Sunday, March 13, 2011

Monreale

The most impressive sight in Palermo is a few miles, and a long bus ride, out of town, the church and abbey cloister of Monreale, created by Roger II in the 12th century. It is Norman in architecture but the interior is the largest and most extravagant (and intact) set of mosaics we have seen. Nothing remaining from the Byzantine world compares, at least in scope and size. The church--which is cathedral-sized--is poorly lit, so the pix do little justice to the mosaics. Most of them are 40-50-60 feet up in the air, on the walls, and are more than life-sized. But they are a delight. Gold and gold-leaf are everywhere.
I was so impressed with the interior, I forgot
to do any decent shots of the exterior; here
are the towers at the bow of the church





















And the old bronze west door



















Interior



















Closer-up; Jesus H. Christ, Pantocrator



















Ditto















The major scenes depict episodes, stories
from the Old Testament, life of Jesus, and
lives of saints, in three ever-higher bands all
around the the building; here's Jesus (halo)
healing the leopards (spots)






















And dropsy



















And the money-changers



















Crucifiction of St. Peter
























To be continued. I know, I know, I am going to burn in hell,
forever and ever. Amen.

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