In the mosaic cycle of the Monreale Cathedral, the representation of the sovereign, who commissioned the complex, occurs twice: above the wall of the royal throne and on the wall of the archiepiscopal throne. The first mosaic shows the king of Sicily dressed in the classical dalmatic robe, standing ...

The clipei of the choir's four ogival arches feature images of angels, kings and prophets. Arranged in a crescendo, they tell the story of salvation along with the rest of the mosaic cycle. The first arch shows representations of the Archangel Michael and the Archangel Gabriel with the tondo of Divi...

The clipei of the choir's four ogival arches feature images of angels, kings and prophets. Arranged in a crescendo, they tell the story of salvation along with the rest of the mosaic cycle. The first arch shows representations of the Archangel Michael and the Archangel Gabriel with the tondo of Divi...

Originally, the Latin term clipeus referred to the typical shield used by Greek soldiers, but during the Middle Ages and later in the Renaissance period, the term clipei was used to refer to the scenes inscribed inside a circle in a cycle of frescoes or mosaics. The clipei of the Monreale choir's fo...

The mosaic decorations of the Monreale naves illustrate biblical and evangelical passages that were certainly also referred to during liturgical celebrations, especially when the Holy Scriptures were read. In the nave, there are depictions, on a gold background, of the stories of the Old Testament, ...

The sarcophagi of the Norman kings William I and William II are placed at the end of the right aisle of the Monreale Cathedral. William I, known as "the Bad", rests in a red porphyry sarcophagus, commissioned by his son. The sarcophagus of William II, the founder of Monreale, is made of white marble...

In church buildings, the choir is an area for the singers or monks. It is usually located behind the high altar, in abbey churches, representing the final part of the church, close to the apse. However, in cathedrals, the choir is located in the presbytery area, in front of the altar or in the main ...

In church buildings, the choir is an area for the singers or monks. It is usually located behind the high altar, in abbey churches, representing the final part of the church, close to the apse. However, in cathedrals, the choir is located in the presbytery area, in front of the altar or in the main ...

In church buildings, the choir is an area for the singers or monks. It is usually located behind the high altar, in abbey churches, representing the final part of the church, close to the apse. However, in cathedrals, the choir is located in the presbytery area, in front of the altar or in the main ...

Many cathedrals were entrusted to canons regular, while others were built with the plan of being entrusted to a conventual order. This is what happened in Monreale with the Benedictines or Cefalù with the Augustinians. In fact, in addition to the convent, both buildings have a cloister....