Sunday Snapshot: Monreale Cathedral in Palermo

Sicily // February 10, 2013

The exterior of Monreale’s 12th century Cathedral belies the rich interior it hides. Inside, 6000 square meters of gold mosaics cover the interior. They shimmer as your eyes adjust to this spectacle.

As you look around, the face of Christ peers down from above the alter whilst below saints and scenes from the gospel decorate the apse and the two smaller ones on the side.

 

Monreale Mosaics

 

What is deceptive is the size of the figure of Christ. It is actually thirteen metres wide and seven meteres high. To put this in perspective, the bridge of his nose is one metre long!

 

 

You can see more photos and descriptions of this amazing Cathedral at The Golden Mosaics of Monreale.

 

 

 

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4 Responses to Sunday Snapshot: Monreale Cathedral in Palermo

  1. Karene February 11, 2013 at 11:54 am #

    Oh my goodness, I just checked out your link to your previous post. Your photos are amazing! The Cathedral is amazing!!! Did you just walk around with your mouth open in awe? I think I would have wanted to photograph every square inch. I loved the rest of the altar wall below the figure of Christ above. And the ceiling! Do you know how long it took to do all that work? And I wonder how many artisans created all that beauty.

    Reply
    • jenny@atasteoftravel February 11, 2013 at 5:42 pm #

      Thank you Karene. Yes, I kept walking around with my mouth open the whole time! This was in my early days of blogging so I didn’t really realise I should have taken a million more photos.It was started in 1174 and dates vary from 1182 to 1185 as to when it was finished.Both Sicilian and Byzantine craftsmen worked on it hence the two influences but I don’t know how many. Quite a few changes have been made over the centuries and decorations added. I’d love to go back and take more photos!

      Reply
  2. Susan @ Cruise Vacation February 11, 2013 at 5:59 pm #

    Thanks for shared your travel experience with us it always inspired me while reading.

    Reply
    • jenny@atasteoftravel February 11, 2013 at 11:05 pm #

      Thank you Susan for you kind comment. It’s lovely to hear that you enjoy following my travels. I enjoy sharing them with you all.

      Reply

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