If the 68,000 square feet of mosaic tiles on the walls of Monreale Cathedral don’t mesmerize you, perhaps the floor-designs will! Created by Byzantine-Arab-Norman craftsmen in the late 12th century, William II’s temple offers endless inspiration.

The red stone is called red porphyry. The ancient emperors associated it with power during the Roman Empire. It is found in similar mosaic designs throughout the Arab-Norman UNESCO-recognized sites.

Be inspired on Day 10 of our May 2018 Myths & Mysteries of Sicily tour and Day 9 of our June 2018 Ancient Italy: A Cultural Journey Through Campania and Sicily tour. Reserve your spot for any of our 2018 tours by Nov. 1, and you could save up to $400/person! Learn more at ExperienceSicily.com.