Those who come to Sicily can not help but visit Palermo, and those who come to Palermo, can't ; ograve; do not go to Monreale which, moreover, is only 7 km from Palermo. The main attraction of this small town is the cathedral, beautiful to take your breath away, but also the road itself that leads to the destination offers unforgettable emotions and views .

The road that leads to Monreale starts from the sea, to the Cala — the ancient port of Palermo. Later he crosses the capital, continues for the famous Corso Calatafimi and leaving the city climbs between hairpin bends and splendid glimpses of the valley called the “Conca d & ; #39; gold'.

Definitely, the road that leads to Monreale already has something special in itself and, in my opinion, it is also a mandatory stage. Dating back to the Baroque period, it was decorated with scenic marble fountains that had to offer some refreshments to the Palermo aristocracy who climbed in a carriage to Monreale.

The cathedral, erected by King William II, is an example of Norman architecture, but there is an undeniable Arab and Byzantine influence. The cathedral amazes with its richness: mosaics, frescoes and the silhouette. The interior dazzles with gold background mosaics and the exterior leaves breathless for the refined stone shapes and decorations.

The Benedictine cloister located to the right of the facade of the Duomo is quite different. The columns that frame the cloister bear an Arabic style imprint, but after the sumptuousness of the Duomo, the visitor has a little relief thanks to the simplicity of the #39; architecture and the presence of greenery and water.

The cloister seems far from the confusion that reigns around the Duomo, and it is not difficult to imagine what this place should have been like at the time of William II.