'It's pure beauty' - Italy's largest medieval mosaics restored

The Monreale cathedral, located on a hill that overlooks the city of Palermo in Sicily, is a remarkable piece of Italian art and history. Built in the 12th century during the Norman rule, this cathedral is home to the largest Byzantine-style mosaics in Italy, second only to the famous mosaics of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. In 2015, it was designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site, highlighting its significance to the world. Recently, the cathedral underwent a major restoration to restore its former glory. The mosaics of Monreale were designed to impress and inspire visitors, following the artistic style of Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. These stunning mosaics cover an area of over 6,400 square meters and contain approximately 2. 2 kilograms of solid gold, which in Byzantine art symbolizes the divine. The restoration process lasted more than a year, transforming the cathedral into a bustling construction site filled with scaffolding. Local experts from the Italian Ministry of Culture led the restoration efforts, beginning with the removal of a thick layer of dust that had accumulated on the mosaics over the years. They also repaired tiles that had lost their enamel and gold leaf, which had created unsightly black spots. Additionally, they addressed areas where tiles were peeling off the walls, ensuring they were securely attached. Father Nicola Gaglio, a priest who has served at the cathedral for 17 years, closely monitored the restoration process. He described the work as a significant responsibility, likening his role to that of a concerned father. He noted that the team approached their work with great care, often having to pause to address unforeseen issues. For instance, when they examined the ceiling, they discovered it had been covered with a yellowish varnish that needed to be removed. The last restoration of the mosaics took place in 1978, but this recent effort was much more extensive. It included the replacement of the outdated lighting system, which was dim and costly to operate. Matteo Cundari, the Country Manager of the company responsible for the new lighting, explained that their goal was to enhance the visibility of the mosaics while creating a system that could be easily replaced in the future without causing damage to the cathedral. The first phase of the restoration cost 1. 1 million euros, and plans for a second phase focusing on the central nave are already in the works. When the scaffolding was finally removed, Father Gaglio expressed his overwhelming sense of awe. He stated, 'When you see it, you're overwhelmed with awe and you can't really think of anything. It's pure beauty. ' He emphasized the importance of preserving such a world heritage site, as it serves as a reminder of the beauty and goodness inherent in humanity.