, also called Santa Maria la Nuova, was built during the The cathedral is an amazing of the upper story of the Church.” Middle Ages. This breathtaking and monumental art treasure mixture of Arab, Byzantine, and In addition to the church, blends Arab, Byzantine, Jewish, Gothic, Norman and Romanesque Norman architectural styles. Two William also built an adjoining cultures. (Photo by https://www.bbpalermo.it ) massive square bell towers flank monastery for the Benedictines of the main church entrance. The front of the façade is decorated Cava dei Tirreni and a cloister with a Moresque colonnade. with interlaced arabesques made of lava and limestone inlays. The magnificent cloister, which is arranged in an elegant The amazing doors made of bronze display 42 bas reliefs quadrangle delimited by 208 twin marble columns, is the describing various scenes from the Old and New Testaments only element that still remains from the original Benedictine created by Bonanno Pisano in 1186. complex located next to the cathedral. The columns support Inside, the cathedral is divided into three naves. The floor of elegant pointed arches with decorated lava and tuff-stone the church, which dates back to 1569, is composed of white lintels. The capitals display scenes of Sicily’s Norman history Taormina marble with multi-colored granite and porphyry complete with knights and kings as well as scenes from the patterns and borders. The current ceiling is a restored Bible, lives of the saints, gargoyles, and floral motifs. The reproduction dating from 1811, when the original roof was cloister is enriched with a fountain in Arabic style located in severely damaged in a fire. the southwest corner. The high altar is covered with worked sheets of silver. The The chapel also holds the tombs of William I “The Bad” apse and the lateral walls of the interiors of the church are and of William II “The Good,” as well as those of Margaret of decorated with group of 130 mosaics that covers a surface Navarre and the French king Louis IX. of 6,340 square meters. Created by Greek and Byzantine Monreale Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday from craftsmen in less than 10 years, these are the most complete 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Sundays series of mosaic belonging to the Byzantine tradition today. from 2:15-5:15 p.m. Face coverings are required in the The Old Testament is portrayed upon the walls of the central cathedral. Last tickets are sold 30 minutes prior to closing. nave, starting from the Creation and ending with Jacob’s Make sure to visit the “Cathedral Treasure,” which includes
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