Palermo: The Byzantine mosaics of the cathedral have been restored

Now, after extensive restoration work, this monumental UNESCO World Heritage site has regained its former glory.

The mosaics of Monreale, covering an impressive area of 6,400 square meters and containing 2.2 kilograms of pure gold, were designed to inspire awe and impress visitors. Following the Byzantine tradition of Constantinople, they leave anyone walking through the central church of Sicily’s capital in awe.

The recent restoration, which lasted over a year, was carried out by specialists from Italy’s Ministry of Culture. The project turned the cathedral into a dynamic construction site, with scaffolding covering the sanctuary and the transept. The work included removing decades of accumulated dust from the mosaics, repairing tiles that had lost their enamel and gold coating, and stabilizing areas where tiles had detached from the walls.

Father Nicola Gallio, the cathedral’s priest for 17 years, closely followed the restoration, describing his anxiety as that of a worried father. “The team approached the project with complete respect and attention,” he told the BBC. They faced unforeseen issues, such as a layer of varnish on the ceiling that had yellowed over time and had to be carefully removed, as if peeling off a membrane.