Hidden in the “chiostro” (cloister), on the capital of a column, was an image of William II gifting the beautiful Cathedral of Monreale to Mother Mary. Monreale is, of course, a spectacularly beautiful cathedral according to its sheer size and liberal use of gold mosaic tiles. Still, as I discussed with Anna Bradley-Webb, it is difficult to rectify the financial cost of such a project when the church’s mission is inherently to serve the people (particularly the poor and downtrodden). If all of these resources were diverted to the community, undoubtedly such a feat of architecture would never have been created. Still, one must not remain oblivious to what such a project truly requires.
