CEFALU’ private tour: Great norman town with outstanding and stunning Byzantine mosaics

The guided tour of Cefalù, near Palermo and the Madonie Park, begins by discovering the ancient Jewish quarter, just outside the historic center of the town, where there are still traces of the Jews who populated this area for almost 200 years.

History and tradition mix with architecture and buildings now inhabited more by fishermen, given the proximity to the sea and the ancient Porta Giudecca gate, through which you entered the neighborhood. From here, where you can admire the lighthouse, we continue our walk through the suggestive Sicilian alleys until we reach the small fishing port, framed by the ancient medieval Porta Pescara gate. This enchanting place with the colorful fishing boats has been chosen as a film set for important films such as New Cinema Paradiso and the latest Indiana Jones 5.

The tour continues with a visit to the medieval wash house, in the atrium of Palazzo Martino, once a wash house. public with a lava stone staircase and a series of basins where the waters flow from mouths in the shape of a lion’s head with supports that were used to rub clothes.

Exploring the town you can admire the Palazzo Mandralisca externally which houses the museum famous for Byzantine icons and the portrait of the Unknown painted by Antonello da Messina. The tour ends with a visit to the most beautiful jewel of Cefalù, its Cathedral, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Basilica of the Transfiguration, in Norman style enriched by Arab influences, amazes with its imposing facade with a marble portal and two towers on the sides that represent one the power of the Church with a square plan and the other the power of the Kings and the nobility  with octagonal plan.

Inside the cathedral we will visit the Christ Pantocrator overlooking the apse facing the many faithful who flock to the Basilica to admire its splendor, surrounded by bright gold mosaics and paintings on a golden background in the Byzantine style.

Included:

• Walking tour with licensed tour guide

Not included:

• Food and drinks
• Museum tickets (optional)
• Transfer service

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• Sun hat on hot days

Meeting point:

• Piazza Duomo square (outside the cathedral)