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One night in 1171, King William II, known as “the Good,” was resting from the burdens of war and governance, as was customary for Norman kings, in an ancient Arab village called Balharā. In a dream, the Virgin Mary appeared to him and revealed the location of an immense treasure—a war booty hidden by his father, William I, known as “the Bad.” She i...

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The Monreale Cathedral in Sicily, constructed between 1174 and 1189 under King William II, is renowned for its vast Byzantine-style mosaics, covering over 6,400 square meters and containing approximately 2.2 kilograms of pure gold. These mosaics, among the largest in Italy, have recently undergone extensive restoration to return them to their origi...

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The mosaics of a mediaeval cathedral in Sicily, built by the island's last Norman king, are set to regain their golden lustre thanks to careful restoration work and new lighting. The Monreale Cathedral, erected in 1174–89 near Palermo on the orders of King William II, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that combines Western, Islamic and Byzantine styl...

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Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, is a city of indescribable charm. Its streets are a mosaic of different eras: Arab-Norman architecture blends with Baroque buildings and Byzantine churches, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. But Sicily is a multifaceted island, and beyond Palermo lie hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. A...

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