In 1588, the Historia della chiesa di Monreale (History of the Church of Monreale) by Giovan Luigi Lello was printed in Rome. It is a detailed essay on the history and architecture of the Monreale Cathedral, which also includes references to the context and the Benedictine order to which the complex was entrusted. The volume was printed again in 1596 and, in Palermo, in 1702 by Michele del Giudice under the title Descrizione del real tempio e monastero di Santa Maria la Nuova di Monreale (Description of the royal temple and monastery of Santa Maria la Nuova in Monreale), now containing numerous historical and artistic additions.
