Palermo: Monreale
The cathedral of Monreale was built by king William II who wanted it to be a sign of his power and sovereignty - outdoing the existing basilica in which the bishop (Walter of the Mill, an Englishman) resided.
A few years later, the bishop ordered his basilica to be torn down - and a new one to be erected in its place.
In any case, the cloister of Monreale is a beautiful place - and you can spend lots of time examining the architectural details: almost every column has an individual design..