Monreale

Our final stop in Sicily was to the small town of Monreale. The town of  Monreale was a tiny village which first gained any kind of recognition after it was chosen as a hunting resort by the Normans. The cathedral was begun in 1174 by King William II and is widely considered one of the greatest existing examples of Norman architecture. We arrived mid-morning to the bus parking area and walked the staircase and hill which leads to the center of the small town. We were greeted by blaring loud music and herds of young, costumed children. For most of the time we were in Sicily, Carnivale was taking place. We happened to time our arrival in Monreale just as they were having their Fat Tuesday parade in preparation for the beginning of Lent.

Our first stop was actually the exterior of the apse. Even this is done up in intricate inlaid stone.

When you enter the cathedral it quite literally takes your breath away. The Cappella Palatino in Palermo comes close, but nothing else really compares.

It would seem that every story every told in the Bible is somewhere on the walls in mosaic tile. I recognized Noah’s Ark, the baptism of Christ, etc. and I feel I should know what this one is, but I don’t. However, I was quite amused by the angels climbing a physical ladder to the heavens so I have included it here.

After our visit to the cathedral we visited the attached cloister where we saw iconography similar to that of the cloister in Cefalu. This time, rather than being carved into the column, the four elements were represented by inlaid stone. I think this one is once again fire. However, there were 5 distinct patterns, so I am just guessing since a 1-to-1 correspondence isn’t possible.

Following lunch we headed back to the Port of Palermo to board our ship to take us home overnight. It was a different shipping line, but the same idea. There were rougher seas so there were some stories of vomit to be told by the students upon our return, but Amy and I slept well and arrived refreshed in Civitavecchia for the short bus ride back to Viterbo. What did we find upon our return? Miraculously clear streets with only small hints of snow. We left during winter, we returned to spring, complete with longer hours of daylight, warmer temperatures and less of a bite in the air. But, don’t tell the Italians. They are all still bundled up in their winter best.