In a stunning revival, Italy’s largest medieval mosaics have been restored to their former glory at the Unesco World Heritage site of Monreale cathedral.
Restoration of Italy‘s Largest Medieval Mosaics Unveils Pure Beauty
The Monreale cathedral, a lesser-known gem of Italian art, has undergone extensive restoration to bring back its former glory. This Unesco World Heritage site boasts Italy’s largest Byzantine-style mosaics, second in the world only to those of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
A Masterpiece of Byzantine Art
The Monreale mosaics were meant to impress, humble, and inspire visitors who walked down the central nave. They span over 6,400 sq m and contain about 2.2kg of solid gold. In Byzantine art, gold symbolizes the divine. The restoration process lasted over a year, with local experts from the Italian Ministry of Culture leading a series of interventions.
The Restoration Process
The team approached this work almost on their tiptoes, says Father Nicola Gaglio, who has been a priest at Monreale for 17 years and closely followed the restoration. The process involved removing a thick layer of dust that had accumulated on the mosaics over the years, repairing tiles that had lost their enamel and gold leaf, and securing areas where the tiles were peeling off the wall.
A New Lighting System
The old lighting system was replaced with a new one, which not only improved the energy efficiency but also highlighted the beauty of the mosaics. The main challenge was to create a system that would answer to the various needs of the cathedral and could be replaced in 10 or 15 years without damaging the building.
A Second Restoration Planned
The first tranche of works cost 1.1 million euros, and a second restoration is being planned next, focusing on the central nave. When asked what it was like to see the scaffolding finally come off and the mosaics shine in their new light, Father Gaglio laughed and shrugged. “When you see it, you’re overwhelmed with awe and you can’t really think of anything. It’s pure beauty,” he says.
