Five days is enough to get a “feel” of a city, so when I was in Palermo I felt the need to take a short break and see a new town. I packed a small picnic box of 2 arancini (fried stuffed rice balls) and fruits and decided to visit Monreale.
A DAY TRIP TO MONREALE
In about 15 minutes I was in the sleepy town where it was unfortunately almost closing time for the day as it was lunch time! Not a great decision on my part to visit at lunch hours. Anyhow, I took advantage to see the much talked about Duomo di Monreale (Monreale Cathedral). Built in 1174, the cathedral contains golden mosaics along with tombs and crypts of the Normans. It is considered to be one of the greatest living example of Norman art and architecture.
I now know why! The interior and exterior both were breathtaking! One of the ladies mentioned how Monreale’s cathedral was one of the most popular places to visit in Sicily, and is in fact considered the greatest monuments of Italy!
The Cathedral was awe inspiring work, those mosaics have to be seen! After visiting the cathedral, I found a quaint Osteria where there was space for a long lazy lunch!
Monreale’s visit was only this but turned out to be a good getaway from the bustling Palermo. If you go to Monreale’s public garden, you can get a gorgeous view of Palermo and the sea.
How to Reach:
Reaching Monreale is very simple. Fly into Palermo from any of the big cities in Italy and take a bus from Palermo’s Piazza Indipendenza. One side ticket costs EUR 1.5.
Where to Stay:
Consider booking your stay through Visit Palermo– a tourism company run by locals.
We also enjoyed a few hours in Monreale. The cathedral is incredible.
I hope we weren’t there on the same day 🙁 😉 Yes it is!
Wow!! Great pictures. Looks like my kind of place. xo
Thank you Darlene 🙂
You should also spend time in the cloister. All the pillars are different.
I am back home now 🙂 yes they were
Sicily is on my bucket list and this looks like a very interesting place.
Indeed. . Palermo is cheaper than most Italian cities 🙂
Do you take the train over the ferry or fly?
The train 🙂 but I flew from Puglia to Palermo
I have always wanted to take the train where they load it onto the ferry and reassemble it on the other side.
I’ve never done that. Where can I do it in Italy?
The main line south to Sicily. It stops at the toe of the boot and is put on the ferry over to Siciy
Next time 🙂 grazie!
I have always wanted to visit Monreale, thanks for giving me an extra push!
Yay. Glad I could help 🙂
that’s a cheap bus ride for a nice visit:)
Very cheap. I’d recommend to go for that;)
I went on the hop on hop off bus, I sat up top and coming back to Palermo on the top deck with no roof, a rising full moon and pink streaked sky from the sunset was simply magic. Monreale is like breathing out after the frenetic energy of Palermo isn’t it.
Your description is beautiful. I feel as I’m there. It is.
Lovely
Thanks babe 🙂
Gorgeous photos – I have never been to Sicily – very short responses as I have a lot of catching up to do – and…..I forget to pack the book that you recommended and I brought especially to bring – it is waiting for me at home xxx
Yay I’m happy you liked my recommendation and bought it too 🙂 happy reading and thank you for the lovely comments. Xo
Just to let you know I’m OK, we were twenty mms from epicenter and felt the earthquake quite strong, but am safe in France now – so so sad xx
Oh god. Thank God for that 🙁 but yes .. I’m deeply heartbroken seeing the news every time.
Monreale cathedral is indeed wonderful. One can just sit and look at the great Christ Pantokrator for ages. Also the combination of Byzantine and Western art is impressive and bears witness to the tolerant and inclusive attitude of Sicily’s Norman rulers. Try John Julius Norwich’s history of the Normans in Sicily. It is a bit heavy going but got me turned on to Sicily.
It indeed is. I needed a lil break from history at the time I was in Monreale. But oh I was wrong 😉