The Norman Heritage
Monreale & Cefalù
William II (1154-89), the Norman ruler of Sicily, commissioned the Monastery of Monreale. It combines in one project employment of both Sicilian and Byzantine craftsmen. Discover the highlights of the Cathedral and its interior with a local Guide Driver. It appears incandescent with the gold of the mosaics. In fact they cover the walls of the nave, aisles furthermore the transept and apse. 81800 square feet in total.
from Palermo
Pick up at your hotel by your private Guide Driver. Next board a Premium Mercedes Minivan for a short drive (30min) out of town south of Palermo.
Monreale
Find the apotheosis of Norman architecture in MONREALE. The Cathedral with its splendid mosaics from the 12th century. It is part of the World Heritage Arab Norman Period built under William II. It also rivals Saint Sophia in Istanbul and Saint Mark’s in Venice in its use of decorative mosaics. While it is Romanesque in overall style, the cathedral combines aspects of Arab, in addition to Byzantine and Norman architecture.
Cefalù
Heading east along the beautiful north coast to an enchanting area covered with many woodland areas. We’ll reach the picturesque town CEFALU’, once a typical fishing village. During a stroll through the characteristic streets visit the medieval washhouse. Obviously You can’t miss the mosaic-adorned Norman Cathedral from the 12th Century. We’ll stop for a lunch break or just for a gelato in the pleasant town center.
Drop off at your hotel
The sturdy Norman lines of Cefalù’s Cathedral, 12th century Arab-Norman monument (World Heritage Site), are softened by palm trees. Tourist’s shirts are filling the city hall piazza before it. The two towers of the wonderful old cathedral stand high over the roofs of the town. The great rock characterizing the landscape is called la “Rocca”. Dominating all in the apse is the great golden mosaic of the Christ Pantocrator. It has often been described as unsurpassed by any other representation of Christ.
