The supreme example of that Sicilian artistic style which combines Byzantine, Norman and Arabic influences is the cathedral of Monreale. Even if I’d seen pictures of its wonders before I was utterly and wondrously stunned when I entered into the womb of this majestic building.  Its somewhat unprepossessing exterior does not prepare one for what lies within it for the façade is flanked by two towers, one of which is ruinous and the neo classical portico is nothing special.

But step inside and hold your breath. The interior breathes radiance; it’s literally ablaze with golden light reflected in the thirteenth century mosaics which cover its nave.

The Old Testament is illustrated above the cathedral’s left aisle and the New Testament is exemplified on its right side.

These mosaics lead the eye to what must be one of the most powerful representations of Christ as Pantocrator or Creator of the Universe. It is so noble, so powerful I think that gazing upon it would convert momentarily even the most stubborn atheist…

For this was the aim of the building of Monreale: to demonstrate the great earthly power of the Norman dynasty married to the heavenly power of God: to impress and to inspire at the same time.  Almost a thousand years later it has not ceased to do this.

As my old English master at school recently commented to me “Monreale is one of the most impressive places I have ever seen” and this is  coming from a true world traveller…

If the cathedral is probably one of my top five cathedrals (could you choose your top five?  I leave you to guess what my other four are – one of them in England) then Monreale’s cloister has absolutely no paragon. Uniquely extraordinary and intimate in its effloresce of columns with each one crowned by own distinct capital and with that amiable fountain within its own mini cloister in one corner the cloister breathes angelic love of  beauty and truth.