The cathedral and the cloister of monreale were part of a self sufficient and fortified complex on the slopes of mount caputo visit the cathedral of monreale once part of a self sufficient fortified complex that included a royal palace an episcopate and an abbey situated on the slopes of mount caputo the complex of monreale was surrounded by crenellated walls interspersed with defensive towers and embellished with geometric marquetry that could be seen from the conca doro below