When you visit Palermo’s Cathedral, be sure to go around to the north side of it, pictured. To me, the back side posesses the most beautiful architectural elements of the mishmash of styles that make up this temple dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. The inlaid lava stone designs (AKA intarsias) are from the original Arab-Norman structure built by Walter of the Mill, King William II’s ward and tutor who became archibishop of Palermo at the end of the 12th century.