Cathedral - Mosaic

In the choir the side walls are embellished with ornamental plasterwork and there are also 15th century statues depicting the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Michael. It is, however, the gold ground mosaics which attract the gaze. They form part of the cathedral's original fittings and have been retained in the chancel (except for the edging round the plinth). They are the work of Byzantine artists whom Roger II took into his service. Dominating the others is the mosaic of Christ giving the blessing as ruler of the world (Pantocrator), which is in the semi-circular dome of the apse. The semi-circle lying underneath this is divided into four sections. In the uppermost one can be seen Mary standing in prayer between the Archangels Raphael and Michael, Gabriel and Uriel. In the third (to the sides of the central window) we see Peter and Paul, patron saints of the Norman royal house, between the four evangelists, and among them other apostles.