Monreale

Carrubella Park Hotel ***

Situated at 310 meters altitude, Monreale is 5 km away from the historical center of Palermo. The well-known Conca d’Oro is surrounded by orchards and citrus groves and is famous for valuable handicrafts as ceramics, mosaics, woodworks, and ironworks.

It can be reached from Palermo taking Corso Calatafimi, which leads to a panoramic road where the visitors can admire the Fisherman Fountain (1768) and the Dragon Fountain (1767), both made by I. Marabitti.

The Cathedral (12^th century), built by King William the 2^nd, is one of the most famous monuments in the world. Here you can admire the Regum Gate (B. Pisano), the Byzantine mosaics, the treasury, the Chapel of the Crucifix and the St. Benedetto Chapel (1568). 

The Cloister (12^th century) next to the Cathedral is a square construction with 228 columns surmounted by capitals and decorated with various materials and motifs. Other important buildings are: the "del Monte" Church (1709-1712), decorated with stuccos made by Serpotta; the Collegiate Church (17^th century); the  Madonna of the Crosses Church (18^th century); the College of Maria; the "Odigitria" Church, and the St. Castrenze Church. 

Inside the "Belvedere" you can visit the Civic Gallery of Modern Art.

Besides Palermo, you can easily reach other interesting places, such as:

S. Martino delle Scale, the Castellaccio, the archaeological area of Monte Jato, Piana degli Albanesi, Segesta, Cefalù, Bagheria and Mondello.