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From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip
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Much like Assisi, Monreale is one of those towns that tourists immediately associate with a church.
Why be surprised? The Monreale Cathedral is an unrivalled architectural marvel, a genuine masterpiece of art capable of captivating even the most convinced atheist with its majesty and sacredness. This small town just a few kilometres from Palermo is considered by all to be an essential stop on any trip to Sicily.
Let yourself be enchanted by the Byzantine mosaics executed with supreme mastery, by the impressive façade that dominates the town centre with its beauty, by the Arab and Baroque decorations, and by the stories and legends behind why this truly unique church was built.
Once you’ve seen the cathedral, don’t leave Monreale: you can stop at a pastry shop for a cake or ice cream, visit a restaurant for a traditional dinner, enjoy the cool shade in the public gardens or climb to the top of a hill to take in the views.
The magnificent Monreale Cathedral, unanimously considered the architectural masterpiece of the Norman period and one of the highest expressions of Italian medieval art, was built by order of Sicily’s King William II.
According to one legend, the king wished to build a church following an apparition of the Virgin Mary; according to another theory, the cathedral’s construction was due to a far less noble reason – William II’s desire to rival the Palermo Cathedral to assert his superiority.
Another story, with a tragic ending, tells of a competition between two brother architects, one responsible for the Monreale cathedral project and the other for Palermo’s cathedral: both took their own lives, feeling defeated in the face of their rival church’s magnificence.
Whatever the origins, construction began in 1174 and was completed roughly ten years later; over the centuries, extensions and renovations have taken place.
A visit to Monreale Cathedral is the typical day trip to make whilst on holiday in Palermo. With a guided tour, you’ll make the most of your time and have a knowledgeable guide to explain the history of this splendid church.
Even from the outside, Monreale Cathedral is a grand sight that leaves visitors speechless. Its impressive bell towers of square form, one taller than the other, rise majestically into Palermo’s azure sky.
Between the two towers stands the 18th-century marble portico, decorated with interlocking pointed arches and polychrome inlays: it was built to replace the original one that had collapsed.
Set within this portico is a bronze doorway from 1185, though this is no longer where visitors enter the church: today the faithful enter through a smaller door along the north façade.
Although the main façade is magnificent, don’t just look at the front of the church: walk around it and admire the rear as well, a wonderful example of Arab art.
The cathedral’s interior is vast and solemn: stretching 102 metres, it has a Latin cross basilica plan with three naves that culminate in three apses.
The magnificent central nave is three times the size of the side naves and is separated from them by two rows of nine columns. An interesting detail: all the columns, in Corinthian style, are made of grey granite except for one, which is cipollino marble, a lower-quality material; this choice is due to religious symbolism.
During your visit to the cathedral’s interior, besides the famous mosaics, pay attention also to:
The Byzantine mosaics are the true marvel of Monreale Cathedral, an artistic work of such beauty and value that it takes visitors’ breath away.
You will rarely see such beautiful mosaics: Monreale Cathedral is indeed one of the most important Byzantine mosaic works in existence worldwide, alongside the Church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Arranged in a precise order to tell a story of profound religious significance to the congregation gathered in prayer, the mosaics cover an area of over 6,000 square metres: the story told is that of human salvation, from creation to the Last Judgement.
The culmination of the representation, and the mosaic of greatest expressive power, is the Christ Pantocrator in the central apse, which symbolically represents the centre towards which all people should aspire.
The mosaic decoration of Monreale Cathedral is the most extensive in Italy and was executed in the late 1100s by a team of Byzantine mosaicists assisted by artists from other schools.
Once you’ve finished your visit to the Cathedral, take a look at the Benedictine Convent cloister, another fine example of Byzantine architecture.
Built in the late 1100s, it has a square form measuring 47×47 metres and is embellished by a series of arches supported by over 200 columns decorated in relief with motifs of animals, flowers and leaves. At the centre of the cloister is an ornamental fountain with a small column shaped like a palm trunk from which water flows.
The entrance to the cloister is found to the right of the cathedral’s façade in Piazza Guglielmo I.
Most tourists come to Monreale from Palermo solely to visit the Cathedral. Certainly that’s reason enough to come here, but while you’re here why not stay a bit longer and have a look at what else the town has to offer?
The central Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, which overlooks the famous cathedral, as well as the town hall, is perfect for a stroll, sitting on benches to watch passers-by or having a coffee whilst admiring the marble Triton fountain, a work by Mario Rutelli.
A lovely town garden is the Belvedere, a terraced park with wonderful views over the Conca d’Oro and the city of Palermo.
To enjoy a fine panorama over Monreale, head instead to the hamlet of San Martino le Scale, on a hilltop over 500 metres high. You can enjoy the cool of the woods and visit a 13th-century Benedictine monastery.
Monreale is also home to Aquapark, Sicily’s largest water park with 22,000 square metres of pools and water slides: while you’re here…
Right opposite the famous cathedral in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is the entrance to the Monreale caves, natural cavities within which you can hear the flow of underground waters.
Unfortunately, the caves are not open to visitors; they are occasionally opened to the public, usually through guided excursions organised by the local speleological group of the CAI – Club Alpino Italiano section.
Monreale’s most important traditional festival is the Crucifix Festival, held every year on the first three days of May following a nine-day preparation novena.
During the festival days, solemn religious rites take place inside the cathedral, whilst the streets and squares of Monreale fill with stalls and entertainment that culminate in fireworks.
The most moving moment of the festival is the procession that begins in the late afternoon of the last festival day, during which an artistic crucifix is carried from the cathedral through the town centre streets by members of the Crucifix Brotherhood, all dressed in white with a handkerchief on their heads.
If you’re in the area at the beginning of May, don’t miss this traditional festival!
Given its proximity to Palermo, few tourists spend the night in Monreale, preferring instead to stay in Palermo and reach the splendid Cathedral as a day trip. However, if you want to fully experience your visit, choose a hotel or bed and breakfast in a historic building in Monreale’s town centre – you certainly won’t regret it!
It takes very little time to reach Monreale from Palermo by private car as the distance is only 10 kilometres. If you prefer to travel by public transport, you can catch a bus from central Palermo.
What's the weather at Monreale? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Monreale for the next few days.
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