To get the beauty take a medieval village, add a Norman cathedral complete with Byzantine mosaics. Lean against a cliff and put everything in front of the crystal clear sea of Sicily. Welcome to Cefalù.
Among the Sicilian towns that do not require great presentations figure undoubtedly Cefalù: located in the province of Palermo, a medieval seaside village that after the dark period of the Second World War, has rediscovered a great reputation becoming in a short time an international tourist destination.
Fonte: sicilia.info
Cefalù is known all over the world for its crystal clear sea and for the beach services offered, but perhaps not everyone knows that its historic center holds many other secrets to discover!
What to see in Cefalù
Cefalù, about 60 kilometers from Palermo, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015; Arab-Norman elements are the protagonists of its architecture and its traditions and thanks to its beaches, the Norman cathedral and the Madonie Park triples, every year, its tourist population that fills the main streets and squares.
Fonte: wikimedia.org
Here are the steps to include in a travel itinerary in Cefalù:
The Duomo
The Cathedral of Cefalù coincides with the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, a basilica located in the historic center and built following the model of the classic Benedictine basilicas. Its construction began in 1131 and was enriched, over time, with Byzantine mosaics from Constantinople. His consecration, however, took place only in 1267.
La Rocca
The Fortress of Cefalù is located 268 meters above sea level and on its slopes develops the historic center of the village. Along the uphill path you can admire the remains of the Temple of Diana, dating back to the ninth century BC, while in the north was built a metal cross that, at night, lights up and dominates the surrounding landscape.
Fonte: theworldofsicily.com
The Mandralisca Museum
In Cefalù there is only one museum, the Mandralisca Museum, strongly wanted by Baron Enrico Pirajno of Mandralisca; the latter, during his life, has collected number of books, art objects and archaeological finds that, by will, he made available to his city upon his death. The most precious piece is certainly the Portrait of the Unknown Sailor by Antonello da Messina.
Fonte: wikimedia.org
The Medieval Wash House
In the famous Via Vittorio Emanuele there is the Medieval Wash House, composed of a staircase in lava stone that leads to a set of tanks that are filled by water coming from 22 mouths of cast iron (of which 15 heads of lion). Through a small cavern, the accumulated water flows into the sea. Its name comes from the fact that, in the past, bathtubs were used by laundresses to wash clothes.
Fonte: theworldofsicily.com
Porta Pescara
Once, the city walls allowed access through four gates; of these, only one has survived the passage of time, and it is Porta Pescara, named after the viceroy who commissioned the renovation in the sixteenth century. Of great historical importance, it is among the favorite spots for tourists to take pictures and shoot videos.
Fonte: comune.cefalu.pa.it
The Osterio Magno
In the heart of the historic centre stands the Osterio Magno, an ancient palace built in the 12th century by order of Ruggero and later enlarged by the Ventimiglia family. It has a large cistern of Roman times, while its walls date back to the Norman period.
Fonte: qrtour.it
The promenade and the beach of Cefalù
As already mentioned, Cefalù is among the most popular seaside resorts in the world: thanks to its clear waters and its golden beach is, in fact, the ideal destination for anyone, even for families with children. Its coastline is full of beaches, restaurants and shops and, once the sun has set, it leaves room for bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Fonte: wikimedia.org
The beaches of Mazzaforno, Settefrati, Capo Playa and Kalura
For those who love swimming and sunbathing, the promenade is not the only solution, indeed: there are other very interesting beaches to visit. The most important are Mazzaforno, Settefrati and Capo Playa, the latter perfect for those who want to surf, sail and kite; they are followed by the beach of Kalura, composed of gravel and rock spurs, more reserved and ideal for those who want to dive and snorkel.
Fonte: cf.bstatic.com
The Sanctuary of Gibilmanna
The Sanctuary of Gibilmanna is located in the homonymous village: the Church is from the 11th century and was restored between 1619 and 1624, while the Chapel of the Madonna was completed in 1625. The entire complex is located about 800 meters above sea level and is still a destination for pilgrimage and a place of prayer.
Fonte: cefalumadoniehimera.it
The Park of the Madonie
The Madonie Park is an extraordinary regional natural park that involves the Madonie massif, whose peaks reach 2,000 meters above sea level. Inside it is possible to admire more than half of the Sicilian plant species, as well as specimens of birds and mammals typical of the region. But not only, because the most daring can try their hand at trekking and free climbing, or spend a few hours of fun in the various adventure parks.
Fonte: cefalu.it
What to eat in Cefalù
Like all Sicilian towns, Cefalù also boasts a gastronomic tradition to lick your chops.
Fonte: hitsicily.com
The typical dishes to taste and the local wines to taste are really many but, to be sure, here is a list of those not to be missed:
- argentiera cheese: a typical appetizer of the madonie made of fresh cheese with a side of fresh caciocavallo cheese, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and wine vinegar;
- eggplant caponata: a mix of fried vegetables seasoned with tomato juice, celery, onion, olives and capers in sweet and sour sauce;
- meat walled: a dish of poor origin based on potatoes, tomatoes and aromas, as well as “walled” meat, that is cooked inside a pan with lid;
- Schnitzel vinegar: a recipe reserved for the holidays, made with slices of meat soaked for 10 minutes in vinegar, then floured, beaten egg and breaded with breadcrumbs and Parmesan. They are served after being fried to perfection;
- mussels au gratin: a delicious seafood appetizer, with mussel shells filled with breadcrumbs, parmesan and parsley;
- mint beans: a dish of beans, boiled with celery and garlic and then seasoned with oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and fresh mint;
- swordfish rolls: a typical Sicilian dish, prepared with swordfish slices wrapped and stuffed with capers, olives, tomato and breadcrumbs;
- ricotta balls: they are made by mixing ricotta, egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley and salt, then cooked in tomato sauce;
- parsley risotto: a simple dish to prepare, made with boiled rice and then browned in a pan with garlic, oil and chopped parsley.
To accompany the aforementioned delicacies, you can not miss some really tasty local wines: the Nerello Mascalese Rosé Brut, bright pink color, fruity and fresh; the Frappato Nero d’Avola IGT Terre Siciliane, with an aftertaste of cherry, red fruits and pomegranates; Marsala Superiore Rubino DOC Dolce, with a dark ruby color, with notes of spices and cherries. Drink responsibly and be lulled by a kitchen worthy of the magnificent place where you are.
Copertina: villatravellers
