Palermo Monreale
Duration 8 hours approxStarting From 300 € per person
Explore Palermo and Monreale.
Palermo
Palermo is a city with a rich history that spans from its Greek and Roman origins to its time as an Arab capital, and later under Norman and Swabian rule. Today, Palermo is a place where the Arab and Norman heritage, Baroque and Liberty styles of monuments, buildings, theaters, gardens, and markets all coexist.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily. The Palermo Cathedral, built in the 12th century, houses royal tombs, while the imposing neoclassical Teatro Massimo is famous for its opera performances. In the city center, you’ll find the Palazzo dei Normanni, a royal palace from the 9th century, and the Palatine Chapel, known for its Byzantine mosaics. Among the bustling markets are the central street market Ballarò and the Vucciria, located near the port.
The Palazzo dei Normanni, originally an Arab building, has always been the seat of power and houses the Palatine Chapel. Piazza della Pretoria is home to the 17th-century City Hall with a magnificent 16th-century fountain consisting of 644 marble groups. The Vucciria is the oldest and most vibrant market in the city, located in Piazza San Domenico, where the church of the same name stands, one of the most interesting Baroque buildings in the city. Another Norman building is the deconsecrated church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, with its Eastern-style red domes, built on the foundations of an ancient mosque. The neoclassical Teatro Massimo is a temple of opera, while in Piazza Politeama is the other city theater, the Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, built in the mid-19th century in Pompeian style. The Botanical Garden, founded in 1789, is famous for its specimens from around the world. Further from the center are the Zisa and the Cuba in Corso Calatafimi, Eastern-style buildings dating back to the reign of William II.
Monreale
Monreale was founded by the Normans around the 11th century. Near the Norman city was an ancient Arab village called Balharā, located at the foot of Mount Caputo at 310 meters above sea level. The most representative building in Monreale is the Cathedral, constructed under the direction of William II between 1172 and 1176. This monument, known and appreciated worldwide, features a composite style that blends elements of Northern European architecture with Arab art. The Monreale Cathedral is deserving of great attention as it is truly one of the most beautiful temples in the world. After Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it is the largest example of Byzantine mosaic in existence. The word “mosaic” comes from Greek and means “patient work, worthy of the Muses”. The 6,400 square meters of mosaics artistically depict the story of human salvation, from creation to the final judgment. Notable details include the magnificent portal, the porphyry sarcophagus of William I, and the marble sarcophagus of William II the Good; the thrones that welcomed the king and bishop; and the 19th-century tombs where the remains of Margaret of Navarre and Sicily, wife of William I, and their sons Roger and Henry are interred.
Excursion Details:
- Duration: About 8 hours.
- Price: Includes up to 3 participants. Additional participants, see booking form prices.
- Notes: Meals, entrance tickets, and guides are not included.
- Booking: Book directly using the form by selecting date, time, and participants.
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