#Monreale

[vintageeurope]

Monreale, Italy 1880s

[wandering-italy]

Heading to the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily.

Dec. 2019

[philoursmars]

Avec Christine, on a fêté nos 40 ans d'amitié en faisant un voyage de 15 jours en Sicile. Nous voilà à Palermo (Palerme).

Non loin, voici Monreale et sa superbe cathédrale arabo-normande.

[wgm-beautiful-world]

Castellaccio di Monreale - ITALIA

[sciatu]

IL DUOMO DI MONREALE IN UNA PUBLICAZIONE DI INIZIO SECOLO

In questo giornale di inizio 1900, la cattedrale di Monreale è rappresentata con i mezzi di allora e quindi le sue tessere d’oro e la sua luminosità solare si è persa  nel grigiore oscuro dell’inchiostro. Questa differenza tra la bellezza reale, dorata e luminosa, e quella rappresentata, buia e triste, mi ricorda la differenza tra la vita come dovrebbe essere e quella attuale. Tra la vita nella pace e quella delle guerre quando non è più il motivo per scrivere credendo nell’uomo. Troppe guerre, troppi morti, troppi orfani mutilati e madri senza più figli. Siamo tutte pedine mosse dal potere del male, illusi con motivazioni ridicole ad accettare, a donare sangue e speranze insieme ai nostri domani. È come se ogni cosa perdesse colore, come se i cieli si oscurassero e le primavere si vestissero a lutto e tutto, tutto quanto diventasse il grigiore che precede il buio. In questa nevicata oscura, scrivere d’amore e dei fiori della gioia, pare un insulto, come schiuma del mare  colorata di sangue. Il dolore non ha un passaporto, l’ingiustizia non ama nessuno e a tutti ruba tutto: alle vittime la vita, ai carnefici la loro umanità. I versi perciò sanno di fango, le parole non sono più tessere d’oro nella magnificenza di un mosaico, ma solo la fuliggine di un fuoco infernale, l’arsura degli assetati, l’impotenza amara dei padri, le lacrime acide delle madri. Le parole diventano bossoli vuoti, avanzi di vita, orme nella sabbia o nella neve di chi non c’è più. La luce abbandona ogni cuore e spegne le chiese, le anime, prosciuga la gola e spinge i poeti e i sognatori a nascondersi nel profondo della terra  per pagare anche loro il loro prezzo alla follia della storia.

In this OLD newspaper from the early 1900s, the Monreale cathedral is represented with the means of the time and therefore its gold tiles and its solar brightness have been lost in the dark grayness of the ink. This difference between the real beauty, golden and bright, and the represented one, dark and sad, reminds me of the difference between life as it should be and what it is now. Between life in peace and that of wars when it is no longer the reason to write believing in man. Too many wars, too many deaths, too many mutilated orphans and mothers with no more children. We are all pawns moved by the power of evil, deluded with ridiculous motivations to accept, to give blood and hopes together at our tomorrows. It's as if everything lost color, as if the skies darkened and the springs dressed in mourning and everything, everything became the grayness that precedes the darkness. In this dark snowfall, writing about love and the flowers of joy seems like an insult, like sea foam colored with blood. Pain does not have a passport, injustice loves no one and steals everything from everyone: the victims' life, the executioners' humanity. The verses therefore taste like mud, the words are no longer golden tiles in the magnificence of a mosaic, but only the soot of an infernal fire, the thirst of the thirsty, the bitter impotence of fathers, the acid tears of mothers. Words become empty shells, leftovers of life, footprints in the sand or snow of those who are no longer there. The light abandons every heart and extinguishes churches, souls, dries up the throat and pushes poets and dreamers to hide in the depths of the earth to also pay their price to the madness of history.

[wandering-jana]

Cloister of the Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily.

Check out my wanderings of Monreale:

[shutterandsentence]

"Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness."

— Floyd W. Tomkins

Photo: Monreale Cathedral, Sicily, Italy

[paramedicabroad]

Arab-Norman Palermo & the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu & Monreale

Join me on a virtual journey through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale in Sicily, Italy. Let's delve into a landscape where Islamic, Norman, and Byzantine influences converge to create a tapestry of architectural marvels. From the bustling streets of Palermo to the serene settings of Cefalù and Monreale, Sicily's Arab-Norman heritage invites you to explore a rich fusion of cultures.

In 2015, the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale were collectively inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This recognition celebrates the unique synthesis of cultures and architectural styles that flourished during this remarkable period in Sicilian history.

Wander through the streets of Palermo, a city where Arab, Norman, and Byzantine influences intertwine. Explore the vibrant markets, like the Ballarò and Vucciria, where echoes of diverse cultural heritages resonate through the bustling alleys.

Discover the Arab-Norman architectural wonders of Palermo, exemplified by the Palatine Chapel within the Palazzo dei Normanni. Admire the intricate mosaics, horseshoe arches, and ornate ceilings that showcase the synthesis of Islamic and Norman artistic styles.

Embark on a journey to Cefalù and marvel at its cathedral, a testament to Norman grandeur. The Cathedral of Cefalù stands proudly against the backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea, its facades adorned with Byzantine-influenced mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Ascend to the heights of Monreale to witness the grandeur of its cathedral. The Cathedral of Monreale, with its golden mosaics and awe-inspiring interior, seamlessly blends Norman, Arab, and Byzantine elements. The cloister, adorned with intricate columns and arches, serves as a serene retreat within this architectural masterpiece.

Admire the intricate mosaics that adorn the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale. These masterpieces, characterized by their vibrant colors and meticulous craftsmanship, narrate stories of religious significance, historical events, and cultural exchanges.

Explore how the Arab-Norman legacy continues to shape Sicily's cultural landscape today. Festivals, events, and ongoing preservation efforts ensure that these architectural treasures remain not just relics of the past but vibrant contributors to the region's dynamic identity.

In conclusion, Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale invite us to witness the fusion of civilizations that occurred in the heart of Sicily. When you're ready for a digital immersion into the cultural crossroads of the Mediterranean, these sites promise to captivate and transport you to a time of harmonious diversity. 🕌🏰✨🇮🇹

[pol-veri-na]

Monreale, Palermo (Italy)

IG: @vaerjs

[captainmartinisblog]

Captain Martini in the Mediterranean

Wednesday 30th August 2023 – Arab-Norman Heritage in Palermo, Sicily

After a less-than-quiet morning on board Silver Nova, our afternoon excursion took us first by bus to the Porta Nuova, celebrating the conquest of Tunis in 1535.

Just around the corner was the Palazzo Normanni or Royal Palace, founded in 1072 following the Norman conquest of Sicily and the oldest Royal Palace in Europe still in use – though today as Government offices.

The Palace’s main attraction today though is the Palatine Chapel, commissioned by King Roger II in 1132. The decorative mosaics are absolutely stunning.

From there we travelled by bus up to the hillside town of Monreale to see the Cathedral built founded by King William II in 1172 following a vision, or so the story goes, which told him to build it.

Well, at least that’s the explanation he gave at the time to explain the apparent competition with the Cathedral in Palermo – or more particularly, the then Bishop of Palermo!

I should mention here that, this same excursion to Monreale was the very first land excursion John & I did on our very first cruise back in 1983! And here are the photos to prove it….

Our visit today, however, coincided with a Sicilian wedding and it was fascinating to see what was, to my eyes at least, a lesson in disorganised chaos! The public were still in the cathedral when the whole thing began and we all got to hear the organ playing the Prince of Denmark’s March as the Groom came in and then the Wedding March when the bride arrived! Amazing!

The serenity of the Monastery Cloister next door was in marked contrast. With something like 232 decorated columns and, surprisingly, not many visitors, was quite beautiful. The town sits on the hillside above Palermo and there was a great view down to the coast and the Tyrrhenian Sea beyond.

[primepaginequotidiani]

PRIMA PAGINA La Nuova Sardegna di Oggi lunedì, 30 dicembre 2024

[piccolotiranno]

[wandering-italy]

This cloister is one of the best-preserved cloisters in all of Italy. It is so wonderful. The mosaic tiles in the columns just sparkle when the sun hits them.

Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily

Dec. 2019

Explore:

[philoursmars]

Avec Christine, on a fêté nos 40 ans d'amitié en faisant un voyage de 15 jours en Sicile. Nous voilà à Palermo (Palerme).

Non loin, voici Monreale et sa superbe cathédrale arabo-normande.

Ici, le cloître. Chaque couple de colonnes est différent des autres...

Etranges oiseaux à tête humaine (photo 4) et lions (?) à corps d'oiseau et à queue de serpent (photo 3) ...

[wgm-beautiful-world]

Monreale Cathedral in Palermo, Sicily, ITALY

[viaggiaescopri]

Itinerario a Palermo, cosa fare in un weekend tra città e dintorni #viaggiaescopri #travelwebtv #lelelatta