|
VIEWS
|
|||
 |
Monreale lies a short distance from Palermo on the gentle slopes of Monte Caputo, looking towards the outstandingly beautiful Conca D'Oro where there was once a vast and fertile hunting reserve for the aristocratic Arabs and ruling Normans. Crossing the road from Palermo to Monreale is possible admire the Pescatore's fountain (1768) and the Drago's fountain (1767). Over the centuries, the ancien Arab village which a stood high above the Oreto valley, perched on a ledge at a height of 300 metres, grew and developed around the grand cathedral and today Monreale is an attractive small town surrounded by lemon and orange groves. |
||
  |
THE CATHEDRAL The cathedral was built by William II (1174- 1176). Its most distinctive features are the extremely beautiful mosaics which cover the inside walls, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere, and its graceful architectural forms, which chow the Fatimite and Muslim influence common at the time. The upper part of the facade is an exemple of an Arabic recurrent ornamental motif, the interlaced arches, creates a link between two powerful turreted structures. The very beautiful portal is enhanced by a splendid bronze door, the work of Bonanno Pisano, of the second half of the twelfth century. The door is by Barisano da Trani (1179-1186). The exterior of the apse is finely decorated with lava stone inlays and interlaced arches. The interior of the basilica is majestic and solemn. The Latin cross of its plan is divided into three lengthwise by ancient columns with marvellously carved capitals which support ogival arches. The impressive expance of mosaics on a gold ground is the fruit of the patient work of Byzantine and Arab craftsmen during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. |
|
|
THE CLOISTER CHIOSTRO Apart from the cathedral, the buildings of the original monastery still in existence today are the royal palace, now a seminary, the refectory walls and in particular thesplendid cloister flanking the south side of the church. It is enclosed by 228 pairs of columns, which form groups of four in the corners, with fine pointed arches rising from capitals. It is fascinating to note that these elegant columns are all decorated with different designs and materials, from gold to mosaics, from precious stone to lava. |
 |
BAROQUE STYLE The most important monuments in baroque style are: Palazzo Comunale where in the interior is possible admire Adorazione dei pastori of Mattia Stomer and Madonna with St. Francesco of Antonello Gagini; the chiesa del Monte that in the interior is enlivened by stucco decorations by Serpotta; The Collegiata good paintings and wooden sculptures are preserved there; The Church of San Castrenze is also Baroque and possesses an interesting painting by Novelli and stucco ornaments from the Serpotta workshop. |
EXCURSIONS
|
|
PALERMO A large and important city, Palermo opens like a fan out of its picturesque roadstead; above it stand harsh and powerful hills which descend in steps toward the green Conca d'Oro. It is a destination forced for the international tourism. Using the links of this site is possible possession information on the monuments and of the visits city. |
 |
SAN MARTINO DELLE SCALE A village which has become a holyda resort on the spurs of the hills above Monreale and the plain of Palermo. Tha Abbey, dates from the second half of the eighteenth century and was built by Veneziano Marvuglia who enlarged a previously existing Benedictine building erected, according to some sources, by Gregory the Great in the sixth century. In the sixteenth century church we find admirable canvaces by Zoppo di Gangi, Paladino and Pietro Novelli, as well as a fine late sixteenth century wooden choir. |
|
|
MONDELLO A pleasant bathing and residential centre, Mondello enjoys a picturesque situasion facing the bay between Monte Pellegrino and the Monte Gallo. The town itself is practilly part of capital; long, straight roads join it to Palermo. It is rich of cafe, restaurants and entertaiment. |
 |
PIANA DEGLI ALBANESI It is a small town of 6200 inhabitants to 23 kms from Palermo. The foundation of Plain of the Albanian it goes up again at the end of the XV century when following the invasion of the Balkan peninsula from the Ottoman Turks, numerous groups of fugitive Albanian looked for shelter in the near coasts of southern Italy. The date of foundation is August 30 th 1488. The name of these inhabitants is “Pianesi” |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL AREA OF THE “MONTE JATO” The town introduces a splendid panoramic position that spaces on the whole underlying valley. In the archaeological area different belonging structures were found to various historical epoches among which we remember: the Agorà, the Theater, the Temple of Afrodite and the House to peristilio. |
 |
CALATAFIMI It rises in a Hill to 300 meters above the level of the sea. The city is tied up to the battle against the Borbonicis won by Garibaldi during the " Thousand consignment" toward the capital (May 15 th 1860), that was decisive for the enterprise in Sicily. |
 |
SEGESTA This city, founded by the Elymians, was in perpetual conflict with Selinunte and was called by Greek poples Egesta. As an ally of the Carthiginians, it was besieged by the Syracusans who captured it towards the end of the fourth century B.C. Tha ancient city rose on the terraced slopes of Monte Barbaro and seems to have been gradually abandoned after the Roman conquest, being finally destroyed by the Vandals. The zone southeast was residential, while that to north entertained the public buildings, among which the theater. |
 |
ERICE The classical Eryx , this little town is of the great interest to tourist and rises at the top of the mountain of the same name, in a setting with a spectacular landscape and views. It is known that there were already Elymian settlements in the area in the fifth century B.C.; because of its special strategic importance it was the object of recurrent conflicts from ancient times, and in particular of the wars between Greeks and Carthaginians. It was taken by the latter, together with its port of Drepanon. The medieval atmosphere, the fresh air, the beautiful woods that surround it, the calm that reigns you and the local craftsmanship they make it one of the destinations privileged by the tourists. |
|
