UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015
It was founded by Ruggero II in 1142, about 900 years ago. During the most splendid years of the Norman domination, the annexed monastery was the richest and most privileged Sicilian convent.
The church, now deconsecrated, is very small and it doesn’t have elements of particular importance inside, apart from traces of tiles, mosaics and frescoes and the stalactite ceiling of the mosque on which it was built. What is really fascinating is the exterior of the building.
The five red domes are what first impresses the visitor, a very important element of several Arab-Norman buildings.
And then the garden: the building is surrounded by greenery and colours of citrus trees, agaves, bougainvillea, roses, pomegranates and tall flowering shrubs. The lush plants climbing up the walls undermine the white columns of the small cloister and they stun with their scent.
It is one of the most important monuments of Norman Palermo, often chosen as a symbol of the city.
http://www.visitsicily.info/en/palermo-arabo-normanna-e-le-cattedrali-di-cefalu-e-monreale/
http://unescosicilia.it/wp/project/arab-norman-palermo/?lang=en
