Monreal by Krists Renāts Mucenieks https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd Sicilian hill-town famous for its mosaic-filled cathedral en-us 2019-03-25 21:20:03 UTC 2025-06-09 14:26:46 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Optimplaces.png About Monreale. lvnegativ https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345028808 Monreale is a historic hill-town just outside Palermo.It's a picturesque place most famous for the fine mosaics in the town's great Norman cathedral. Monreale is connected to Palermo by regular city buses and is an easy short excursion from the city centre. Although it only takes a couple of hours to visit and see Monreale from Palermo, there are places to eat and drink, good views and a pleasant atmosphere, so some visitors choose to extend their stay.]]> 2019-03-25 21:40:59 UTC https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345028808 About the cathedral. lvnegativ https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345028925 The cathedral and cloisters at Monreale are frequently cited as the island's greatest Norman buildings. They date to the twelfth century.The upper part of the cathedral's interior is completely covered in gleaming gold mosaics; more than 6,000 square metres of mosaic. They were almost certainly created by Byzantine craftsmen, and the combination of Norman, Byzantine and Islamic art and architecture here is a spectacular demonstration of the influences which created Sicily's most glorious era.]]> 2019-03-25 21:41:36 UTC https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345028925 Schedule of cathedral. lvnegativ https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345030146 The cathedral closes for several hours over lunch time in winter, and you should not tour while mass is taking place. The opening times are subject to variation, as a rule of thumb you are most likely to find the cathedral open between 8am and 12 noon, and from 4pm to 6pm.Note that it is considered disrespectful to enter a church in Italy with exposed chest, shoulders, or knees - this includes shorts and strappy tops - and in addition to giving offence you may be refused admission.]]> 2019-03-25 21:48:12 UTC https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345030146 Cloisters (chiostro) of the Benedictine monastery. lvnegativ https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345030542 Next door to the Duomo is an entrance to the cloisters (chiostro) of the Benedictine monastery, also dating to the end of the twelfth century. It is worth paying the admission charge (free to EU over-65s) to visit this sight while you're in Monreale. The large quadrangle is lined with more than 200 twin columns, many of them fancily ornamented with mosaic or sculpture. The capitals of the columns are finely carved with sculptures, some inspired by the Bible but frequently enigmatic.]]> 2019-03-25 21:50:03 UTC https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345030542 More about Monreale. lvnegativ https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345031431 Monreale is a great place to get views of the Conca d'Oro, the fertile valley in which Palermo grew. The bus ride up and down the hill is very panoramic, and there are belvederes in the town with excellent views over Palermo and out to sea. On a clear day you can see the Aeolian Islands. Modern Palermo stretches up the slopes towards Monreale, without quite reaching the self-contained little town.]]> 2019-03-25 21:54:44 UTC https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345031431 Little information. lvnegativ https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345031949 Monreale is a major tourist destination and can get very busy. However, if you stay in the town towards evening, when the coachloads depart and locals appear for the Monreale passeggiata, with teenagers promenading in their finery and families stopping to chat, you'll feel a long way from the cosmopolitan world of Palermo below.
There are a few cafe-bars and restaurants around the cathedral, and you can find more places to eat and drink by wandering along the narrow sloping lanes of the town. Some of the little tourist shops and stalls just a street away from the cathedral sell cheap and good-quality souvenirs, if you look carefully.
]]> 2019-03-25 21:57:46 UTC https://padlet.com/lvnegativ/q3r4o2omr9xd/wish/345031949