Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III Farnese, was Archbishop of Monreale from 1568 to 1573. Born in Valentano in 1520, he studied in Parma and then in Bologna. A refined patron and man of culture, during his time in office he also devoted himself to renovating the Monreale Cathedral, through major refurbishments. In particular, the northern portico was renovated in 1547, based on a design by Alessandro Timpanella, and the ceiling and marble floor were restored.
