Monreale & Saints

Today, Claudio and I  hopped on his scooter again and headed to Monreale, which features a cathedral that is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. 

Enter, or don't enter?

In 831, the Arabs took control of Palermo.  The cathedral was turned into a mosque and the Bishop of Palermo was banished from town.  The bishop didn't want to go too far from his cathedral, so he settled in the hills Monreale overlooking Palermo where he built a modest church.

In 1072, the Normans drove the Arabs from Sicily, and in 1174, William II employed the very best Byzantine, Arabic and Norman craftsmen to work on the cathedral.The result is a fabulous fusion of architectural styles, artistic traditions and religious symbolism.

The Cathedral of Monreale from the town square

The beautiful mosaics inside the cathedral.

Nave of the Virgin Mary

The Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

I thought this was an interesting tree with its pods, fruit, and flowers.

Tall palms along the side of the cathedral.

View of Palermo

Cute butterfly

Yet another view of Palermo

 

We strolled around the property, and then took some time out to relax with some gelato, before hopping back on the bike and driving the the other side of Monte Pellegrino where we would fond the cave of Santa Rosalia.  But first-

A stop at the market to buy some fresh ricotta for tonight's dinner.

Ricotta so fresh, it's like cream.

And some fresh grapes and tomatoes.

Santa Rosalia was born of a Norman noble family that claimed decent from Charlemagne.  She was devoutly religious, and was said to have been led to a cave on Monte Pellegrino by two angels in 1159 where  she lived her life as a hermit and died alone in 1166. 

On the cave wall she wrote "I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ."

In 1624, a horrible plague struck Palermo, and during this hardship St. Rosalia appeared first to a sick woman, then to a hunter to whom she indicated where her remains could be found.  She ordered him to bring her bones to Palermo and then have them carried in procession through the city. After this task was completed, the plague ceased.

The Bay of Palermo

Views of Palermo and the Golden Shell Valley from Monte Pellegrino

The entrance to the cave.

On the ceiling, you can see a series of spider-webbed metalwork.  It is designed for drainage and it is considered good luck to be dripped on because the water is supposed to be miraculous.

Her dress is made of gold.

Me, Claudio & scooter.

The Tyrrhenian Sea.

These clouds grew in a matter of seconds.  Here is a round rainbow.

Fresh ricotta pasta dinner.

The next day, I basically hung out in the B & B trying to figure out a plan to get to Licata.  That evening, we headed out to dinner.  There are some West Africans around trying to sell their wares. After a bit of haggling,  I bought a nice wooden statue from Senegal.