About
Monreale Cathedral, also known as the Duomo di Monreale or the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova, stands in the hilltop town of Monreale, a short distance from Palermo in Sicily. Its address is Piazza Guglielmo II, 90046 Monreale, and the cathedral can be reached by a short journey from the island's capital.
What to expect inside
The cathedral is a Norman building, and it is best known for its interior mosaics. They cover more than 6,000 square metres and show scenes from the Bible, set against a rich ground of gold. Visitors who enjoy medieval art will find that the surfaces reward a slow walk around the nave and the apse, where the figures and narrative panels can be studied at close range.
Planning your visit
- Allow time to look up at the mosaics, which are the main reason people come.
- Monreale is a small town, so the cathedral is easy to combine with a wider day trip into the Sicilian countryside.
- For current arrangements, you can call the cathedral on +39 091 640 4403 before you travel.
The town around it
The cathedral sits at the centre of Monreale, and the piazza in front of it is a pleasant place to pause. The town's hillside position also gives it views over the surrounding landscape, which makes it a good complement to a visit to Palermo below.