The town of Monreale, Sicily is just a 30 minute bus ride (15 km) south of Palermo and it is famous for its Cathedral.
Located on Monte Caputo, its streets are uphill, making for a picturesque view of the valley bellow, called “La Conca d’Oro” (The Golden Shell).
The Cathedral of Monreale is a national monument of Italy and a great example of Norman architecture. The church was built in 1174 by William II and elevated to the rank of metropolitan cathedral by Pope Lucius III in 1182.
The marble capitals are carved with biblical scenes and no two are alike. The plan is a mixture of Roman Catholic and Eastern Rite, like two churches put end to end together. There is also evidence of work done by Muslim sculptors in the marble fountain here.
As I am neither historian nor art major, for more information with pictures on the Cathedral in Monreale I recommend the site SicilyTourist.
On the practical side of the matter of getting to Monreale from Palermo with the bus, I advise checking the schedule first and keeping in mind that the Cathedral is generally open from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm (10:00 am on Sundays and Holidays) and again from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm (schedule in November 2013).
The bus that goes directly to Monreale is with the company AST and it has the name of the town written up front. In the bus station you will find the bus schedule on a metal post. The station is in Corso Calatafimi, at the corner with the small street of Via Barrile (by the Piazza Indipendenza, close to Palazzo Dei Normanni). The tickets are purchased in the bus. I think I paid 3 Euro for a round trip ticket. When you get there it is advisable to check the schedule for the return buses. It is posted on the post of the bus station. There are not that many buses out of season and they do not wait. I learned that the hard way for being just 2 minutes late. I had to spend another 90 minutes in town, but it turned out good as I then had more time to visit the church and also to climb the Terrazze del Duomo. Certainly a 2 euro worth spending! What a wonderful view of the gardens of the Benedictine monastery. And climbing higher, what a magnificent view of “La Conca d’Oro”!
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