Monreale Cathedral
Duomo di Monreale
Built in the 12th century by Norman king William II, with about 6,400 square metres of gold mosaics covering the entire church. It is the peak of Byzantine mosaic art.
Monreale sits on a hillside about 8 km southwest of Palermo. Norman king William II began the cathedral in 1174. Its exterior is plain, but the interior is completely covered by about 6,400 square metres of mosaics, made with some 2,200 kg of gold. They tell Bible stories from Genesis to the New Testament. The giant Christ Pantocrator in the apse is 7 m tall. It represents the highest achievement of Byzantine art in the West, and together with Palermo's Arab-Norman buildings, it is a World Heritage Site.
Entry to the church is free or charges a small fee. The cloister (Chiostro) requires a separate ticket of about €6. Its 228 pairs of colourful mosaic columns are all different, and they are the finest achievement of Norman sculpture. You can also pay to climb to the roof terrace for views over the church courtyard and the Conca d'Oro plain and Palermo Bay.
Getting there: bus 389 from Piazza Indipendenza in Palermo takes about 40 minutes, or you can join a half-day tour. Driving the mountain road involves many bends, and parking in town is tight.
Dress appropriately. The church closes from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Arrive around 9 a.m. to avoid tour groups. On the way back, you can have lunch at a restaurant in town, where prices are lower than in Palermo.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat 9:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 2:30–5:00 p.m.; Sun 8:30–9:45 a.m. and 2:30–5:00 p.m.
Nearby sights
- Capuchin Catacombs
- La Zisa
- Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina
- San Giovanni degli Eremiti
- Palermo Historic Centre
- Mercato del Capo
- Ballarò Market
- Teatro Massimo