Monreal medieval cathedral restored

[Imperial Dave]

https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgmk79rg93o.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17349379310538&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

Stunning...

[Nick Harbud]

Yep, I visited this cathedral before its restoration and it was stunning enough.  Well worth popping into when you are next in Sicily along with Agrigento, Villa Romana del Casale and the ancient remains at Syracuse.

 

[Imperial Dave]

I'll put it in the bucket 🪣

[Nick Harbud]

The history surrounding Monreal cathedral is almost as interesting as the edifice itself.  It was basically built as an exercise in oneupmanship on the part of the Norman King of Sicily, William II, over the then Bishop of Palermo as to who could build the most spectacular place of worship.

Having seen both cathedrals, I reckon William won.

 

[Adrian Nayler]

Well worth popping into when you are next in Sicily

Not to forget the magnificent cloister of Monreale with its finely carved depictions of late 12th century CE Siculo-Norman knights and foot soldiers.

Dave will also be needing a bigger bucket if he adds, as he ought, the splendid early 4th century BCE Euryalus fortress (near Syracuse but not 'at' Syracuse), the late 4th century Hellenistic fortifications at Selinunte (one of my favourites though they didn't save the city), and the difficult to get to without a hire car, Greek fortification wall of the ancient city at Gela (now on the beach but covered for many hundreds of years by sand dunes).

Adrian.

[Imperial Dave]

More stuff I'll probably never see...